As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
February 21, 2008
Securities Act Registration No. 333-142859
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-2
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
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PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. |
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POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 |
Tortoise Capital Resources Corporation
10801 Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
(913) 981-1020
Agent For Service
David J. Schulte
10801 Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
Copies of Communications to:
Steven F. Carman, Esq.
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP
4801 Main Street, Suite 1000
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816) 983-8000
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the
following box. þ
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
þ when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c).
The Registrant hereby mends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement
shall become effective on such dates as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to
said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Prospectus dated February 21, 2008
Tortoise
Capital Resources Corporation
3,002,737 Shares of Common Stock
946,254 Warrants to Purchase Shares of Common Stock
946,254 Shares of Common Stock Issuable upon Exercise of the Warrants
We are a non-diversified closed-end management investment company focused on the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. We invest primarily in privately-held and micro-cap public energy
companies operating in the midstream and downstream segments, and to a lesser extent the upstream
segment of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector. Our goal is to provide our stockholders with a
high level of total return, with an emphasis on dividends and dividend growth. We invest primarily
in the equity securities of companies that we expect to pay us distributions on a current basis and
provide us distribution growth. As of January 31, 2008, we have made
investments totaling $_____ million in _____ portfolio companies. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
We are externally managed by Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a registered investment
advisor specializing in the energy sector that had approximately $2.9 billion of assets under
management as of January 31, 2008, including the assets of three other publicly traded closed-end
management investment companies.
This
prospectus relates to (i) the resale of up to 3,002,737 of our common shares, (ii) the
resale of up to 946,254 warrants to purchase our common shares, and (iii) the issuance and sale of
up to 946,254 of our common shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants.
The common shares and warrants offered for resale by this prospectus are offered for the
accounts of the current holders of such common shares and warrants, whom we refer to as the selling
holders. The selling holders may sell, on a continuous basis, the common shares, the warrants and
the common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants directly to purchasers or through
underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions. The common shares and warrants may be sold in one or more transactions
at fixed prices, prevailing market prices at the time of sale, prices related to prevailing market
prices, varying prices determined at the time of sale or negotiated prices. This offering is
occurring pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933. We will update the information in
this prospectus to reflect any material changes occurring prior to the completion of this offering.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the common shares or warrants sold by the selling
holders. We will, however, receive cash consideration equal to the exercise price of $15.00 per
warrant in connection with the exercise of the warrants. We anticipate that the exercise of
warrants will not occur unless the market value of our common shares exceeds the exercise price per
warrant. We have agreed to bear specific expenses in connection with the registration and sale of
the common shares and warrants being offered by the selling holders.
Our
common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol TTO. On January 31, 2008, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the
New York Stock Exchange was $ 12.42. We do not intend to apply to list the
warrants on any national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market. There can be no
assurance that an active public market for the warrants will develop, or if such a market develops,
it will be maintained.
Investing in our common shares and warrants involves risks, including the risk of leverage,
that are described in the Risk Factors section of this
prospectus beginning on page 17.
Please read this prospectus before investing, and keep it for future reference. The prospectus
contains important information about us that a prospective investor should know before investing in
our common shares or warrants. Shares of
closed-end management investment companies have in the past frequently traded at a discount to
their net asset value. If our common shares trade at a discount to net asset value, it may increase
the risk of loss for purchasers in this offering.
We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is available
free of charge by contacting us at 10801 Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210
or by telephone at 1-866-362-9331 or on our website at www.tortoiseadvisors.com/tto.cfm. The
Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such
information. Information posted to our website is not incorporated by reference into this
prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission have
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The
date of this prospectus is February___, 2008.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized any
other person to provide you with different information or to make any representations not contained
in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should
not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the
offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus
is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update the
information in this prospectus to reflect any material changes occurring prior to the completion of
this offering.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should
read carefully the information set forth under Risk Factors and other information included in
this prospectus. The following summary is qualified by the more detailed information and financial
statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the
terms we, us, our, the Company and Tortoise Capital refer to Tortoise Capital Resources
Corporation and its subsidiaries; Tortoise Capital Advisors and the Advisor refer to Tortoise
Capital Advisors, L.L.C.
The Company
We invest primarily in privately-held and micro-cap public energy companies focused on the
midstream and downstream segments, and to a lesser extent the upstream segment of the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector. We believe companies in the energy infrastructure sector generally produce
stable cash flows as a result of their fee-based revenues and limited direct commodity price risk.
Our goal is to provide our stockholders with a high level of total return, with an emphasis on
dividends and dividend growth. We invest primarily in the equity securities of companies that we
expect to pay us distributions on a current basis and provide us distribution growth. These
securities will generally be limited partner interests, including interests in master limited
partnerships (MLPs), and limited liability company interests, and may also include, among others,
general partner interests, common and preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants and
depository receipts of companies that are organized as corporations, limited partnerships or
limited liability companies. We may also invest in the securities of
entities formed as joint ventures with companies in the energy
infrastructure sector to spin off assets deemed to be better suited
for ownership through a separate entity or to construct greenfield
projects.
Unlike most investment companies, we have not elected, and do not
intend to elect, to be treated as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Therefore, we are, and intend to continue to be, obligated to pay federal and applicable state corporate income taxes on our taxable income.
Companies in the midstream segment of the energy infrastructure sector engage in the business
of transporting, processing or storing natural gas, natural gas liquids, coal, crude oil, refined
petroleum products and renewable energy resources. Companies in the downstream segment of the
energy infrastructure sector engage in distributing or marketing such commodities and companies in
the upstream segment of the energy infrastructure sector engage in exploring, developing, managing
or producing such commodities. Under normal conditions, we intend to invest at least 90% of our
total assets (including assets obtained through leverage) in companies in the energy infrastructure
sector. Companies in the energy infrastructure sector include (i) companies that derive a majority
of their revenues from activities within the downstream, midstream and upstream segments of the
energy infrastructure sector, and (ii) companies that derive a majority of their revenues from
providing products or services to such companies. Our investments are expected to range between
$5.0 million and $30.0 million per investment, although investment sizes may be smaller or larger
than this targeted range.
We raised approximately $42.5 million of net proceeds through the private placement of
3,088,596 of our common shares and warrants to purchase 772,124 of our common shares prior to our
initial public offering. We also raised approximately $18.4 million of net proceeds in the private
placement of 1,233,333 shares of our Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase
185,006 of our common shares prior to our initial public offering. Each warrant entitles the holder
thereof to purchase one common share at the exercise price of $15.00
per share and all warrants expire on February 6, 2013. We raised
approximately $79.5 million of net proceeds in our initial public offering on February 7, 2007
through the sale of 5,740,000 of our common shares. We redeemed all of our outstanding Series A
Redeemable Preferred Stock with a portion of the proceeds of our initial public offering. None of
our warrants were redeemed. On April 23, 2007, we entered into a new credit facility with U.S. Bank
National Association (U.S. Bank) as a lender, agent and lead arranger, and Bank of Oklahoma, N.A.
The new credit facility replaces our previous revolving credit
facility with U.S. Bank. On July 18, 2007, the new credit facility was amended to increase the maximum principal
amount of the revolving credit facility from $20 million to $35
million. On September 28, 2007, the credit facility was further
amended to increase the maximum principal amount of the revolving
credit facility from $35.0 million to $40.0 million and include First
National Bank of Kansas as a lender. As of January 31, 2008, we had an
outstanding balance of $____ million
under the new credit facility.
As
of January 31, 2008, we have invested a total of
$____ million in _____ portfolio companies in
the U.S. energy infrastructure sector. Of the $____ million, we
have invested $____ million in the
midstream and downstream segments of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector, $____ million in the
upstream segment of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector and $____ in other segments of the U.S.
energy infrastructure sector.
The
following table summarizes our investments in portfolio companies as
of August 31, 2007. Eagle Rock Energy
Partners, L.P., EV Energy Partners, L.P. and Legacy Reserves L.P. are
publicly-traded. Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. filed for its initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2007.
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Expected
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Company (Segment)
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Principal Business
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Funded Investment
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Yield to Cost
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Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P. (Midstream)
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Gatherer and processor of natural gas in north and east Texas and
Louisiana
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$12.2 million in Common Units
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7.9
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%(1)
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High Sierra Energy, L.P. (Midstream)
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Marketer, processor and transporter of hydrocarbons with
operations primarily in Colorado, Wyoming and Florida
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$24.8 million in Common Units
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9.8
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%(1)
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High Sierra Energy, GP, LLC (Midstream)
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General Partner of High Sierra Energy, L.P.
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$2.4 million in GP Interests
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2.0
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%(3)
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Quest Midstream Partners, L.P. (Midstream)
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Operator of natural gas gathering pipeline network in the
Cherokee Basin of west Texas and New Mexico |
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$22.2 million in Common Units
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9.0
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%(1)
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Millennium Midstream Partners, L.P. (Midstream)
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Gatherer and processor of natural gas in Texas, Louisiana and
offshore Gulf of Mexico
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$17.5 million in Class A Common Units (including Incentive
Distribution Rights)
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8.5
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%(1)
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LONESTAR Midstream Partners, LP (Midstream)
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Gatherer and processor of natural gas in six counties in Texas
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$23.4 million in Class A Common Units
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8.0
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%(1)(4)
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LSMP GP LP (Midstream)
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General Partner of Lonestar Midstream Partners, LP
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$0.5 million in GP LP Units (including GP interest in
Incentive Distribution Rights)
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1.7
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Mowood, LLC (Downstream)
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Natural gas distribution in central
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$1.5 million in LLC Units
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10.6
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%(2)
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Missouri with Department of Defense contract through 2014 and
landfill gas to energy projects
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$7.1 million in unsecured subordinated debt
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12.0
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Legacy Reserves, L.P. (Upstream)
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Oil and natural gas exploitation and development in the Permian
Basin
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$4.5 million in Limited Partner Units
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10.1
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%(1)
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Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. (Upstream)
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Natural gas and oil exploitation and development in the Delaware
and Gulf Coast Basins of Texas
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$7.5 million in Common Units
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9.0
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%(1)
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EV Energy Partners, L.P. (Upstream)
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Acquirer, producer and developer of oil and gas properties
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$7.5 million in Common Units
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6.5
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%(1)
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VantaCore Partners, L.P. (Aggregate)
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Acquirer and operator of aggregate companies with quarry and
asphalt operations in Tennessee |
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$8.5 million in Common Units (including Incentive Distribution
Rights)
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9.5
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%(1)
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$3.8 million in a secured credit facility
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10.7
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%(3)
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International Resource Partners L.P. (Coal)
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Operator of both metallurgical and steam coal mines in Central
Appalachia
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$10.0 million in Class A Common Units
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8.0
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%(1)
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Total Investments
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$153.4
million
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(1) |
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The expected yield to cost has been calculated by
annualizing the most recent or anticipated recurring
distribution and dividing by the amount invested in the
underlying security. Actual distributions to us are based on
each companys available cash flow. Distributions may be
above or below the expected yield to cost and are subject to
change. |
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Represents an equity distribution on our invested capital
equal to 10%.
We expect that, pending cash availability, such equity
distributions will recur on an annual basis at or above such
yield. |
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(3) |
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Floating interest rate |
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(4) |
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Distributions are paid in kind. |
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We are an
externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be
regulated as a business development company (a BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
1940 Act). As a BDC, we are subject to numerous
regulations and restrictions. See Regulation. Unlike
most investment companies, we have not elected, and do not intend to
elect, to be treated as a RIC under the Code. Therefore we are, and intend to continue to be, obligated to pay federal and applicable state corporate income taxes on our taxable income. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Taxation of U.S. Stockholders.
Our Advisor
We are managed by Tortoise Capital Advisors, a registered investment advisor specializing in
the energy sector that had approximately $2.9 billion of assets under
management as of January 31,
2008, including the assets of three other publicly traded closed-end management investment
companies. Our Advisors
aggregate managed capital is among the largest of investment advisors managing closed-end
management investment companies focused on the energy sector. Our advisor also manages the
investments of Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation (TYG), Tortoise Energy
Capital Corporation (TYY), Tortoise North American Energy Corporation (TYN),
Tortoise Total Return Fund, LLC (TTRF) and Tortoise Gas
and Oil Corporation (TGOC).
TYG is a publicly-traded, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company focused primarily on
investing in MLPs in the midstream segment of the energy infrastructure sector. TYY is a publicly-traded,
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company focused primarily on investing in MLPs in the midstream
segment of the energy infrastructure sector. TYN is a publicly-traded, non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company focused primarily on investing in publicly traded upstream Canadian royalty trusts and midstream
and downstream income trusts, and publicly traded U.S. MLPs. TTRF is a privately held, closed-end management
investment company owned primarily by institutions and focused primarily on investing in MLPs in the midstream
segment of the energy infrastructure sector. TGOC is a privately held, closed-end management investment company
focused primarily on investing in companies in the upstream and
midstream gas and oil segments of the energy sector. On October 17,
2007, TGOC filed a registration statement on Form N-2 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to register the initial public offering of its common stock. Our Advisor has limited
experience managing a BDC, which is subject to different regulations than the other closed-end
management investment companies managed by our Advisor.
Our
Advisor has 30 full time employees. Seven of our Advisors investment professionals
are responsible for the origination, negotiation, structuring and managing of our investments.
These seven investment professionals have over 130 years of combined experience in energy,
leveraged finance, investment banking and private equity investing. Each of our Advisors investment decisions will be
reviewed and approved by its investment committee, which also acts as the investment committee for
TYG, TYY, TYN, TTRF and TGOC.
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If TYG,
TYY, TYN, TTRF or TGOC were ever to target investment opportunities
similar to ours, our Advisor intends to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable
manner consistent with our investment objective and strategies and in accordance with written
allocation policies and procedures of our Advisor, so that we will not be disadvantaged in relation
to any other client. See Risk Factors Risks Related to Our Operations.
Our Advisor has retained Kenmont Investments Management, L.P. (Kenmont) as a sub-advisor.
Kenmont is a Houston, Texas based registered investment advisor with experience investing in
privately-held and public companies in the U.S. energy and power sectors. Kenmont provides
additional contacts to us and enhances our number and range of potential investment opportunities.
The principals of Kenmont have collectively created and managed private equity portfolios in excess
of $1.5 billion and have over 50 years of experience working for investment banks, commercial
banks, accounting firms, operating companies and money management firms. Kenmont has no prior
experience managing a BDC. Our Advisor compensates Kenmont for the
services it provides to us. Our Advisor also indemnifies and holds us harmless from any obligation to pay or reimburse Kenmont
for any fees or expenses incurred by Kenmont in providing such services to us. Entities managed by
Kenmont own approximately 7.5% of our outstanding common shares and warrants to purchase an
additional 281,666 of our common shares.
U.S. Energy Infrastructure Sector Focus
We pursue our investment objective by investing principally in a portfolio of privately-held
and micro-cap public companies in the energy infrastructure sector. We focus our investments in the
midstream and downstream segments, and to a lesser extent in the upstream segment, of the energy
infrastructure sector. We also intend to allocate our investments among asset types and geographic
regions within the United States.
We believe that the midstream and downstream segments of the energy infrastructure sector will
provide attractive investment opportunities as a result of the following factors:
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Strong Supply and Demand Fundamentals. The U.S. is the largest consumer of crude oil and
natural gas products, the third largest producer of crude oil and the second largest producer
of natural gas products in the world. The United States Department of Energys Energy
Information Administration, or EIA, projects that domestic natural gas and refined petroleum
products consumption will increase annually by 0.8% and 1.1%, respectively, through 2030. |
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Substantial Capital Requirements. We believe, based on industry sources, that
approximately $20 billion of capital was invested by the midstream segment of the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector during 2006 and that additional capital expenditures will occur in the
future. We also believe that existing downstream infrastructure will require new capital
investment to maintain an aging asset base, as well as to upgrade the asset base to respond
to the evolution of supply and environmental regulations. |
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Substantial Asset Ownership Realignment. We believe that in the midstream and downstream
segments of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector, the acquisition and divestiture market has
averaged approximately $34 billion of annual transactions between 2001 and 2006 and that such
activity, particularly in the midstream segment, will continue. We also believe that the
substantial number of domestic companies in the downstream segment of the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector provides for attractive consolidation opportunities. |
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Renewable Energy Resources Opportunities. We believe that the demand for project financing
relating to renewable energy resources will continue to grow and provide
investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective. |
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Although not part of our core focus, we believe the upstream segment of the energy
infrastructure sector will benefit from strong long-term demand fundamentals and will provide
attractive investment opportunities.
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Market Opportunity
We believe the environment for investing in privately-held and micro-cap public companies in
the energy infrastructure sector is attractive for the following reasons:
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Increased Demand Among Small and Middle Market Private Companies for Capital. We believe
many private and micro-cap public companies have faced increased difficulty accessing the
capital markets due to a continuing preference by investors for issuances in larger companies
with more liquid securities. Such difficulties have been magnified in asset-focused and
capital intensive industries such as the energy infrastructure sector. We believe that the U.S. energy
infrastructure sectors high level of projected capital expenditures and continuing acquisition
and divestiture activity will provide us with numerous attractive investment opportunities. |
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Finance Market for Small and Middle Market Energy Companies is Underserved by Many Capital
Providers. We believe that many lenders have, in recent years, de-emphasized their service
and product offerings to small and middle market energy companies in favor of lending to
large corporate clients and managing capital markets transactions. We believe, in addition,
that many capital providers lack the necessary technical expertise to evaluate the quality of
the underlying assets of small and middle market private companies and micro-cap public
companies in the energy infrastructure sector and lack a network of relationships with such
companies. |
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Attractive Companies with Limited Access to Other Capital. We believe there are, and will
continue to be, attractive companies that will benefit from private equity investments prior
to a public offering of their equity, whether as an MLP or otherwise. We also believe that
there are a number of companies in the midstream and downstream segments of the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector with the same stable cash flow characteristics as those being acquired
by MLPs or funded by private equity capital in anticipation of contribution to an MLP. We
believe that many such companies are not being acquired by MLPs or attracting private equity
capital because they do not produce income that qualifies for inclusion in an MLP pursuant to
the applicable U.S. Federal income tax laws, are perceived by such investors as too small, or
are in areas of the midstream energy infrastructure segment in which most MLPs do not have
specific expertise. We believe that these companies represent attractive investment
candidates for us. |
Competitive Advantages
We believe that we are well positioned to meet the financing needs of companies within the
U.S. energy infrastructure sector for the following reasons:
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Existing Investment Platform and Focus on the Energy Infrastructure Sector. We believe
that our Advisors current investment platform provides us with significant advantages in
sourcing, evaluating, executing and managing investments. Our Advisor specializes in the
energy sector and had approximately $2.9 billion of assets under
management as of January 31, 2008, including the assets of three other publicly traded closed-end management investment companies. Our Advisor
created the first publicly traded closed-end management investment company focused primarily
on investing in MLPs involved in the energy infrastructure sector, and its aggregate managed
capital is among the largest of those closed-end management investment company advisors
focused on the energy infrastructure sector. |
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Experienced Management Team. The members of our Advisors investment
committee have an average of over 20 years of financial investment experience. Our Advisors seven
investment professionals are responsible for the structuring and managing of our
investments and have over 130 years of combined experience in
energy, leveraged finance, investment banking and
private equity investing. We believe that the members of our Advisors investment committee
and the Advisors |
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investment professionals have developed strong reputations in the
capital markets, particularly in the energy infrastructure sector, that we believe affords us
a competitive advantage in identifying and investing in energy infrastructure companies.
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Disciplined Investment Philosophy. In making its investment decisions, our Advisor intends
to continue the disciplined investment approach that it has used since its founding. That
investment approach emphasizes current income with the potential for enhanced returns through
dividend growth, capital appreciation, low volatility and minimization of downside risk. Our
Advisors investment process involves an assessment of the overall attractiveness of the
specific subsector of the energy infrastructure sector in which a prospective portfolio
company is involved; such companys specific competitive position within that subsector;
potential commodity price, supply and demand and regulatory concerns; the stability and
potential growth of the prospective portfolio companys cash flows; the prospective portfolio
companys management track record and incentive structure and our Advisors ability to
structure an attractive investment.
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Flexible Transaction Structuring. We are not subject to many of the regulatory limitations
that govern traditional lending institutions such as commercial banks. As a result, we can be
flexible in structuring investments and selecting the types of securities in which we invest.
Our Advisors investment professionals have substantial experience in structuring
investments that balance the needs of energy infrastructure companies with appropriate risk
control. |
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Extended Investment Horizon. Unlike private equity and venture capital funds, we are not
subject to standard periodic capital return requirements. These provisions often force
private equity and venture capital funds to seek quicker returns on their investments through
mergers, public equity offerings or other liquidity events than may otherwise be desirable,
potentially resulting in both a lower overall return to investors and an adverse impact on
their portfolio companies. We believe our flexibility to make investments with a long-term
view and without the capital return requirements of traditional private investment funds
enhances our ability to generate attractive returns on invested capital. |
Targeted Investment Characteristics
We anticipate that our targeted investments will have the following characteristics:
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Long-Life Assets with Stable Cash Flows and Limited Commodity Price Sensitivity. We
anticipate that most of our investments will be made in companies with assets having the
potential to generate stable cash flows over long periods of time. We intend to invest a
portion of our assets in companies that own and operate assets with long useful lives and
that generate cash flows by providing critical services primarily to the producers or
end-users of energy. We expect to limit the direct exposure to energy commodity price risk in
our portfolio. We intend to target companies that have a majority of their cash flows
generated by contractual obligations. |
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Experienced Management Teams with Energy Infrastructure Focus. We target investments in
companies with management teams that have a track record of success and that often have
substantial knowledge and focus in particular segments of the energy infrastructure sector or
with certain types of assets. We expect that our management teams extensive experience and
network of business relationships in the energy infrastructure sector will allow us to
identify and attract portfolio company management teams that meet these criteria. |
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Fixed Asset-Intensive Investments. We anticipate that most of our investments will be made
in companies with a relatively significant base of fixed assets that we believe will provide
for reduced downside risk compared to making investments in companies with lower relative
fixed asset levels. As fixed asset-intensive companies typically have less variable cost
requirements, we expect they will generate attractive cash flow growth even with limited
demand-driven or supply-driven growth. |
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Limited Technological Risk. We do not intend to target investment opportunities involving
the application of new technologies or significant geological, drilling or development risk. |
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Exit Opportunities. We focus our investments on prospective portfolio companies that we
believe will generate a steady stream of cash flow to generate returns on our investments as
well as allow such companies to reinvest in their respective businesses. We expect that such
internally generated cash flow will lead to distributions or the repayment of the principal
of our investments in portfolio companies and will be a key means by which we monetize our
investments over time. In addition, we seek to invest in companies whose business models and
expected future cash flows offer attractive exit possibilities. These companies include
candidates for strategic acquisition by other industry participants and companies that may
repay, or provide |
6
liquidity for, our investments through an initial public offering of common
stock or other capital markets transactions. We believe our Advisors investment experience
will help us identify such companies.
Corporate Information
Our offices are located at 10801 Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210, our
telephone number is 1-866-362-9331 and our website is www.tortoiseadvisors.com/tto.cfm. Information
posted to our website should not be considered part of this prospectus.
7
THE OFFERING
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Common shares offered by selling holders
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Up to 3,948,991 of our
common shares,
including 946,254
shares issuable to the
selling holders
pursuant to
outstanding warrants. |
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Common shares outstanding after this offering
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Up to 9,788,110 of our
common shares,
including 948,005
shares issuable to the
selling holders
pursuant to
outstanding warrants.
See Description of
Capital Stock. |
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Warrants offered by selling holders
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Up to 946,254 warrants. |
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Exercisability of Warrants
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The warrants are
exercisable at any
time or from time to
time until their
expiration date.
During any period when
this shelf
registration statement
is not effective, U.S.
holders of our
warrants will not be
able to exercise their
warrants unless they
are an accredited
investor, as defined
in the Securities Act,
and make certain
representations to us
in connection with
their exercise. We
cannot assure you that
we will be able to
keep this shelf
registration statement
continuously effective
until all of the
warrants have been
exercised or expired.
Common shares issued
upon exercise of the
warrants at a time
when the shelf
registration statement
is not effective will
be restricted
securities for
purposes of Rule 144
under the Securities
Act and will be
subject to
restrictions on
transfer. See Risk
Factors Risks
Related to this
Offering. |
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Expiration Date of Warrants
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February 6, 2013. |
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Exercise Price of Warrants
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Each warrant entitles
the holder thereof to
purchase one common
share at $15.00 per
share. |
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Listing of Common Shares and Warrants
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Our common shares are
listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under
the symbol TTO.
Currently, no public
market exists for our
warrants. We do not
intend to apply to
list the warrants on
any national
securities exchange or
the Nasdaq National
Market. There can be
no assurance that an
active public market
for the warrants will
develop, or if such a
market develops, it
will be maintained. |
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Use of proceeds
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We will not receive
any proceeds from the
sale of the common
shares or warrants by
the selling holders.
However, upon any
exercise of the
warrants, we will
receive cash
consideration equal to
the exercise price of
$15.00 per warrant. We
anticipate that the
exercise of warrants
will not occur unless
the market value of
our common shares
exceeds the exercise
price per warrant. We
anticipate that
proceeds received by
us from the exercise
of the warrants, if
any, will be used to
retire all or a
portion of our
outstanding balance
under our secured
credit facility with
any remainder used to
fund investments in
prospective portfolio
companies in
accordance with our
investment objective
and strategies
described in this
prospectus, and for
temporary working
capital needs. Pending
such uses and
investments, we expect
to invest the net
proceeds primarily in
cash, cash
equivalents, U.S.
government securities
and other high-quality
debt investments that
mature in one year or
less from the date of
investment. See Use
of Proceeds. |
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Regulatory status
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We have elected to be
regulated as a BDC
under the 1940 Act.
See Election to Be
Regulated as a
Business Development
Company. |
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Distributions
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We intend, subject to
adjustment at the
discretion of our
board of directors,
each quarter to pay
out substantially all
of the amounts we
receive as recurring
cash or paid-in-kind
distributions on
equity securities we
own and interest
payments on debt
securities we own,
less current or
anticipated operating
expenses, current |
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income taxes on our
income and our
leverage costs. On November 12, our Board of Directors declared, and on November 30, 2007 we paid, a $0.23 per share distribution to shareholders of record as of November 23, 2007.
On February 11, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a $0.25 per share dividend to stockholders of
record on February 21, 2008. It is anticipated that the dividend will be distributed on March 3,
2008.
See Price Range of
Common Shares and
Distributions and
Managements
Discussion and
Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results
of Operation
Determining
Distributions to
Stockholders. |
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Taxation
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Unlike most investment
companies, we have not
elected, and do not
intend to elect, to be
treated as a RIC under
the Code. Therefore,
we are, and intend to
continue to be,
obligated to pay
federal and applicable
state corporate income
taxes on our taxable
income. As a result of
not electing to be
treated as a RIC, we
are not subject to the
Codes diversification
rules limiting the
assets in which a RIC
can invest. In
addition, we are not
subject to the Codes
restrictions on the
types of income that a
RIC can recognize
without adversely
affecting its election
to be treated as a
RIC, allowing us the
ability to invest in
operating entities
treated as
partnerships under the
Code, which we believe
provide attractive
investment
opportunities.
Finally, unlike RICs,
we are not effectively
required by the Code
to distribute
substantially all of
our income and capital
gains. Distributions
on the common shares
will be treated first
as taxable dividend
income to the extent
of our current or
accumulated earnings
and profits, then as a
tax free return of
capital to the extent
of a stockholders tax
basis in the common
shares, and last as
capital gain. We
anticipate that the
distributed cash from
our portfolio
investments in
entities treated as
partnerships for tax
purposes will exceed
our share of taxable
income from those
portfolio investments.
Thus, we anticipate
that only a portion of
distributions we make
on the common shares
will be treated as
taxable dividend
income to our
stockholders. If you
are an individual
citizen or resident of
the United States or a
United States estate
or trust for U.S.
federal income tax
purposes and meet
certain holding period
and other applicable
requirements, the
portion of such
distributions treated
as taxable dividend
income will be
qualified dividend
income currently
subject to a maximum
15% U.S. federal
income tax rate. See
Certain U.S. Federal
Income Tax
Considerations
Taxation of U.S.
Stockholders. |
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Investment advisor
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Tortoise Capital
Advisors, a Delaware
limited liability
company and registered
investment adviser,
serves as our
investment advisor.
See Portfolio
Management,
Management and
Advisor. |
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Fees
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Pursuant to our
investment advisory
agreement, we pay our
Advisor a fee
consisting of two
components a base
management fee and an
incentive fee. The
base management fee
commenced on December
8, 2005, is paid
quarterly in arrears,
and is equal to 0.375%
(1.5% annualized) of
our average monthly
Managed Assets (our
total assets,
including any assets
purchased with or
attributable to any
borrowed funds, minus
accrued liabilities
other than (1)
deferred taxes and (2)
debt entered into for
the purpose of
leverage). |
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The incentive fee
consists of two parts.
The first part, the
investment income fee,
is calculated and
payable quarterly in
arrears and will equal
15% of the excess, if
any, of our net
investment income for
the quarter over a
quarterly hurdle rate
equal to 2% (8%
annualized) of our
average monthly net
assets. |
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The second part of the
incentive fee, the
capital gains fee,
will be determined and
payable in arrears as
of the end of each
fiscal year (or, upon
termination of the
investment advisory
agreement, as of the
termination date), and
will equal (i) 15% of
(a) our net realized
capital gains on a
cumulative basis from
the commencement of
our operations on
December 8, 2005 to
the end of each fiscal |
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year, less (b) any
unrealized capital
depreciation at the
end of such fiscal
year, less (ii) the
aggregate amount of
all capital gains fees
paid to our Advisor in
prior years.
During the fiscal year
ended November 30,
2007, we accrued
$ as a
provision for capital
gains incentive fees.
The provision for
capital gains
incentive fees
resulted from the
increase in fair value
and unrealized
appreciation on
investments. Pursuant
to the investment
advisory agreement,
the capital gains
incentive fee is paid
annually only if there
are realization events
and only if the
calculation defined in
the agreement results
in an amount due. As
of November 30, 2007, no capital gains fee
payments have been
made, or are due to,
our Advisor.
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See
Advisor Investment
Advisory Agreement,
which also contains a
discussion of our
expenses. In November 2007, our Advisor agreed to reimburse us an
amount equal to 0.25% of our average monthly Managed Assets on a
quarterly basis beginning September 1, 2007 and ending December 31,
2008. The Advisor also agreed to terminate its right to receive the capital gains incentive fee described above, to the extent such fee would be due as to that portion of any scheduled periodic distributions made possible by the normally recurring cash flow from the operations of our portfolio companies
(Expected Distributions) that is characterized by us as
a return of capital for book purposes. This does not apply to any portion of any distribution from a portfolio company that is not an Expected Distribution.
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Sub-advisor
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Kenmont Investment
Management, L.P.
serves as our
sub-advisor. Kenmont
is a Houston, Texas
based registered
investment advisor
with experience
investing in
privately-held and
public companies in
the U.S. energy and
power sectors.
Pursuant to the
sub-advisory agreement
between Kenmont and
our Advisor, our
Advisor pays Kenmont a
portion of the fee it
receives from us. See
Advisor Sub-Advisor
Arrangement. |
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Leverage
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We have and may borrow
funds to make
investments, and we
have and may grant a
security interest in
our assets in
connection with such
borrowings, including
any borrowings by any
of our subsidiaries.
We use this practice,
which is known as
leverage, to attempt
to increase returns to
our stockholders.
However, leverage
involves significant
risks and the costs of
any leverage
transactions will be
borne by our
stockholders. See
Risk Factors. With
certain limited
exceptions, we are
only allowed to borrow
amounts such that our
asset coverage, as
defined in the 1940
Act, equals at least
200% after such
borrowing. The amount
of leverage that we
may employ will depend
on our assessment of
market conditions and
other factors at the
time of any proposed
borrowing. |
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On April 23, 2007, we
entered into a new
credit facility with
U.S. Bank as a lender,
agent and lead
arranger, and Bank of
Oklahoma, N.A. The new
credit facility
replaces our previous
revolving credit
facility with U.S.
Bank. On July 18, 2007, the new credit facility was amended to increase the maximum principal
amount of the revolving credit facility from $20 million to $35 million. On September 28, 2007, the credit facility was further amended to increase the maximum
principal amount of the revolving credit facility from $35.0 million to $40.0 million and include
First National Bank of Kansas as a lender.
As
of January 31, 2008, we
had an outstanding
balance of $____
million under the new
credit facility. See
Managements
Discussion and
Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results
of Operations
Liquidity and Capital
Resources and
Managements
Discussion and
Analysis of Financial
Conditions and Result
of Operations
Borrowings and
Managements
Discussion and
Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results
of Operations Senior
Securities. |
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Dividend reinvestment plan
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We have an opt out
dividend reinvestment
plan. As a result, if
we declare a
distribution,
stockholders cash
distributions will be
automatically
reinvested in
additional common
shares, unless they
specifically opt out
of the dividend
reinvestment plan so
as to receive cash
distributions.
Stockholders who
receive distributions
in the form of common
shares will generally
be subject to the same
federal, state and
local tax consequences
as stockholders who
elect to receive their
distributions in cash.
See Dividend
Reinvestment Plan and
Certain U.S. Federal
Income Tax
Considerations
Taxation of U.S.
Stockholders. |
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Trading at a discount
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Shares of closed-end
investment companies
frequently trade at a
discount to their net
asset value. The
possibility that our
common shares may
trade at a discount to |
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our net asset value is
separate and distinct
from the risk that our
net asset value per
share may decline. Our
net asset value
immediately following
this offering will
reflect reductions
resulting from the
amount of the offering
expenses paid. This
risk may have a
greater effect on
investors expecting to
sell their shares soon
after completion of
this offering. We
generally may not
issue additional
common shares at a
price below our net
asset value (net of
any sales load
(underwriting
discount)) without
first obtaining
approval of our
stockholders and board
of directors. Our
stockholders granted
us the authority to
sell our common shares
below net asset value,
subject to certain
conditions, through December 20,
2007, and we anticipate seeking approval to sell our common shares below net asset value at our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders.
See Determination of Net Asset Value Determinations in Connection with Offerings.
We cannot
predict whether our
common shares will
trade above, at, or
below net asset value. |
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Dilution
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The issuance of
additional common
shares upon the
exercise of the
warrants registered
for resale by this
prospectus, if the
warrants are exercised
at a time when the
exercise price of
$15.00 per warrant is
less than the net
asset value per share
of our common shares,
will have a dilutive
effect on the value of
our common shares. In
addition, if we sell
our common shares
below net asset value,
our net asset value
will decrease
immediately following
such issuance. Our
stockholders granted
us authority to sell
our common shares
below net asset value,
subject to certain
conditions,
through December 20,
2007, and we anticipate seeking approval to sell our common shares below net asset value at our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders. |
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Anti-takeover provisions
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Our board of directors
is divided into three
classes of directors
serving staggered
three-year terms. This
structure is intended
to provide us with a
greater likelihood of
continuity of
management, which may
be necessary for us to
realize the full value
of our investments. A
staggered board of
directors also may
deter hostile
takeovers or proxy
contests, as may
certain provisions of
Maryland law, our
Charter or Bylaws or
other measures adopted
by us. These
provisions or measures |
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also may limit the
ability of our
stockholders to sell
their shares at a
premium over
then-current market
prices by discouraging
a third party from
seeking to obtain
control of us. See
Certain Provisions of
Our Charter and Bylaws
and the Maryland
General Corporation
Law. |
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Risk factors
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Investing in our
common shares or
warrants involves
certain risks relating
to our structure and
our investment
objective that you
should consider before
deciding whether to
invest in our common
shares and warrants.
In addition, we expect
that our portfolio
will consist primarily
of securities issued
by privately-held
energy infrastructure
companies. These
investments may
involve a high degree
of business and
financial risk, and
they are generally
illiquid. Our
portfolio companies
typically will require
additional outside
capital beyond our
investment in order to
succeed. A large
number of entities
compete for the same
kind of investment
opportunities as we
seek. We borrow funds
to make our
investments in
portfolio companies.
As a result, we are
and will be exposed to
the risks of leverage,
which may be
considered a
speculative investment
technique. Borrowings
magnify the potential
for gain and loss on
amounts invested and,
therefore, increase
the risks associated
with investing in our
common shares and
warrants. |
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Also, we are subject
to certain risks
associated with
valuing our portfolio,
changing interest
rates, accessing
additional capital,
fluctuating quarterly
results and operating
in a regulated
environment. See Risk
Factors for a
discussion of factors
you should carefully
consider before
deciding whether to
invest in our common
shares. |
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Available information
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We have filed with the
Securities and
Exchange Commission,
or SEC, a registration
statement on Form N-2,
including any
amendments thereto and
related exhibits,
under the Securities
Act of 1933, which we
refer to as the |
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Securities Act, with
respect to our common
shares offered by this
prospectus. The
registration statement
contains additional
information about us
and our common shares
and warrants being
offered by this
prospectus. |
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Our common shares are
registered under the
Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, which we
refer to as the
Exchange Act, and we
are required to file
reports, proxy
statements and other
information with the
SEC. This information
may be obtained free
of charge by
contacting us at 10801
Mastin Boulevard,
Suite 222, Overland
Park, Kansas 66210 or
by telephone at
1-866-362-9331 or on
our website at
www.tortoiseadvisors.com/tto.cfm and is also
available at the SECs
public reference room
at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C.
20549. You may obtain
information about the
operation of the SECs
public reference room
by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. In
addition, the SEC
maintains an Internet
website, at
http://www.sec.gov,
that contains reports,
proxy and information
statements, and other
information regarding
issuers, including us,
that file documents
electronically with
the SEC. Information
posted to our website
is not incorporated by
reference into this
prospectus. |
12
FEES AND EXPENSES
The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses
that an investor in this offering will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that the
percentages in the table below indicating annual expenses are estimates and may vary.
Stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares):
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Sales load |
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0.00 |
% |
Offering expenses |
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%(1) |
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Dividend reinvestment plan expenses |
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0.00 |
%(2) |
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Total stockholder transaction expenses paid |
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% |
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Annual expenses following this offering (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares)(3): |
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Management fee payable under investment advisory agreement |
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%(4) |
Incentive fees payable under investment advisory agreement |
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%(5) |
Interest payments on borrowed funds |
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%(6) |
Other expenses |
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%(7) |
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Current
income tax expense |
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% |
Deferred
income tax expense |
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%(8) |
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Total annual
expenses |
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%(9) |
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Example
The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses
that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common
shares. These amounts are based upon assumed offering expenses of ____% and our payment of annual
operating expenses at the levels set forth in the table above except
as indicated below.
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1 Year |
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3 Years |
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5 Years |
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10 Years |
You would pay the
following expenses
on a $1,000
investment,
assuming a 5%
annual return |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of
our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, while
the example assumes, as required by the applicable rules of the SEC, a 5% annual return, our
performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than
5%. A 5% annual return will not require payment of an incentive fee
to our Advisor based on Net Investment Income, and thus no income
incentive fee is included in this example. A 5% annual return may
not, depending on the percentage of such return comprised of capital gains, require payment
of a capital gains incentive fee to our Advisor. We have assumed the
entire 5% annual return is comprised of capital gains and thus
included a capital gains incentive fee in this example. See Advisor Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation for
additional information concerning incentive fee calculations. In addition, while the example
assumes reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend
reinvestment plan may receive common shares valued at the market price in effect at that time. This
price may be at, above or below net asset value. See Dividend Reinvestment Plan for additional
information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.
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(1) |
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The percentage reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $ . |
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(2) |
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The expenses associated with the administration of our dividend reinvestment
plan are included in Other expenses. The participants in our dividend
reinvestment plan will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions
incurred with respect to open market purchases, if any, made by the Plan
Agent under the Plan. For more details about the plan, see Dividend
Reinvestment Plan.
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(3) |
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Net assets attributable to common shares equals net assets (i.e., total
assets less total liabilities and the aggregate liquidation preference of
any outstanding shares of preferred stock) of (i) approximately $ million
at November 30, 2007, plus (ii) investments of $ valued at their purchase
price, and (iii) reflecting leverage of approximately $ million
determined using the assumptions set forth in footnote (6) below. |
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(4) |
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Although our management fee is 1.5% (annualized) of our average monthly
Managed Assets, the table above reflects expenses as a percentage of net
assets. Managed Assets means total assets (including any assets purchased
with any borrowed funds) minus accrued liabilities other than (i) deferred
taxes and (ii) debt entered into for the purpose of leverage. Net assets is
Managed Assets minus deferred taxes, debt entered into for the purposes of
leverage and the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding
preferred shares. See Advisor Investment Advisory Agreement Management
Fee. |
13
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(5) |
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We pay our Advisor a fee consisting of two components a base management
fee and an incentive fee. The base management fee is paid quarterly in
arrears and is equal to 0.375% (1.5% annualized) of our average monthly
Managed Assets for such quarter. The incentive fee consists of two parts.
The first part, the investment income fee, is calculated and payable
quarterly in arrears and will equal 15% of the excess, if any, of our Net
Investment Income for the fiscal quarter over a quarterly hurdle rate equal
to 2% (8% annualized) of our average monthly Net Assets for the quarter. For
purposes of calculating the investment income fee, Net Investment Income
means interest income (including accrued interest that we have not yet
received in cash), dividend and distribution income from equity investments
(but excluding that portion of cash distributions that are treated as return
of capital), and any other income (including any fees such as commitment,
origination, syndication, structuring, diligence, monitoring, and consulting
fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during
the fiscal quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including
the base management fee, expenses payable by us, any interest expense, any
accrued income taxes related to Net Investment Income and dividends paid on
issued and outstanding preferred stock, if any, but excluding the incentive
fees payable to our Advisor). No investment income fee was paid or earned
prior to December 8, 2006. The second part of the incentive fee, the capital
gains fee, will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each
fiscal year (or upon termination of the investment advisory agreement, as of
the termination date), and will equal (i) 15% of (a) our net realized
capital gains, excluding the impact of current and deferred income taxes, on
a cumulative basis from the commencement of our operations on December 8,
2005 to the end of each fiscal year, less (b) any unrealized capital
depreciation, excluding the impact of deferred income taxes, at the end of
such fiscal year, less (ii) the aggregate amount of all capital gains fees
paid to our Advisor in prior years. During the fiscal year ended
November 30, 2007, we accrued $ as a provision for
capital gains incentive fees. The provision for capital gains incentive fees
resulted from the increase in fair value and unrealized appreciation on
investments. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the capital gains incentive
fee is paid annually only if there are realization events and only if the
calculation defined in the agreement results in an amount due. We may have
capital gains and interest income that could result in the payment of an
incentive fee to our Advisor in the first year after completion of this
offering. Although we cannot predict whether we will meet the necessary
performance targets, we have assumed $ as a provision for
capital gains incentive fees in this table. |
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In November 2007, our Advisor agreed to reimburse us an amount
equal to 0.25% of our average monthly Managed Assets on a quarterly basis
beginning September 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2008. The Advisor also
agreed to terminate its right to receive the capital gains
incentive fee described above, to the extent such fee would be due as to that
portion of any scheduled periodic distributions made possible by the normally
recurring cash flow from the operations of our portfolio companies
(Expected Distributions) that is characterized by us as a return
of capital for book purposes. This does not apply to any portion of any distribution
from a portfolio company that is not an Expected Distribution.
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(6) |
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We intend to borrow funds to make investments to the extent we determine
that additional capital would allow us to take advantage of additional
investment opportunities or if the market for debt financing presents
attractively priced debt financing opportunities, and, in either case, if
our board of directors determines that leveraging our portfolio would be in
our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. On April 25,
2007, we entered into a new credit facility with U.S. Bank as a lender,
agent and lead arranger, and Bank of Oklahoma, N.A. The new credit facility
replaces our previous revolving credit facility with U.S. Bank. On
July 18, 2007, the new credit facility was amended to increase the maximum principal amount of the revolving credit facility from $20 million to $35 million.
On September 28, 2007, the credit facility was further amended to increase the maximum
principal amount of the revolving credit facility from $35.0 million to $40.0 million and include
First National Bank of Kansas as a lender.
As of January 31, 2008, we had
an outstanding balance under the new credit facility of $ million. The
table above assumes we borrow for investment purposes an amount equal to
25.0% of our total assets (including such borrowed funds) and that the
annual interest rate on the amount borrowed is 7%. |
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(7) |
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Other expenses includes our estimated overhead expenses, including payments to our transfer
agent, our administrative agent and legal and accounting expenses. The holders of our common shares indirectly bear the cost associated with such other
expenses. |
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(8) |
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For our fiscal year ended November 30, 2007, we accrued
$ in net deferred tax expense related to our net investment
income and unrealized gains. Deferred income tax expense represents
an estimate of our potential tax liability if we were to recognize
the unrealized appreciation of our portfolio assets which ocurred
during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007, based on the market
value and tax basis of our assets as of November 30, 2007. Actual
income tax expense (if any) will be incurred over many years,
depending on if and when investment gains are realized, the
then-current tax basis of assets, the level of net loss carryforwards
(if any) and other factors. |
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(9) |
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The table presented above
estimates what our annual expenses would be, stated as a percentage of our
net assets attributable to our common shares. The table presented below, unlike the
table presented above, estimates what our annual expenses would
be stated as a percentage of our Managed Assets and excludes
current and deferred income tax expenses. In addition, the table
presented below, unlike the table presented above, excludes
incentive fees as we cannot predict whether we will meet the
necessary performance targets to earn such fees. As a result,
our estimated total annual expenses would be as follows: |
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Management fee
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%
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Interest payments on borrowed funds(a)
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Other expenses(b)
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%
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Total annual expenses (excluding incentive fees and current and
deferred income tax expenses)
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%
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(a) |
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We borrow funds to make investments to the extent we determine
that additional capital would allow us to take advantage of
additional investment opportunities or if the market for debt
financing presents attractively priced debt financing
opportunities, and, in either case, if our board of directors
determines that leveraging our portfolio would be in our best
interests and the best interests of our stockholders. On
April 25, 2007, we entered into a credit facility with U.S.
Bank as a lender, agent and lead arranger, and Bank of Oklahoma,
N.A. The credit facility replaced our previous revolving credit
facility with U.S. Bank. On July 18, 2007, the credit
facility was further amended to increase the maximum principal amount of
the revolving credit facility from $20.0 million to
$35.0 million. On September 28, 2007, the credit
facility was further amended to increase the maximum principal amount of
the revolving credit facility from $35.0 million to $40.0
million and include First National Bank of Kansas as a lender. As
of January 31, 2008, we had an outstanding
balance of $ million under
the credit facility. The table above assumes we borrow for investment purposes an amount equal to 25.0% of our total
assets (including such borrowed funds) and that the annual
interest rate on the amount borrowed is 7.0%. The funds we
borrow under the credit facility accrue interest at a rate equal
to 1.75% plus the one month LIBOR quoted by U.S. bank from
Telerate Page 3750, which interest rate
was % as of
January 31, 2008. |
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(b) |
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Other expenses includes our estimated overhead
expenses, including payments to our transfer agent, our
administrative agent and legal and accounting expenses. The
holders of our common shares indirectly bear the cost associated
with such other expenses. |
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Example
The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses
that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common
shares. These amounts are based upon assumed offering expenses of ____% and our payment of annual
operating expenses (excluding incentive fees payable under the
investment advisory agreement and current and deferred income tax
expenses) at the levels set forth in the table above.
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1 Year |
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3 Years |
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5 Years |
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10 Years |
You would pay the
following expenses
on a $1,000
investment,
assuming a 5%
annual return |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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14
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
[TO BE INCLUDED IN A SUBSEQUENT PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT]
15
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The matters discussed in this prospectus, as well as in future oral and written statements by
our management, that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations
that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. We
generally identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, will, should,
expects, plans, anticipates, could, intends, target, projects, contemplates,
believes, estimates, predicts, potential, or continue or the negative of these terms or
other similar words. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new investments,
achieve certain levels of return, the availability of additional capital, and the ability to
maintain certain debt to asset ratios. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of
a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus should not be regarded as a
representation by us that our plans or objectives will be achieved. The forward-looking statements
contained in this prospectus include statements as to:
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our future operating results; |
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our business prospects and the prospects of our existing and prospective portfolio companies; |
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the impact of investments that we expect to make; |
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our informal relationships with third parties; |
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the dependence of our future success on the general economy and the domestic energy infrastructure sector; |
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the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives; |
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our ability to make investments consistent with our investment objective, including with
respect to the size, nature and terms of our investments; |
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our expected financings; |
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our regulatory structure; |
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our ability to operate as a business development company; |
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the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital and our anticipated use of proceeds; |
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the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies; |
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our ability to cause a subsidiary to become a licensed Small Business Investment Company; and |
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the size or growth prospects of the energy infrastructure sector or any category thereof. |
For a discussion of factors that could cause our actual results to differ from forward-looking
statements contained in this prospectus, please see the discussion under Risk Factors. You should
not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made
in this prospectus relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We
undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances
occurring after the date of this prospectus. The forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933.
16
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common shares or warrants should not constitute a complete investment
program for any investor and involves a high degree of risk. Due to the uncertainty in our
investments, there can be no assurance that we will achieve our investment objective. You should
carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision.
Risks Related to Our Operations
We are a new company with limited operating history.
We were incorporated in Maryland on September 8, 2005. We are subject to all of the business
risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that we will not
achieve our investment objective and that the value of an investment in our common shares or
warrants could decline substantially.
Our Advisor will serve as investment advisor to other funds,
which may create conflicts of interest not in the best interest of us or our stockholders.
Our
Advisor was formed in October 2002 and has been managing investments in portfolios of MLPs
securities in the energy sector since that time, including management of the investments of
TYG since February 27, 2004, TYY since May 31, 2005,
TYN since October 31, 2005, TTRF since June 2007, and TGOC since July 2007. From time to
time the Advisor may pursue areas of investments in which the Advisor has more limited experience.
Our investment committee is the same for, and all of our Advisors employees provide services for,
other funds managed by the Advisor. Our Advisors services under the investment advisory agreement
are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish the same or similar services to other entities,
including businesses that may directly or indirectly compete with us so long as its services to us
are not impaired by the provision of such services to others. In addition, the other funds and
private accounts managed by our Advisor may make investments similar to investments that we may
pursue. Unlike the other funds managed by our Advisor (other than one of the two privately held
closed-end investment companies), we generally target investments in companies that are
privately-held or have capitalizations of less than $250 million, and that are earlier in their
stage of development. We also focus on privately-held and micro-cap public energy companies
operating in the midstream and downstream segment, and to a lesser extent the upstream segment, of
the U.S. energy infrastructure sector. One of the two privately held closed-end investment
companies managed by the Advisor focuses on privately-held companies and publicly traded MLPs in
the upstream, and to a lesser extent the midstream, gas and oil segments of the energy sector and
could contemplate an investment that falls within our investment focus. Accordingly, our Advisor
and the members of its investment committee may have obligations to other investors, the
fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders, and it is
possible that our Advisor might allocate investment opportunities to other entities, limiting
attractive investment opportunities available to us. However, our Advisor intends to allocate
investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner consistent with our investment objectives
and strategies, and in accordance with written allocation policies and procedures of our Advisor,
so that we will not be disadvantaged in relation to any other client.
We are dependent upon our Advisors key personnel for our future success.
We depend on the diligence, expertise and business relationships of the senior management of
our Advisor. Our Advisors investment professionals and senior management will evaluate,
negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments. Our future success will depend on the
continued service of the senior management team of our Advisor. The
departure of one or more investment professionals of our Advisor could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our
investment objective and on the value of our common shares and warrants. We will rely on certain
employees of the Advisor who will be devoting significant
amounts of their time to non-Company related activities of the Advisor. To the extent employees of the Advisor who are not committed exclusively to us are
unable to, or do not, devote sufficient amounts of their time and energy to our affairs, our
performance may suffer.
17
The incentive fee payable to our Advisor may create conflicting incentives.
The incentive fee payable by us to our Advisor may create an incentive for our Advisor to make
investments on our behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the
absence of such a compensation arrangement. Because a portion of the incentive fee payable to our
Advisor is calculated as a percentage of the amount of our net investment income that exceeds a
hurdle rate, our Advisor may imprudently use leverage to increase the return on our investments.
Under some circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would
disfavor the holders of our common shares. In addition, our Advisor will receive an incentive fee
based, in part, upon net realized capital gains on our investments. Unlike the portion of the
incentive fee based on net investment income, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of
the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, our Advisor may have an incentive to
pursue investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing
securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative or long term
securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses,
particularly during economic downturns or longer return cycles.
We may be required to pay an incentive fee even in a fiscal quarter in which we have incurred
a loss. For example, if we have pre-incentive fee net investment income above the hurdle rate and
realized capital losses, we will be required to pay the investment income portion of the incentive
fee.
The investment income portion of the incentive fee payable by us will be computed and paid on
income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash, and the
collection of which is uncertain or deferred. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is
structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the
calculation of the investment income portion of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. Our
Advisor will not be required to reimburse us for any such incentive fee payments.
Our Advisor has limited experience in managing a BDC.
Our Advisor has limited experience in managing or serving as investment advisor to a BDC.
Additionally, the time required to maintain a BDC could distract our Advisor from its other duties.
See Regulation.
If we distribute substantially all of our income to our stockholders, we will continue to need
additional capital to finance our growth. If additional funds are unavailable or not available on
favorable terms, our ability to grow and execute our business plan will be impaired.
Our business will require a substantial amount of capital if we distribute substantially all
of our income to our stockholders and we are to grow. We may acquire additional capital from the
issuance of securities senior to our common shares, including
additional borrowings or the issuance of additional senior securities. We may also acquire additional capital
through the issuance of additional equity. However, we may not be able to raise additional capital
in the future on favorable terms or at all. Our new credit facility contains a covenant precluding
us from incurring additional debt. We may issue debt securities, other instruments of indebtedness
or preferred stock, and we intend to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which
we refer to collectively as senior securities, up to the
maximum amount permitted by the terms of our credit facility and the 1940
Act. The 1940 Act permits us to issue senior securities in amounts such that our asset coverage, as
defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after each issuance of senior securities. Our ability
to pay distributions or issue additional senior securities is restricted if our asset coverage
ratio is not at least 200%, or put another way, the value of our assets (less all liabilities and
indebtedness not represented by senior securities) must be at least twice that of any outstanding
senior securities (plus the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference of any preferred stock).
If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may
be required to liquidate a portion of our investments and repay a portion of our indebtedness at a
time when such sales may be disadvantageous. As a result of issuing senior securities, we will also
be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including increased risk of loss. If we issue
preferred securities which will rank senior to our common shares in our capital structure, the
holders of such preferred securities may have separate voting rights and other rights, preferences
or privileges more favorable than those of our common shares, and the issuance of such preferred
securities could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of
control that might involve a premium price for securityholders or otherwise be in our best
interest.
To the extent our ability to issue debt or other senior securities is constrained, we will
depend on issuances of additional common shares to finance our operations. As a BDC, we generally
are not be able to issue additional common shares at a price below net asset value (net of any
sales load (underwriting discount)) without first obtaining required approvals of our stockholders
and our independent directors which could constrain our ability to issue additional equity. Our
stockholders granted us the authority to sell our common shares below net asset value, subject to
certain conditions, through December 20, 2007, and we anticipate seeking approval to sell our common shares below net asset value at our 2008
annual meeting of stockholders.
If we raise
18
additional funds by issuing more of our common shares or senior securities convertible into,
or exchangeable for, our common shares, the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time
would decrease, and you may experience dilution.
As a BDC, we are subject to limitations on our ability to engage in certain transactions with
affiliates.
As a BDC, we are prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain
transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors or the
SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities
is our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act and we are generally prohibited from buying or
selling any security from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our independent
directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits joint transactions with an affiliate, which could include
investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior
approval of our independent directors. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities,
we will be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person, or entering into
joint transactions with such person, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Our Advisor and TYG have
previously applied to the SEC for exemptive relief to permit TYG, TYY, TYN and other clients of our
Advisor, including us, to co-invest in negotiated private placements of securities. Unless and
until such an exemptive order is obtained, we will not co-invest with affiliates in negotiated
private placement transactions.
If our investments are deemed not to be qualifying assets, we could lose our status as a BDC or be
precluded from investing according to our current business plan.
As a BDC, we must not acquire any assets other than qualifying assets unless, at the time of
and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying
assets. If our investments are deemed not to be qualifying assets, our status as a BDC may be
jeopardized or we may be precluded from investing in the manner described in this prospectus,
either of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations. We also may be required to dispose of investments, which could have a
material adverse effect on us and our stockholders, because even if we were successful in finding a
buyer, we may have difficulty in finding a buyer to purchase such investments on favorable terms or
in a sufficient time frame.
We may choose to invest a portion of our portfolio in investments that may be considered highly
speculative and that could negatively impact our ability to pay distributions and cause you to
lose part of your investment.
The 1940 Act permits a BDC to invest up to 30% of its assets in investments that do not meet
the test for qualifying assets. Such investments may be made by us with the expectation of
achieving a higher rate of return or increased cash flow with a portion of our portfolio and may
fall outside of our targeted investment criteria. These investments may be made even though they
may expose us to greater risks than our other investments and may consequently expose our portfolio
to more significant losses than may arise from our other investments. We may invest up to 30% of
our total assets in assets that are non qualifying assets in among other things, high yield bonds,
bridge loans, distressed debt, commercial loans, private equity, and securities of public companies
or secondary market purchases of securities of target portfolio companies. Such investments could
impact negatively our ability to pay you distributions and cause you to lose part of your
investment.
Our debt increases the risk of investing in us.
On
April 23, 2007, we entered into a new credit facility that replaces our
previous revolving credit facility. On July 18, 2007, the new credit
facility was amended to increase the maximum principal amount of the revolving credit facility from $20 million to $35 million. On September 28, 2007, the credit facility was further amended to increase the maximum
principal amount of the revolving credit facility from $35.0 million to $40.0 million and include
First National Bank of Kansas as a lender.
As of January 31, 2008,
we had an outstanding balance of $____ million under the new credit facility. The new credit
facility precludes us from incurring additional debt and we may face liquidity constraints as a
result. We may in the future incur incremental debt to increase our ability to make investments.
Lenders from whom we may borrow money or holders of our debt securities will have fixed dollar
claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our stockholders, and we have and may grant
a security interest in our assets in connection with our debt. In the case of a liquidation event,
those lenders or note holders would receive proceeds before our stockholders. In addition, debt,
also known as leverage, magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and,
therefore, increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. Leverage is generally
considered a speculative investment technique and the costs of any leverage transactions will be
borne by our stockholders. In addition, because the base management fee we pay to our Advisor is
based on Managed Assets (which includes any assets purchased with borrowed funds), our Advisor may
imprudently borrow funds in an attempt to increase our managed assets and in conflict with our or
our stockholders best interests. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause
the net asset value attributable to our common shares to increase more than it otherwise would have
had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause the
net asset value attributable to our common shares to decline more than it otherwise would have had
we not leveraged. Similarly, any increase in our revenue in excess of interest expense on our
borrowed funds would cause our net income to increase more than it would without
19
the leverage. Any decrease in our revenue would cause our net income to decline more than it
would have had we not borrowed funds and could negatively affect our ability to make distributions
on our common shares. Our ability to service any debt that we incur will depend largely on our
financial performance and the performance of our portfolio companies and will be subject to
prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures.
Illustration. The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an
investment in our common shares assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations
in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing
in the table below.
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Assumed Return on our Portfolio |
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(net of expenses) |
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-10% |
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-5% |
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0% |
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5% |
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10% |
Corresponding
return to
stockholder(1) |
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% |
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(1) |
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Assumes
$ in total assets, $ debt
outstanding, $ in stockholders equity and an
average cost of funds of %. Actual interest payments may be
different. |
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We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.
We compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks and commercial
financing companies to make the types of investments that we plan to make in the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably
greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us. For example, some competitors may
have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition,
some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, allowing
them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us.
Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940
Act imposes on us as a BDC.
Our quarterly results may fluctuate.
We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of
factors, including the return on our equity investments, the interest rates payable on our debt
investments, the default rates on such investments, the level of our expenses, variations in and
the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we
encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors,
results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future
periods.
Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies.
We currently have investments in a limited number of portfolio companies. One or two of our
portfolio companies may constitute a significant percentage of our total portfolio. An inherent
risk associated with this investment concentration is that we may be adversely affected if one or
two of our investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment.
Financial difficulty on the part of any single portfolio company will expose us to a greater risk
of loss than would be the case if we were a diversified company holding numerous investments.
Our investments in privately-held companies present certain challenges, including the
lack of available information about these companies and a greater inability to liquidate our
investments in an advantageous manner.
We primarily make investments in privately-held companies. Generally, little public
information will exist about these companies, and we will be required to rely on the ability of our
Advisor to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential risks and returns involved in
investing in these companies. If our Advisor is unable to obtain all material information about
these companies, including with respect to operational, regulatory, environmental, litigation and
managerial risks, our Advisor may not make a fully-informed investment decision, and we may lose
some or all of the money invested in these companies. In addition, our Advisor may inappropriately
value the prospects of an investment, causing us to overpay for such investment and fail to receive
an expected or projected return on its investment. Substantially all of these securities will be
subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly
traded securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell such
investments at advantageous times and prices or in a timely manner. In addition, if we are required
to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the
value at which we previously have recorded our investments. We also may
20
face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to
the extent that we or one of our affiliates have material non-public information regarding such
portfolio company.
Most of our portfolio investments are and will continue to be recorded at fair value as determined
in good faith by our board of directors. As a result, there is and will continue to be uncertainty
as to the value of our portfolio investments.
Most of our investments are and will be in the form of
securities or loans that are not publicly traded. The fair value
of these investments may not be readily determinable. We will
value these investments quarterly at fair value as determined in
good faith by our board of directors. We have retained Duff & Phelps, LLC (an independent
valuation firm) to provide third party valuation consulting
services which consists of certain limited procedures that our
board of directors has identified and requested they perform.
For the quarter ended November 30, 2007, our board of
directors requested Duff & Phelps, LLC to perform the
limited procedures on investments in
portfolio companies
comprising approximately
percent of the total
investments at fair value as of November 30, 2007.
Duff & Phelps, LLCs limited procedures did not
involve an audit, review, compilation or any other form of
examination or attestation under generally accepted auditing
standards. Upon completion of the limited procedures,
Duff & Phelps, LLC concluded that the fair value of
the investments subjected to the limited procedures did not
appear to be unreasonable. Our board of directors is ultimately
and solely responsible for determining the fair value of the
investments in good faith. The types of factors that may be
considered in fair value pricing of an investment include the
nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio
companys earnings and ability to make payments, the
markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison
to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other
relevant factors. Because such valuations are inherently
uncertain, our determinations of fair value may differ
materially from the values that would have been used if a ready
market for these securities existed. As a result, we may not be
able to dispose of our holdings at a price equal to or greater
than the determined fair value, which could have a negative
impact on our net asset value.
Our equity investments may decline in value.
The equity securities in which we invest may not appreciate or may decline in value. We may
thus not be able to realize gains from our equity securities, and any gains that we do realize on
the disposition of any equity securities may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we
experience. As a result, the equity securities in which we invest may decline in value, which may
negatively impact our ability to pay distributions and cause you to lose all or part of your
investment.
An
investment in MLPs will pose risks unique from other equity
investments.
An investment in MLP securities involves some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP units have limited
control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership. Holders of units
issued by an MLP are exposed to a remote possibility of liability for all of the
obligations of that MLP in the event that a court determines that the rights of the
holders of MLP units to vote to remove or replace the general partner of that MLP, to
approve amendments to that MLPs partnership agreement, or to take other action under the
partnership agreement of that MLP would constitute control of the business of
that MLP, or a court or governmental agency determines that the MLP is conducting business
in a state without complying with the partnership statute of that state.
Holders of MLP units are also exposed to the risk that they be required to repay amounts to the MLP that are wrongfully distributed to them. In addition, the value of our investment in an MLP will depend largely on the MLP's treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If an MLP does not meet current legal requirements to maintain partnership status,
or if it is unable to do so because of tax law changes, it would be treated as a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In that case, the MLP would be
obligated to pay income tax at the entity level and distributions received
by us generally would be taxed as dividend income. As a result, there could
be a material reduction in our cash flow and there could be a material decrease in the
value of our common shares.
Unrealized
decreases in the value of debt investments in our portfolio may
impact the value of our common shares and may reduce our income for distribution.
As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is
ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. Decreases
in the market values or fair values of our debt investments will be recorded as unrealized
depreciation. Any unrealized depreciation in our investment portfolio could be an indication of a
portfolio companys inability to meet its obligations to us with respect to the loans whose market
values or fair values decreased. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately
in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods.
When we are a minority equity or a debt investor in a portfolio company, we may not be in a
position to control that portfolio company.
When we make minority equity investments or invest in debt, we will be subject to the risk
that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we may disagree, and that the
stockholders and management of such company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not
serve our interests. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the
value of our investments.
Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in
such companies.
Portfolio companies in which we invest usually will have, or may be permitted to incur, debt
that ranks senior to, or equally with, our investments, including debt investments. As a result,
payments on such securities may have to be made before we receive any payments on our investments.
For example, these debt instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of
interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with
respect to our investments. These debt instruments will usually prohibit the portfolio companies
from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event and during the continuance of a
default under such debt. In the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or
bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in
that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any
distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying its senior creditors, a portfolio company
may not have any remaining assets to use to repay its obligation to us or provide a full or even
partial return of capital on an equity investment made by us. In the case of debt ranking equally
with our investments, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other
creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization
or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.
21
If our investments do not meet our performance expectations, you may not receive distributions.
We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally
available for distribution. We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to
make distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these distributions from time
to time. In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC, we may be limited
in our ability to make distributions. See Regulation. Also, restrictions and provisions in any
future credit facilities and debt securities may limit our ability to make distributions. We cannot
assure you that you will receive distributions at a particular level or at all.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business, and if we need to sell
any of our investments, we may not be able to do so at a favorable price. As a result, we may
suffer losses.
We generally expect to invest in the equity of companies whose securities are not publicly
traded, and whose securities will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will
otherwise be less liquid than publicly-traded securities. We also expect to invest in debt
securities with terms of five to ten years and hold such investments until maturity. The
illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when
desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we
may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these
investments. As a result, we do not expect to achieve liquidity in our investments in the
near-term. However, to maintain our status as a BDC, we may have to dispose of investments if we do
not satisfy one or more of the applicable criteria under the regulatory framework. Our investments
are usually subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid
because there is usually no established trading market for such investments. The illiquidity of
most of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price, and,
as a result, we may suffer losses.
We will be exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
Equity securities may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, which generally
increase borrowing costs and the cost of capital and may reduce the ability of portfolio companies
in which we own equity securities to either execute acquisitions or expansion projects in a
cost-effective manner or provide us liquidity by completing an initial public offering or
completing a sale. Fluctuations in interest rates will also impact any debt investments we make.
Changes in interest rates may also negatively impact the costs of our outstanding borrowings, if
any.
We may not have the funds to make additional investments in our portfolio companies.
After our initial investment in a portfolio company, we may be called upon from time to time
to provide additional funds to such company or have the opportunity to increase our investment
through the exercise of a warrant to purchase common stock. There is no assurance that we will
make, or will have sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Any decisions not to make a
follow-on investment or any inability on our part to make such an investment may have a negative
impact on a portfolio company in need of such an investment, may result in a missed opportunity for
us to increase our participation in a successful operation or may reduce the expected yield on the
investment.
Changes in laws or regulations or in the interpretations of laws or regulations could
significantly affect our operations and cost of doing business.
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations and are subject to judicial
and administrative decisions that affect our operations, including loan originations, maximum
interest rates, fees and other charges, disclosures to portfolio companies, the terms of secured
transactions, collection and foreclosure procedures and other trade practices. If these laws,
regulations or decisions change, we may have to incur significant expenses in order to comply, or
we may have to restrict our operations. In addition, if we do not comply with applicable laws,
regulations and decisions, or fail to obtain licenses that may become necessary for the conduct of
our business, we may be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties, any of which could have a
material adverse effect upon our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Our internal controls over financial reporting may not be adequate, and our independent registered
public accounting firm may not be able to certify as to their adequacy, which could have a
significant and adverse effect on our business and reputation.
We are evaluating our internal controls over financial reporting. We plan to design enhanced
processes and controls to address any issues that might be identified. As a result, we expect to
incur significant additional expenses in the near term, which will negatively impact our financial
performance and our ability to make distributions. This process also will result in a diversion of
managements time and attention. We cannot be certain as to the timing of completion of our
evaluation, testing and remediation actions or the
22
impact of the same on our operations and may not be able to ensure that the process is
effective or that the internal controls are or will be effective in a timely manner. Beginning with
our annual report for our fiscal year ended November 30, 2008,
our management expects to be required to
report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder. We will be required to
review on an annual basis our internal controls over financial reporting, and to disclose on a
quarterly basis changes that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. There can be no assurance that our
quarterly reviews will not identify material weaknesses.
Risks Related to an Investment in the U.S. Energy Infrastructure Sector
Our portfolio is and will continue to be concentrated in the energy infrastructure sector, which
will subject us to more risks than if we were broadly diversified.
We invest primarily in privately-held and micro-cap public energy companies. Because we are
specifically focused on the energy infrastructure sector, investments in our common shares may
present more risks than if we were broadly diversified over numerous sectors of the economy.
Therefore, a downturn in the U.S. energy infrastructure sector would have a larger impact on us
than on an investment company that does not concentrate in one sector of the economy. The energy
infrastructure sector can be significantly affected by the supply of and demand for specific
products and services; the supply and demand for crude oil, natural gas, and other energy
commodities; the price of crude oil, natural gas, and other energy commodities; exploration,
production and other capital expenditures; government regulation; world and regional events and
economic conditions. At times, the performance of securities of companies in the energy
infrastructure sector may lag the performance of securities of companies in other sectors or the
broader market as a whole.
The portfolio companies in which we invest are subject to variations in the supply and demand of
various energy commodities.
A decrease in the production of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, coal, refined
petroleum products or other energy commodities, or a decrease in the volume of such commodities
available for transportation, mining, processing, storage or distribution, may adversely impact the
financial performance of companies in the energy infrastructure sector. Production declines and
volume decreases could be caused by various factors, including catastrophic events affecting
production, depletion of resources, labor difficulties, political events, OPEC actions,
environmental proceedings, increased regulations, equipment failures and unexpected maintenance
problems, failure to obtain necessary permits, unscheduled outages, unanticipated expenses,
inability to successfully carry out new construction or acquisitions, import supply disruption,
increased competition from alternative energy sources or related commodity prices. Alternatively, a
sustained decline in demand for such commodities could also adversely affect the financial
performance of companies in the energy infrastructure sector. Factors that could lead to a decline
in demand include economic recession or other adverse economic conditions, higher fuel taxes or
governmental regulations, increases in fuel economy, consumer shifts to the use of alternative fuel
sources, changes in commodity prices or weather. It should be noted that many economists have predicted a
recession will occur in the U.S. in 2008. The length and severity of such a recession, if any,
and its impact on our portfolio companies cannot be determined.
Many companies in the energy infrastructure sector are subject to the risk that they, or their
customers, will be unable to replace depleted reserves of energy commodities.
Many companies in the energy infrastructure sector are either engaged in the production of
natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal, or are engaged in
transporting, storing, distributing and processing these items on behalf of producers. To maintain
or grow their revenues, many customers of these companies need to maintain or expand their reserves
through exploration of new sources of supply, through the development of existing sources, through
acquisitions, or through long-term contracts to acquire reserves. The financial performance of
companies in the energy infrastructure sector may be adversely affected if the companies to which
they provide service are unable to cost-effectively acquire additional reserves sufficient to
replace the natural decline.
Our portfolio companies are and will be subject to extensive regulation because of their
participation in the energy infrastructure sector.
Companies in the energy infrastructure sector are subject to significant federal, state and
local government regulation in virtually every aspect of their operations, including how facilities
are constructed, maintained and operated, environmental and safety controls, and the prices they
may charge for the products and services they provide. Various governmental authorities have the
power to enforce compliance with these regulations and the permits issued under them, and violators
are subject to administrative, civil and criminal penalties, including civil fines, injunctions or
both. Stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be enacted in the future that likely
would increase compliance costs and may adversely affect the financial performance of companies in
the energy infrastructure sector and the value of our investments in those companies.
23
Our portfolio companies are and will be subject to the risk of fluctuations in commodity prices.
The operations and financial performance of companies in the energy infrastructure sector may
be directly affected by energy commodity prices, especially those companies in the energy
infrastructure sector owning the underlying energy commodity. Commodity prices fluctuate for
several reasons, including changes in market and economic conditions, the impact of weather on
demand or supply, levels of domestic production and imported commodities, energy conservation,
domestic and foreign governmental regulation and taxation and the availability of local, intrastate
and interstate transportation systems. Volatility of commodity prices, which may lead to a
reduction in production or supply, may also negatively impact the performance of companies in the
energy infrastructure sector that are solely involved in the transportation, processing, storing,
distribution or marketing of commodities. Volatility of commodity prices may also make it more
difficult for companies in the energy infrastructure sector to raise capital to the extent the
market perceives that their performance may be tied directly or indirectly to commodity prices.
Historically, energy commodity prices have been cyclical and exhibited significant volatility.
Our portfolio companies are and will be subject to the risk of extreme weather patterns.
Extreme weather patterns, such as hurricane Ivan in 2004 and hurricanes Katrina and Rita in
2005, could result in significant volatility in the supply of energy and power. This volatility may
create fluctuations in commodity prices and earnings of companies in the energy infrastructure
sector. Moreover, any extreme weather patterns, such as hurricanes Katrina and Rita, could
adversely impact the assets and valuation of our portfolio companies.
Acts of terrorism may adversely affect us.
The value of our common shares, warrants and our investments could be significantly and
negatively impacted as a result of terrorist activities, such as the terrorist attacks on the World
Trade Center on September 11, 2001; war, such as the war in Iraq and its aftermath; and other
geopolitical events, including upheaval in the Middle East or other energy producing regions. The
U.S. government has issued warnings that energy assets, specifically those related to pipeline
infrastructure, production facilities and transmission and distribution facilities, might be
specific targets of terrorist activity. Such events have led, and in the future may lead, to
short-term market volatility and may have long-term effects on the U.S. economy and markets. Such
events may also adversely affect our business and financial condition.
24
Risks Related to this Offering
The price of our common shares may be volatile and may decrease substantially.
The trading price of our common shares following this offering may fluctuate substantially.
The price of our common shares in the market after this offering may be higher or lower than the
price you pay and the liquidity of our common shares may be limited, in each case depending on many
factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating
performance. These factors include the following:
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price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time; |
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significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of BDCs or other financial services companies; |
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our dependence on the domestic energy infrastructure sector; |
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our inability to deploy or invest our capital; |
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fluctuations in interest rates; |
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increases in the taxable portion of distributions we receive on our equity investments; |
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any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts; |
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operating performance of companies comparable to us; |
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changes in regulatory policies with respect to BDCs; |
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our ability to borrow money or obtain additional capital; |
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losing BDC status; |
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actual or anticipated changes in our earnings or fluctuations in our operating results or
changes in the expectations of securities analysts; |
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general economic conditions and trends; |
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departures of key personnel; or |
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the sale by the selling holders named in this prospectus of a substantial number of our common shares in the public market. |
Investing in our common shares or warrants may involve an above average degree of risk.
The investments we make may result in a higher amount of risk, volatility or loss of principal
than alternative investment options. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly
speculative and aggressive, and therefore, an investment in our common shares or warrants may not
be suitable for investors with lower risk tolerance.
We cannot assure you that the market price of our common shares will not decline following the
offering.
Shares of closed-end investment companies have in the past frequently traded at discounts to
their net asset values and our stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic of
closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per
share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common shares will trade above, at or below our
net asset value. The risk of loss associated with this characteristic of closed-end investment
companies may be greater for investors expecting to sell common shares purchased in this offering
soon after the offering. In addition, if our common shares trade below their
25
net asset value, we will generally not be able to issue additional common shares at their
market price without first obtaining the approval of our stockholder and our independent directors
to such issuance.
We cannot assure you that an active public market for the warrants will develop.
Currently, no public market exists for our warrants. We cannot assure you that one will
develop or be sustained after this offering. We do not intend to apply to list the warrants on any
national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market.
Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws could deter takeover
attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common shares and warrants.
The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may
have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making difficult a change in control of our company or
the removal of our incumbent directors. We will be covered by the Business Combination Act of the
Maryland General Corporation Law to the extent that such statute is not superseded by applicable
requirements of the 1940 Act. However, our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting us
from the Business Combination Act for any business combination between us and any person to the
extent that such business combination receives the prior approval of our board, including a
majority of our directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act.
Under our charter, our board of directors is divided into three classes serving staggered
terms, which will make it more difficult for a hostile bidder to acquire control of us. In
addition, our board of directors may, without stockholder action, authorize the issuance of shares
of stock in one or more classes or series, including preferred stock. See Description of Capital
Stock. Subject to compliance with the 1940 Act, our board of directors may, without stockholder
action, amend our charter to increase the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we
have authority to issue. The existence of these provisions, among others, may have a negative
impact on the price of our common shares and warrants, and may discourage third party bids for
ownership of our company. These provisions may prevent any premiums being offered to you for our
common shares and warrants.
There will be dilution of the value of our common shares when the warrants are exercised or if we
issue common shares below our net asset value.
As a result of our private placements completed in 2006, warrants were issued permitting the
holders thereof to acquire 957,130 of our common shares upon payment of the exercise price. The
warrants represent the right to purchase, in the aggregate,
approximately 11% of our common shares.
These warrants are currently exercisable and are being registered for resale by this prospectus.
The issuance of additional common shares upon the exercise of the warrants, if the warrants are
exercised at a time when the exercise price is less than the net asset value per share of our
common shares, will have a dilutive effect on the value of our common shares. In addition, if we
sell our common shares below net asset value, our net asset value will decrease immediately
following such issuance. Our stockholders granted us authority to sell our common shares below net
asset value, subject to certain conditions. This authority extends
through December 20, 2007, and we anticipate seeking approval to sell our common shares below net asset value at our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders.
The warrants may have no value in bankruptcy.
In the event a bankruptcy or reorganization is commenced by or against us, a bankruptcy court
may hold that unexercised warrants are executory contracts subject to rejection by us with approval
of the bankruptcy court. As a result, holders of the warrants may, even if sufficient funds are
available, not be entitled to receive any consideration or may receive an amount less than they
would be entitled to if they had exercised their warrants prior to the commencement of any such
bankruptcy or reorganization.
As a holder of warrants, you will not receive distributions on our common shares.
Holders of warrants will not have the right to receive any distributions so long as their
warrants are unexercised.
There may be limitations on the ability of the holders of warrants to exercise their warrants and
receive the underlying common shares.
We have agreed to use our reasonable efforts to maintain an effective shelf registration
statement on an appropriate form under the Securities Act covering the common shares, the warrants
and the common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the earlier of (i) the date on
which the common shares, warrants and common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are sold
in accordance with the intended distribution of such common shares or warrants, (ii) the date on
which none of the shares of common shares or warrants are registrable securities, or (iii) the
second anniversary of the effective date of the shelf registration statement of
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which this prospectus is a part. During any period when the shelf registration statement is
not effective, U.S. holders of the warrants will not be able to exercise their warrants unless they
are an accredited investor, within the meaning of the Securities Act, and make certain
representations to us in connection with their exercise.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to keep the shelf registration statement
continuously effective until all of the warrants have been exercised or expired. Common shares
issued upon exercise of the warrants at a time when the shelf registration statement is not
effective will be restricted securities for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and
will be subject to restrictions on transfer.
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ELECTION TO BE REGULATED AS A BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. There can be no assurance that we
will be successful in maintaining our status as a BDC.
Investment Reporting
In accordance with the requirements of Article 6 of Regulation S-X, we will report all of our
investments, including loans, at market value or, for investments that do not have a readily
available market value, their fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors.
Subsequent changes in these values will be reported through our statement of operations under the
caption of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. See Determination of Net Asset
Value.
Distributions Policy
We intend, subject to adjustment in the discretion of our board of directors, to pay out
substantially all of the amounts we receive as cash or paid-in-kind distributions on equity
securities we own and interest payments on debt securities we own, less current or anticipated
operating expenses, current income taxes on our income and our leverage costs. On November 12, our Board of Directors declared, and on November 30, 2007 we paid, a $0.23 per
share distribution to shareholders of record as of November 23, 2007. On February 11, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a $0.25 per share dividend to stockholders of
record on February 21, 2008. It is anticipated that the dividend will be distributed on March 3,
2008.
See Price Range of Common Shares and Distributions and Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operation Determining Distributions to Stockholders.
Warrants
Our outstanding warrants are currently exercisable and entitle the holder thereof to purchase
one common share at the exercise price of $15.00 per common share. All warrants will expire on
February 6, 2013. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. We
will pay to the holder of the warrant at the time of exercise an amount in cash equal to the
current market value of any such fractional warrant shares.
Exemptive Relief
Our Advisor and TYG have applied to the SEC for exemptive relief to permit TYG, TYY, TYN, us
and our and their respective affiliates to take certain actions that otherwise would be prohibited
by the 1940 Act. Unless and until we obtain an exemptive order, we will not co-invest with our
affiliates in negotiated private placement transactions. We cannot guarantee that the requested
relief will be granted by the SEC. Unless and until we obtain an exemptive order, our Advisor will
not co-invest its proprietary accounts or other clients assets in negotiated private transactions
in which we invest. Until we receive exemptive relief, our Advisor will observe a policy for
allocating opportunities among its clients that takes into account the amount of each clients
available cash and its investment objectives. As a result of one or more of these situations, we
may not be able to invest as much as we otherwise would in certain investments or may not be able
to liquidate a position as quickly.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares or warrants by the selling
holders. However, upon any exercise of the warrants, we will receive cash consideration equal to
the exercise price of $15.00 per warrant. We anticipate that the exercise of warrants will occur
when the market value of our common shares exceeds the exercise price per warrant. We anticipate
that proceeds received by us from the exercise of the warrants, if any, will be used to retire all
or a portion of our outstanding balance under our secured credit facility with any remainder used
to fund investments in prospective portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective
and strategies described in this prospectus and for temporary working capital needs. Pending such
uses and investments, we expect to invest these proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S.
government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from
the date of investment.
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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Our
common shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol TTOon February 2, 2007. We
completed the initial public offering of our common shares on February 7, 2007 at a price of $15.00
per share. Prior to our initial public offering, there was no public market for our common shares.
The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices of our common shares as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange, and the dividends declared by us for each fiscal quarter
since our initial public offering.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 1, 2007 through February ___, 2008 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter |
|
$ |
13.84 |
|
|
$ |
15.03 |
|
|
$ |
14.50 |
|
|
|
8.60 |
% |
|
|
4.77 |
% |
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
Second Quarter |
|
$ |
14.05 |
|
|
$ |
18.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.31 |
|
|
|
31.46 |
% |
|
|
1.85 |
% |
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
Third Quarter |
|
$ |
13.77 |
|
|
$ |
18.49 |
|
|
$ |
13.79 |
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
15.29 |
|
|
$ |
11.66 |
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Net asset value per share is generally determined as of the
last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not
reflect the net asset value per share on the date of the
high and low sales prices. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents the dividend declared in the specified quarter. |
The
last reported price for our common shares on Jan 31, 2008 was $12.42 per share.
Shares of business development companies may trade at a market price that is less than the
value of the net assets attributable to those shares. The possibility that our common shares will
trade at a discount from net asset value or at premiums that are unsustainable over the long term
are separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value will decrease. At times, our
common shares have traded at a premium to net asset value and at times our shares of common stock
have traded at a discount to the net assets attributable to those shares. It is not possible to
predict whether the shares offered hereby will trade at, above, or below net asset value.
We intend, subject to adjustment in the discretion of our board of directors, to pay out
substantially all of the amounts we receive as recurring cash or paid-in-kind distributions on
equity securities we own and interest payments on debt securities we own, less current or
anticipated operating expenses, current income taxes on our income and our leverage costs. On November 12, our Board of Directors declared, and on November 30, 2007 we paid, a $0.23 per share distribution to shareholders of record as of November 23, 2007.
On February 11, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a $0.25 per share dividend to stockholders of
record on February 21, 2008. It is anticipated that the dividend will be distributed on March 3,
2008.
We have an opt out dividend reinvestment plan. As a result, unless a stockholder opts out,
distributions will be reinvested in our common shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan.
See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations and Dividend Reinvestment Plan. We
anticipate that only a portion of distributions we make on the common shares will be treated as
taxable dividend income to our stockholders. If you are an individual citizen or resident of the
United States or a United States estate or trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes and meet
certain holding period and other applicable requirements, the portion of such distributions treated
as taxable dividend income will be qualified dividend income currently subject to a maximum 15%
U.S. federal income tax rate. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Taxation of
U.S. Stockholders.
As a BDC, we are prohibited from paying distributions if doing so would cause us to fail to
maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act. Distributions also may be limited by
the terms of our borrowings. It is our objective to invest our assets and structure our
borrowings so as to permit stable and consistently growing distributions. However, there can be no
assurances that we will achieve that objective or that our results will permit the payment of any
cash distributions. For a more detailed discussion, see Regulation. See also Certain U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations.
29
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth (i) our actual capitalization as of November 30, 2007, (ii) our
capitalization as adjusted to reflect our investments in
________ (valued at their purchase
price) and $___ million
outstanding under our secured credit facility; and (iii) our capitalization as further adjusted to
reflect the exercise of all 948,005 outstanding warrants. You should read this table together with
Use of Proceeds and our statement of assets and liabilities included elsewhere in this
prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
As Further |
|
|
|
November 30, 2007 |
|
|
As Adjusted |
|
|
Adjusted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
Short-term investments |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term debt: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secured credit facility |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders Consist of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants, no par value, 5,000,000 authorized; 948,005
issued and outstanding actual and as adjusted; 0 issued and
outstanding as further adjusted |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Capital Stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 common shares
authorized; 8,837,721 common shares issued and outstanding
actual and as adjusted; 9,785,726 common shares issued and
outstanding as further adjusted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated net investment loss, net of deferred tax benefit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated realized gain, net of deferred tax expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation of investments, net of deferred
tax expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common stockholders |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and
related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition
to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this prospectus contain
forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to the factors discussed
under Risk Factors, Forward-Looking Statements and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
We invest in companies operating in the U.S. energy infrastructure sector, primarily in
privately-held and micro-cap public companies focused on the midstream and downstream segments,
and to a lesser extent the upstream segment. We believe companies in the energy infrastructure
sector generally produce stable cash flows as a result of their fee-based revenues and have
limited direct commodity price risk. Our goal is to provide our stockholders with a high level
of total return, with an emphasis on dividends and dividend growth. We invest primarily in the
equity securities of companies that we expect to pay us distributions on a current basis and
provide us distribution growth.
On February 1, 2007, we filed an election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We are
classified as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company under the 1940 Act.
As a BDC, we are subject to numerous regulations and restrictions. Unlike most investment
companies, we are, and intend to continue to be, taxed as a general business corporation under
the Code. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations - Federal Income Taxation of the
Company.
Portfolio and Investment Activity
In May 2007, we completed two additional new investments. We invested $12,250,000 in a newly
formed private partnership, VantaCore Partners, L.P. The partnership was formed to acquire
companies in the aggregate industry. Aggregate companies operate quarries and typically mine
limestone, gravel, granite and sand which are used in road construction and other public works
projects. The investment consisted of $8,500,000 in common units and incentive distribution rights,
and a $3,750,000 participation investment in a secured credit facility. We also
invested $7,500,015 in a newly formed private partnership, Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P.
Abraxas Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: ABP) formed Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. and has contributed
long-lived, low decline natural gas and oil reserves located in the Delaware and Gulf Coast Basins
of Texas.
Additionally,
in May 2007, we completed two follow on investments. We exercised our option to purchase a 3
percent interest in High Sierra Energy GP, L.L.C., the general partner of High Sierra Energy,
L.P., at an exercise price of $2,250,000 and we invested an additional $1,000,000 in Mowood, L.L.C.
to fund the expansion of its newest subsidiary, Timberline Energy, L.L.C. Timberline Energy,
L.L.C. is a developer and operator of landfill methane gas collection systems. In June 2007, we
also completed an addition follow on investment in which we purchased a $2.0 million unsecured
subordinated debenture from Mowood, L.L.C.
As
of July 23, 2007, our funded investments totaled approximately $124.7 million, in 11
portfolio companies in the U.S. energy infrastructure sector. Of the $124.7 million, we have
invested $82.9 million in the midstream and downstream segments of the U.S. energy infrastructure
sector, $19.5 million in the upstream segment of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector and $22.3
million in other segments of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector.
We monitor each portfolio company to determine progress relative to meeting the companys business plan and to assess the appropriate strategic and tactical courses of action for the company. This monitoring may be accomplished by attendance at Board of Directors meetings, the review of periodic operating reports and financial reports, an analysis of relevant reserve
information and capital expenditure plans, and periodic consultations with engineers, geologists, and other experts. The performance of each portfolio company is also periodically compared to performance of similarly sized companies with comparable assets and businesses to assess performance relative to peers. Our Advisers monitoring activities are expected to provide it with the necessary access to monitor compliance with existing covenants, to enhance our ability to make qualified valuation decisions, and to assist our evaluation of the nature of the risks involved in each individual investment. In addition, these monitoring activities should permit our Adviser to diagnose and manage the common risk factors held by our total portfolio, such as sector concentration, exposure to a single financial sponsor, or sensitivity to a particular geography.
As part of the monitoring process, our Adviser continually assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and rates them on a scale of 1 to 3 based on the following categories:
(1) The portfolio company is performing at or above expectations and the trends and risk factors are generally favorable to neutral.
(2) The portfolio company is performing below expectations and the investments risk has increased materially since origination. The portfolio company is generally out of compliance with various covenants; however, payments are generally not more than 120 days past due.
(3) The portfolio company is performing materially below expectations and the investment risk has substantially increased since origination. Most or all of the covenants are out of compliance and payments are substantially delinquent. Investment is not expected to provide a full repayment of the amount invested.
As of May 31, 2007, all of our portfolio companies have a rating of (1), with the exception of one which has a rating of (2).
Results of Operations
Set forth are the results of operations for the three and six months ended May 31, 2007 as
compared to the three months ended May 31, 2006 and the period from December 8, 2005 (Commencement
of Operations) through May 31, 2006.
Investment Income: Investment income totaled $545,856 and $937,491 for the three and
six-month periods ended May 31, 2007, respectively, compared to $347,496 and $751,001 for the three
months ended May 31, 2006 and the period from December 8, 2005 through May 31, 2006, respectively.
Investment income for the three-month period ended May 31, 2007 consisted of $1,425,467 in gross
distributions from investments, including $1,484,141 characterized as return of capital (which
includes $314,000 related to the reclassification of investment income and return of capital based
on the 2006 tax reporting information received from our portfolio companies), and $604,530 in
dividends from money market mutual funds and interest income from debt investments. Investment
income for the six-month period ended May 31, 2007 consisted of $2,029,154 in gross distributions
from investments, including $1,964,198 characterized as return of capital, and $872,535 in
dividends from money market mutual funds and interest income from debt investments. Investment
income for the three-month period ended May 31, 2006 and the period from December 8, 2005 through
May 31, 2006 consisted only of dividends from money market mutual funds. The increase in
investment income for the three and six months ended May 31, 2007 as compared to the three months
ended May 31, 2006 and the period from December 8, 2005 (Commencement of Operations) through May
31, 2006, respectively, is directly related to an increase in the number of investments in our
portfolio and the distributions received from these investments. The weighted average yield on our
investment portfolio (excluding short-term investments) as of May 31, 2007 was 8.8 percent, as
compared to 7.8 percent at May 31, 2006.
Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses totaled $1,684,846 and $3,785,765 for the three
and six-month periods ended May 31, 2007, respectively, compared to $251,297 and $486,018 for the
three months ended May 31, 2006 and the period from December 8, 2005 through May 31, 2006,
respectively. Total operating expenses for the three-month period ended May 31, 2007 consisted of
$468,012 in management fees, $1,008,867 in capital gain incentive fees, and $247,084 in other
operating expenses, less $39,117 related to a reduction of issuance costs on previously outstanding
Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock. For the six-month period ended May 31, 2007, total operating
expenses consisted of $848,079 in management fees, $1,496,494 in capital gain incentive fees,
$731,713 in redemption premium and issuance costs on previously outstanding Series A Redeemable
Preferred Stock, $346,460 in interest expense on our line of credit and preferred dividends, and
$363,019 in other operating expenses. Total operating expenses for the three-month period ended May
31, 2006 consisted of $169,367 in management fees and $81,930 in other operating expenses and for
the period from December 8, 2005 through May 31, 2006 consisted of $306,163 in management fees, and
$179,855 in other operating expenses. The increase in expenses for the three and six-month periods
ended May 31, 2007 as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2006 and the period from December
8, 2005 (Commencement of Operations) through May 31, 2006, respectively, generally relate to
capital gain incentive fees and the redemption premium and issuance costs on previously outstanding
Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock, which was utilized as bridge financing to fund portfolio
investments and was fully redeemed upon completion of the initial public offering. The provision
for capital gains incentive fees resulted from the increase in fair value and unrealized
appreciation on investments. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the capital gains
incentive fee is paid annually only if there are realization events and only if the calculation
defined in the agreement results in an amount due.
Distributable Cash Flow: Our portfolio generates cash flow to us from which we pay dividends
to stockholders. When our Board of Directors determines the amount of any distribution we expect
to pay our stockholders, it will review distributable cash flow (DCF). DCF is simply
distributions received from investments less our total expenses. The total distributions received
from our investments include the amount received by us as cash distributions from equity
investments, paid-in-kind distributions, and dividend and interest payments. The total expenses
include current or anticipated operating expenses, leverage costs and current income taxes on our
operating income. Total expenses do not include deferred income taxes or accrued capital gain
incentive fees.
We disclose DCF in order to provide supplemental information regarding our results of
operations and to enhance our investors overall understanding of our core financial performance
and our prospects for the future. We believe that our investors benefit from seeing the results of
DCF in addition to GAAP information. This non-GAAP information facilitates managements comparison
of current results with historical results of operations and with those of our peers. This
information is not in accordance with, or
an alternative to, GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other
companies.
The following table represents DCF for the three and six-month periods ended May 31, 2007.
DCF comparisons to the same periods last year are not meaningful as we did not pay our first
dividend until the third quarter of 2006.
Distributable Cash Flow (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three |
|
|
For the six months |
|
|
|
months ended |
|
|
ended |
|
|
|
May 31, 2007 |
|
|
May 31, 2007 |
|
Total Distributions Received from Investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions received from equity investments |
|
$ |
1,425,467 |
|
|
$ |
2,029,154 |
|
Interest income from debt investments |
|
|
162,404 |
|
|
|
290,876 |
|
Dividend and interest income on short-term investments |
|
|
442,126 |
|
|
|
581,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total from Investments |
|
|
2,029,997 |
|
|
|
2,901,689 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Expenses Before Leverage Costs and Current Taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory fees |
|
|
468,012 |
|
|
|
848,079 |
|
Other operating expenses (excluding capital gain incentive fees) |
|
|
247,084 |
|
|
|
363,019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
715,096 |
|
|
|
1,211,098 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributable cash flow before leverage costs and current taxes |
|
|
1,314,901 |
|
|
|
1,690,591 |
|
Leverage Costs |
|
|
(5,771 |
) |
|
|
346,460 |
|
Current income tax expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributable Cash Flow |
|
$ |
1,320,672 |
|
|
$ |
1,344,131 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DCF/GAAP Reconciliation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile to Net Investment Income (Loss), before Income Taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital on distributions received from equity investments |
|
|
(1,484,141 |
) |
|
|
(1,964,198 |
) |
Capital gain incentive fees |
|
|
(1,008,867 |
) |
|
|
(1,496,494 |
) |
Loss on redemption of preferred stock |
|
|
33,346 |
|
|
|
(731,713 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income (Loss), before Income Taxes |
|
$ |
(1,138,990 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,848,274 |
) |
Net Investment Income (Loss): Net investment loss for the three and six-month period
ended May 31, 2007 was $706,173 (including a deferred tax benefit of $432,817) and $2,101,017
(including a deferred tax benefit of $747,257), respectively. Net investment income for the
three-month period ended May 31, 2006 and the period from December 8, 2005 through May 31, 2006 was
$61,344 (including current tax expense of $34,855) and $169,028 (including current tax expense of
$95,955), respectively. The increased net investment loss for the three and six-month periods
ended May 31, 2007 as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2006 and the period from December
8, 2005 (Commencement of Operations) through May 31, 2006, respectively, generally relate to
capital gain incentive fees and the redemption premium and issuance costs on previously outstanding
Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock as described in Operating Expenses above.
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses): For the three-month period ended May 31, 2007, we
had net unrealized gains of $4,169,982 after a deferred tax expense of $2,555,796. For the
six-month period ended May 31, 2007, we had net unrealized gains of $5,981,617 after a deferred tax
expense of $3,666,151. There were no net unrealized gains or losses for the three months ended May
31, 2006 or for the period from December 8, 2005 through May 31, 2006. The increase in unrealized
gains as compared to last year is a result of the increased number of portfolio investments and the
length of maturity of these investments. For the three-month period ended May 31, 2007 and the
six-month period ended May 31, 2007, we recognized realized gains of $8,501 after a deferred tax
expense of $5,211. The recognition of realized gains was not the result of a sale during these
periods, but was related to a reclassification of the amount of investment income and return of
capital we recognized based on the 2006 tax reporting information received from the individual MLPs
resulting in an adjustment to realized gains.
31
Recent Developments
On June 1, 2007, we paid a dividend in the amount of $0.16 per share, for a total of $1,414,035. Of this total,
the dividend reinvestment amounted to $42,537.
On June 1, 2007, we invested $7,499,990 in common units in a private placement of EV Energy Partners, L.P.,
a master limited partnership engaged in acquiring, producing and developing oil and gas properties. EV Energy
Partners, L.P. stated that it plans to use the proceeds of the private placement to repay all of its borrowings
under its revolving credit facility which were used to finance a previously completed acquisition of Monroe
field properties in Louisiana. In addition, proceeds will fund a portion of its $100,000,000 acquisition of oil and
natural gas properties in Central and East Texas.
On June 12, 2007, we invested $10,000,000 in International Resource Partners, L.P, a newly formed private
partnership. International Resource Partners, L.P. acquired International Resources, L.L.C., the coal subsidiary of
International Industries, Inc. The companys initial acquisition of surface and underground coal mine operations in
southern West Virginia is comprised of metallurgical and steam coal reserves, a coal washing and preparation plant,
rail load-out facilities and a sales and marketing subsidiary.
On June 15, 2007, we completed another follow-on investment, purchasing $10,000,011 in common units of
High Sierra Energy, L.P. The company indicated that it plans to use the proceeds to support its continued
expansion.
On June 29, 2007, we completed an additional $2,000,000 follow-on debt investment in Mowood, L.L.C.
Subsequent to these investments, the current weighted average yield on our investment portfolio (excluding
short-term investments) is 8.6 percent.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On February 7, 2007, we completed our initial public offering of 5,740,000 shares of common stock at $15.00
per share for gross proceeds of $86,100,000. After underwriting discount and offering expenses, we received
net proceeds of $79,222,426. Upon completion of the offering, we redeemed all of the Series A Redeemable
Preferred Stock at $15.00 per share plus a 2 percent premium, for a total redemption price of $18,870,000. After
attributing $283,059 in value to the warrants, the redemption premium of $370,000 and $78,654 in issuance
costs, we recognized a loss on redemption of the preferred shares of $731,713. In addition, accrued dividends
in the amount of $228,750 were paid to the preferred stockholders. We have used approximately $12,600,000
of the net proceeds to repay the amount outstanding under the credit facility, and approximately $23,000,000 of
the net proceeds to fund additional investments in new and existing portfolio companies this fiscal quarter. The
remaining net proceeds of the offering have been used to purchase short-term, temporary investments. During
the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2007, 9,125 warrants were exercised at $15.00 per common share, for proceeds
of $136,875.
We expect to raise additional capital to support our future growth through equity offerings, issuances of senior
securities or future borrowings to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and our current credit facility. We
generally may not issue additional common shares at a price below our net asset value (net of any sales load
(underwriting discount) without first obtaining approval of our stockholders and board of directors. Our
stockholders granted us the authority to sell our common shares below net asset value, subject to certain
conditions, through December 20, 2007. We are restricted in our ability to incur additional debt by the terms of
our credit facility.
32
Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in our contractual obligations during the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2007.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Other than the investment advisory agreement and the administration agreement with our Adviser, we do not
have any off-balance sheet arrangement that has or is reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our
financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital
expenditures, or capital resources.
Borrowings
On
April 23, 2007, we replaced our previous credit facility with a new secured committed
credit facility with U.S. Bank as a lender, agent and lead arranger, and Bank of Oklahoma,
N.A. The new credit facility matures on March 21, 2008.
On July 18, 2007, the new credit facility was amended to increase the maximum principal amount of the revolving credit facility from $20 million to $35 million.
The revolving credit facility has a variable annual interest rate equal to the one-month LIBOR rate
plus 1.75 percent and is secured by all assets of the Company.
As of July 23, 2007, we had an
outstanding principal balance of $3.6 million under the new credit facility.
In the future, we may fund additional investments through borrowings from banks or other
lenders or issuing debt securities.
33
Critical Accounting Policies
The financial statements included in this report are based on the selection and application of critical accounting
policies, which require management to make significant estimates and assumptions. Critical accounting policies
are those that are both important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and
require managements most difficult, complex or subjective judgments. While our critical accounting policies
are discussed below, Note 2 in the notes to our financial statements included in this report provides more detailed disclosure of all of our significant accounting policies.
Valuation of Portfolio Investments
We invest primarily in illiquid securities that generally are subject to restrictions on resale, have no established
trading market and are valued at fair value on a quarterly basis. Fair value is intended to be the amount for
which an investment could be exchanged in an orderly disposition over a reasonable period of time between
willing parties other than in a forced liquidation or sale. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, the
fair values of such investments, which are determined in accordance with procedures approved by our Board of
Directors, may differ materially from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for the
investments.
Interest and Fee Income Recognition
Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected.
When investing in instruments with an original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest, we accrue interest
income during the life of the investment, even though we will not necessarily be receiving cash as the interest is
accrued. Commitment and facility fees generally are recognized as income over the life of the underlying loan,
whereas due diligence, structuring, transaction service, consulting and management service fees for services
rendered to portfolio companies generally are recognized as income when services are rendered.
Security
Transactions and Investment Income Recognition
Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Realized
gains and losses are reported on an identified cost basis. Distributions received from our equity investments
generally are comprised of ordinary income, capital gains and return of capital from the portfolio company. We
record investment income and returns of capital based on estimates made at the time such distributions are received.
Such estimates are based on information available from each portfolio company and/or other industry sources. These
estimates may subsequently be revised based on information received from the portfolio companies after their tax
reporting periods are concluded, as the actual character of these distributions are not known until after our fiscal year-end.
Federal
and State Income Taxation
We, as a corporation, are obligated to pay federal and state income tax on our taxable income. Our tax expense
or benefit is included in the Statement of Operations based on the component of income or gains (losses) to which
such expense or benefit relates. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax
purposes.
34
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our business activities contain elements of market risk. We consider changes in interest rates and the effect
such changes can have on the valuations of the distribution-paying equity securities and debt securities we hold and
the cost of capital under our credit facility to be our principal market risk.
Interest rate risk primarily results from variable rate securities in which we invest. Debt investments in our
portfolio are based on floating and fixed rates. Loans bearing a floating interest rate are usually based on LIBOR
and, in most cases, a spread consisting of additional basis points. The interest rates for these debt instruments
typically have one to six-month durations and reset at the current market interest rates. As of May 31, 2007, our
floating rate debt investments totaled $3,750,000 (43 percent) of our total debt investments of $8,800,000. Based on
a sensitivity analysis of the variable rate financial obligations in our portfolio at May 31, 2007, we estimate that a
one percentage point interest rate movement in the average market interest rates (either higher or lower) over the ten
days the obligations were outstanding during the period ended May 31, 2007 would either increase or decrease net investment income by approximately $1,000.
We carry our investments at fair value, as determined by our Board of Directors. Investments for which market
quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations. Securities that are not publicly traded or
whose market price is not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of
Directors. Because there is not a readily available market value for most of the investments in our portfolio, we
value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board under a valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair
value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ
significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments, and these
differences could be material. As of May 31, 2007, the value of our long-term equity investments totaled
$94,041,396. The impact of a 10% change in fair value of these investments (either higher or lower), net of deferred
tax and capital gain incentive fees, would increase or decrease net assets applicable to common stockholders by
approximately $4,400,000.
We consider the management of risk essential to conducting our businesses. Accordingly, our risk management
systems and procedures are designed to identify and analyze our risks, to set appropriate policies and limits and to
continually monitor these risks and limits by means of reliable administrative and information systems and other
policies and programs.
35
SENIOR SECURITIES
The
following table sets forth information about our outstanding senior
securities as of January 31, 2008, based on our total assets as of
November 30, 2007. We did not have any senior securities outstanding as of the end of our first fiscal year ended
November 30, 2006. The indicates information which
is not required to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.
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Involuntary |
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Total Amount |
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Liquidation |
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Outstanding Exclusive |
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Asset Coverage |
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Preference |
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Average Market |
Title of Securities |
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of Treasury Securities |
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per Unit(1) |
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per Unit |
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Value per Unit |
Secured Revolving Credit Facility(2) |
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$ |
3,600,000 |
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$ |
35,482 |
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n/a |
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(1) |
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The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing
indebtedness is calculated as our total assets, less all liabilities
and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, divided by
senior securities representing indebtedness. This asset coverage ratio
is multiplied by $1,000 to determine the Asset Coverage per Unit. |
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(2) |
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On April 23, 2007, we entered into the new credit facility with U.S.
Bank as a lender, agent and lead arranger, and Bank of Oklahoma, N.A.
The new credit facility replaces our previous revolving credit
facility with U.S. Bank. On July 18, 2007, the new credit facility was amended to increase the maximum principal amount of the revolving
credit facility from $20 million to $35 million. On September 28, 2007, the credit facility was further amended to increase the maximum principal amount of the revolving credit facility from $35.0 million to $40.0 million and include First National Bank of Kansas as a lender.
As of January 31, 2008, we had an outstanding
balance of $____ million under the new credit facility. |
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THE COMPANY
We invest primarily in privately-held and micro-cap public energy companies focused on the
midstream and downstream segments, and to a lesser extent the upstream segment. We believe
companies in the energy infrastructure generally produce stable cash flows as a result of their
fee-based revenue and limited direct commodity price risk. Our goal is to provide our stockholders
with a high level of total return, with an emphasis on dividends and dividend growth. We invest
primarily in the equity securities of companies that we expect to pay us distributions on a current
basis and provide us distribution growth.
Companies in the midstream segment of the energy infrastructure sector engage in the business
of transporting, processing or storing natural gas, natural gas liquids, coal, crude oil, refined
petroleum products and renewable energy resources. Companies in the downstream segment of the
energy infrastructure sector engage in distributing or marketing such commodities and companies in
the upstream segment of the energy infrastructure sector engage in exploring, developing, managing,
or producing such commodities. Under normal conditions, we intend to invest at least 90%
of our total assets (including assets obtained through leverage) in companies in the energy
infrastructure sector. Companies in the energy infrastructure sector include (i) companies that
derive a majority of their revenues from activities within the downstream, midstream and upstream
segments of the energy infrastructure sector, and (ii) companies that derive a majority of their
revenues from providing products or services to such companies. Our
investments are expected to range between $5.0 million and $30.0
million per investment, although investment sizes may be smaller or larger than this targeted
range.
We raised approximately $46.3 million of gross proceeds ($42.5 million of net proceeds)
through sales of 3,088,596 common shares and warrants to purchase 772,124 of our common shares, the
last of which occurred in January 2006. We raised an additional $18.4 million of net proceeds for
investment purposes in December 2006 in a private placement in which we sold 1,233,333 shares of
Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase 185,006 of our common shares. We
raised approximately $79.5 million of net proceeds in our initial public offering on February 7,
2007 through the sale of 5,740,000 of our common shares. On February 7, 2007, we redeemed all of
the Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock at $15.00 per share plus a 2 percent premium, for a total
redemption price of $18,870,000. None of our warrants were redeemed and all warrants expire on February 6, 2013. On April 23, 2007, we entered
into the new credit facility with U.S. Bank as a lender, agent and lead arranger, and Bank of
Oklahoma, N.A. The new credit facility replaces our previous revolving credit facility with U.S.
Bank. On July 18, 2007, the new credit facility was amended to increase the maximum principal amount of the revolving
credit facility from $20 million to $35 million. On September 28, 2007, the credit facility was further amended to increase the maximum principal amount of the revolving credit facility from $35.0 million to $40.0 million and include First National Bank of Kansas as a lender.
As of January 31, 2008, we had an outstanding balance of
$___ million under the new credit facility.
As
of January 31, 2008, we have invested a total of $___ million in ___ portfolio companies in
the U.S. energy infrastructure sector. Of the $___ million, we
have invested $___ million in the
midstream and downstream segments of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector, $___ million in the
upstream segment of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector and $___ million in other segments of
the U.S. energy infrastructure sector.
The
following table summarizes our investments in portfolio companies as
of August 31, 2007.
36
Eagle Rock Energy
Partners, L.P., EV Energy Partners, L.P. and Legacy Reserves L.P. are publicly-traded.
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Expected
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Company (Segment)
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Principal Business
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Funded Investment
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Yield to Cost
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Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P. (Midstream)
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Gatherer and processor of natural gas in north and east Texas and
Louisiana
|
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$12.2 million in Common Units
|
|
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7.9 |
%(1)
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High Sierra Energy, L.P. (Midstream)
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Marketer, processor and transporter of hydrocarbons with
operations primarily in Colorado, Wyoming and Florida
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$24.8 million in Common Units
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9.8
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%(1)
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High Sierra Energy, GP, LLC (Midstream)
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General Partner of High Sierra Energy, L.P.
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$2.4 million in GP Interests
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2.0
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%(3)
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Quest Midstream Partners, L.P. (Midstream)
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Operator of natural gas gathering pipeline network in the
Cherokee Basin of west Texas and New Mexico |
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$22.2 million in Common Units
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9.0
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%(1)
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Millennium Midstream Partners, L.P. (Midstream)
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Gatherer and processor of natural gas in Texas, Louisiana and
offshore Gulf of Mexico
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$17.5 million in Class A Common Units (including Incentive
Distribution Rights)
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8.5
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%(1)
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LONESTAR Midstream Partners, LP (Midstream)
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Gatherer and processor of natural gas in six counties in Texas
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$23.4 million in Class A Common Units
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8.0
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%(1)(4)
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LSMP GP LP (Midstream)
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General Partner of Lonestar Midstream Partners, LP
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$0.5 million in GP LP Units (including GP interest in
Incentive Distribution Rights)
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1.7
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%(1)(4)
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Mowood, LLC (Downstream)
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Natural gas distribution in central
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$1.5 million in LLC Units
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10.6
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%(2)
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Missouri with Department of Defense contract through 2014 and
landfill gas to energy projects
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$7.1 million in unsecured subordinated debt
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12.0
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%
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Legacy Reserves, L.P. (Upstream)
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Oil and natural gas exploitation and development in the Permian
Basin
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$4.5 million in Limited Partner Units
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10.1
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%(1)
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Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. (Upstream)
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Natural gas and oil exploitation and development in the Delaware
and Gulf Coast Basins of Texas
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$7.5 million in Common Units
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9.0
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%(1)
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EV Energy Partners, L.P. (Upstream)
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Acquirer, producer and developer of oil and gas properties
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$7.5 million in Common Units
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6.5
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%(1)
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VantaCore Partners, L.P. (Aggregate)
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Acquirer and operator of aggregate companies with quarry and
asphalt operations in Tennessee
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$8.5 million in Common Units (including Incentive Distribution
Rights)
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9.5
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%(1)
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$3.8 million in a secured credit facility
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10.7
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%(3)
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International Resource Partners L.P. (Coal)
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Operator of both metallurgical and steam coal mines in Central
Appalachia
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$10.0 million in Class A Common Units
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8.0
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%(1)
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Total Investments
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$153.4
million
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37
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(1) |
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The expected yield to cost has been calculated by annualizing the most
recent or anticipated recurring distribution and dividing by the
amount invested in the underlying security. Actual distributions to us
are based on each companys available cash flow. Distributions may be
above or below the current yield to cost and are subject to change. |
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(2) |
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Represents an equity distribution on our invested capital
equal to 10%. We expect
that, pending cash availability, such equity distributions will recur
on an annual basis at or above such yield. |
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(3) |
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Floating interest rate |
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(4) |
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Distributions are paid in kind |
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We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed end investment company that has elected
to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. As a BDC, we are subject to numerous regulations and
restrictions.
Our Advisor
We are managed by Tortoise Capital Advisors, a registered investment advisor specializing in
the energy sector that had approximately $2.9 billion of assets under
management as of January 31,
2008, including the assets of three other publicly traded closed-end management investment
companies. Our Advisors
aggregate managed capital is among the largest of investment advisors managing closed-end
management companies focused on the energy sector.
Our advisor also manages the investments of TYG, TYY, TYN, TTRF and
TGOC. TYG is a publicly-traded, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company focused primarily on investing in MLPs in the midstream
segment of the energy infrastructure sector. TYY is a publicly-traded, non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company focused primarily on investing in MLPs in the midstream segment of the energy infrastructure
sector. TYN is a publicly-traded, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company focused primarily
on investing in publicly traded upstream Canadian royalty trusts and midstream and downstream income trusts, and
publicly traded U.S. MLPs. TTRF is a privately held, closed-end management investment company owned
primarily by institutions and focused primarily on investing in MLPs in the midstream segment of the energy
infrastructure sector. TGOC is a privately held, closed-end management investment company focused primarily on
investing in companies in the upstream and midstream gas and oil segments of the energy sector.
On October 17, 2007, TGOC filed a registration statement on Form N-2
with the SEC to register the initial public offering of its common stock. Our Advisor has limited experience managing a BDC, which is subject to
different regulations than the other closed-end management investment companies managed by our
Advisor. The members of our Advisors investment committee have
an average of over 20 years of financial
investment experience.
FCM Tortoise,
L.L.C. (FCM) and Kansas City Equity Partners LC (KCEP) control our Advisor through their equity
ownership and management rights in our Advisor. FCM has no operations and serves as a holding company.
FCMs ownership interest was held by Fountain Capital Management, L.L.C. (Fountain Capital).
Fountain Capitals ownership in our Advisor was transferred to FCM, a recently formed entity with the same
principals as Fountain Capital, effective as of August 2, 2007. The transfer did not result in a change in
control of our Advisor.
Our
Advisor has 30 full time employees. Seven of our Advisors investment professionals
are responsible for the origination, structuring and managing of our investments.
These seven investment professionals have over 130 years of combined experience in energy,
leveraged finance, investment banking and private equity investing. Each of our Advisors investment decisions will be
reviewed and approved by its investment committee, which also acts as the investment committee for
TYG, TYY, TYN, TTRF and TGOC.
38
If TYG,
TYY, TYN, TTRF or TGOC were ever to target investment opportunities
similar to ours, our Advisor intends to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable
manner consistent with our investment objective and strategies and in accordance with written
allocation policies of our Advisor, so that we will not be disadvantaged in relation to any other
client. See Risk Factors Risks Related to Our Operations.
Our Advisor has retained Kenmont as a sub-advisor. Kenmont is a Houston, Texas-based
registered investment advisor with experience investing in privately-held and public companies in
the U.S. energy and power sectors. Kenmont provides additional contacts to us and enhances our
number and range of potential investment opportunities. The principals of Kenmont have collectively
created and managed private equity portfolios in excess of $1.5 billion and have over 50 years of
experience working for investment banks, commercial banks, accounting firms, operating companies
and money management firms. Kenmont has no prior experience managing a BDC. Our Advisor compensates
Kenmont for the services it provides to us. Our Advisor also indemnifies and holds us harmless from
any obligation to pay or reimburse Kenmont for any fees or expenses incurred by Kenmont in
providing such services to us. Entities managed by Kenmont own approximately 7.5% of our
outstanding common shares and warrants to purchase an additional 281,666 of our common shares. See
Advisor Sub-Advisor Arrangement.
U.S. Energy Infrastructure Sector Focus
We pursue our investment objective by investing principally in a portfolio of privately-held
and micro-cap public companies in the U.S. energy infrastructure sector. The energy infrastructure
sector can be broadly categorized as follows:
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Midstream the gathering, processing, storing and transmission of energy resources and
their byproducts in a form that is usable by wholesale power generation, utility,
petrochemical, industrial and gasoline customers, including pipelines, gas processing
plants, liquefied natural gas facilities and other energy infrastructure. |
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Downstream the refining, marketing and distribution of refined energy sources, such as
customer-ready natural gas, natural gas liquids, propane and gasoline, to end-user
customers, and customers engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of power
and electricity. |
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Upstream the development and extraction of energy resources, including natural gas and
crude oil from onshore and offshore geological reservoirs as well as from renewable sources,
including agricultural, thermal, solar, wind and biomass. |
We focus our investments in the midstream and downstream segments, and to a lesser extent the
upstream segment, of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector. We also intend to allocate our
investments among asset types and geographic regions within the U.S. energy infrastructure sector.
We believe that the midstream segment of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector will provide
attractive investment opportunities as a result of the following factors:
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Strong Supply and Demand Fundamentals. The U.S. is the largest consumer of crude oil and
natural gas products, the third largest producer of crude oil and the second largest
producer of natural gas products in the world. The United States Department of Energys
Energy Information Administration, or EIA, annually projects that domestic natural gas and
refined petroleum products consumption will increase by 0.8% and 1.1%, respectively, through
2030. The midstream energy infrastructure segment provides the critical link between the
suppliers of crude oil, natural gas, refined products and other forms of energy, whether
domestically-sourced or imported, and the end-user. Midstream energy infrastructure
companies are typically asset-intensive, with minimal variable cost requirements, providing
operating leverage that allows them to generate attractive cash flow growth even with
limited demand-driven or supply-driven growth. |
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Substantial Capital Requirements. We believe, based on industry sources, that
approximately $20 billion of capital was invested in the midstream segment of the U.S.
energy infrastructure sector during 2006. We believe that additional capital expenditures in
the U.S. energy infrastructure sector will result from the signing of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 on August 8, 2005, which incorporates a number of incentives for additional
investments in the energy infrastructure sector including business investment tax credits
and accelerated tax depreciation. |
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Substantial Asset Ownership Realignment. We believe that in the midstream and downstream
segments of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector, the acquisition and divestiture market
has averaged approximately $34 billion of annual transactions between 2001 and 2006. We
believe that such activity, particularly in the midstream segment, will continue as: larger
integrated companies with high cost structures continue to divest energy infrastructure
assets to smaller, more entrepreneurial companies; |
39
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MLPs continue to pursue acquisitions to
drive distribution growth; and private equity firms seek to aggregate midstream U.S. energy
infrastructure assets for contribution to existing or newly-formed MLPs or other public or
private entities. |
We believe the downstream segment of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector also will provide
attractive investment opportunities as a result of the following factors:
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Strong Demand Fundamentals. We believe that long-term projected growth in demand for the
natural gas and refined petroleum products delivered to end-users by the downstream segment
of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector, combined with the 1.5% annual growth in domestic
power consumption projected by the EIA through 2030, will result in continued capital
expenditures and investment opportunities in the downstream segment of the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector. |
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Requirements to Develop New Downstream Infrastructure. With the trend towards increased
heavy crude supply, high light-heavy crude oil pricing differentials and the impact of
recent domestic capital-intensive environmental mandates, we believe that existing
downstream infrastructure will require new capital investment to maintain an aging asset
base as well as to upgrade the asset base to respond to the evolution of supply and
environmental regulations. |
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Substantial Number of Downstream Companies. There are numerous domestic companies in the
downstream segment of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector. For example, it is estimated by
industry sources that over 8,000 retail propane companies operate in the U.S., and the EIA
reports there are 114 domestic natural gas local distribution companies. We believe the
substantial number of domestic companies in the downstream segment of the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector provides consolidation opportunities, particularly among propane
distributors. |
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Renewable Energy Resources Opportunities. The increasing domestic demand for energy,
recently passed energy legislation and the rising cost of carbon-based energy supplies have
all encouraged a renewed and growing interest in renewable energy resources. We believe that
downstream renewable energy resource assets will be brought on-line, particularly for
producing and processing ethanol. We believe the demand for related project
financing will continue to grow and provide investment opportunities consistent with our
investment objective. |
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Although not part of our core focus, we believe the upstream segment of the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector will benefit from strong long-term demand fundamentals and will provide
attractive investment opportunities.
Market Opportunity
We believe the environment for investing in privately-held and micro-cap public companies in
the energy infrastructure sector is attractive for the following reasons:
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Increased Demand Among Small and Middle Market Private Companies for Capital. We believe
many private and micro-cap public companies have faced increased difficulty accessing the
capital markets due to a continuing preference by investors for |
40
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issuances in larger
companies with more liquid securities. Such difficulties have been magnified in
asset-focused and capital intensive industries such as the U.S. energy infrastructure
sector. We believe that the energy infrastructure sectors high level of
projected capital expenditures and continuing acquisition and divestiture activity will provide
us with numerous attractive investment opportunities. |
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Finance Market for Small and Middle Market Energy Companies is Underserved by Many
Capital Providers. We believe that many lenders have, in recent years, de-emphasized their
service and product offerings to small and middle market energy companies in favor of
lending to large corporate clients and managing capital markets transactions. We believe, in
addition, that many capital providers lack the necessary technical expertise to evaluate the
quality of the underlying assets of small and middle market private companies and micro-cap
public companies in the energy infrastructure sector and lack a network of relationships
with such companies. |
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Attractive Companies with Limited Access to Other Capital. We believe there are, and
will continue to be, attractive companies that will benefit from private equity investments
prior to a public offering of their equity, whether as an MLP or otherwise. We also believe
that there are a number of companies in the midstream and downstream segments of the U.S.
energy infrastructure sector with the same stable cash flow characteristics as those being
acquired by MLPs or funded by private equity capital in anticipation of contribution to an
MLP. We believe that many such companies are not being acquired by MLPs or attracting
private equity capital because they do not produce income that qualifies for inclusion in an
MLP pursuant to the applicable U.S. Federal income tax laws, are perceived by such investors
as too small, or are in areas of the midstream energy infrastructure segment in which most
MLPs do not have specific expertise. We believe that these companies represent attractive
investment candidates for us. |
Competitive Advantages
We believe that we are well positioned to meet the financing needs of the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector for the following reasons:
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Existing Investment Platform with Experience and Focus on the Energy Infrastructure
Sector. We believe that our Advisors current investment platform provides us with
significant advantages in sourcing, evaluating, executing and managing investments. As of
January 31, 2008, our Advisor managed investments of
approximately $2.9 billion in the energy
sector, including the assets of three other publicly traded closed-end management investment
companies. Our Advisor
created the first publicly traded closed-end management investment company focused primarily
on investing in MLPs involved in the energy infrastructure sector, and its aggregate managed
capital is among the largest of those closed-end management investment company advisors
focused on the energy infrastructure sector. |
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Experienced Management Team. The members of our Advisors investment committee have an
average of over 20 years of financial investment experience. Our
Advisors seven investment professionals are responsible for the structuring and managing of
our investments and have over 130 years of combined experience
in energy, leveraged finance, investment banking and private equity investing. We believe that as a result of this extensive experience, the
members of our Advisors investment committee and our Advisors investment
professionals have developed strong reputations in the capital markets, particularly in the
energy infrastructure sector, that we believe affords us a competitive advantage in
identifying and investing in energy infrastructure companies. |
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Disciplined Investment Philosophy. In making its investment decisions, our Advisor
intends to continue the disciplined investment approach that it has utilized since its
founding. That investment approach emphasizes significant current income with the potential
for enhanced returns through dividend growth, capital appreciation, low volatility and
minimization of downside risk. Our Advisors investment process involves an assessment of
the overall attractiveness of the specific subsector of the energy infrastructure segment in
which a prospective portfolio company is involved; such companys specific competitive
position within that subsector; potential commodity price, supply and demand and regulatory
concerns; the stability and potential growth of the |
41
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prospective portfolio companys cash
flows; the prospective portfolio companys management track record and incentive structure
and our Advisors ability to structure an attractive investment. |
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Flexible Transaction Structuring. We are not subject to many of the regulatory
limitations that govern traditional lending institutions such as commercial banks. As a
result, we can be flexible in structuring investments and selecting the types of securities
in which we invest. Our Advisors investment professionals have substantial
experience in structuring investments that balance the needs of energy infrastructure
companies with appropriate risk control. |
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Extended Investment Horizon. Unlike private equity and venture capital funds, we are not
subject to standard periodic capital return requirements. These provisions often force
private equity and venture capital funds to seek quicker returns on their investments
through mergers, public equity offerings or other liquidity events than may otherwise be
desirable, potentially resulting in both a lower overall return to investors and an adverse
impact on their portfolio companies. We believe our flexibility to make investments with a
long-term view and without the capital return requirements of traditional private investment
funds enhances our ability to generate attractive returns on invested capital. |
Targeted Investment Characteristics
We anticipate that our targeted investments will have the following characteristics:
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Long-Life Assets with Stable Cash Flows and Limited Commodity Price Sensitivity. We
anticipate that most of our investments will be made in companies with assets having the
potential to generate stable cash flows over long periods of time. We intend to invest a
portion of our assets in companies that own and operate assets with long useful lives and
that generate cash flows by providing critical services primarily to the producers or
end-users of energy. We expect to limit the direct exposure to commodity price risk in our
portfolio. We intend to target companies that have a majority of their cash flows generated
by contractual obligations. |
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Experienced Management Teams with Energy Infrastructure Focus. We intend to make
investments in companies with management teams that have a track record of success and who
often have substantial knowledge and focus in particular segments of the energy
infrastructure sector or with certain types of assets. We expect that our management teams
extensive experience and network of business relationships in the energy infrastructure
sector will allow us to identify and attract portfolio company management teams that meet
these criteria. |
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Fixed Asset-Intensive. We anticipate that most of our investments will be made in
companies with a relatively significant base of fixed assets that we believe will provide
for reduced downside risk compared to making investments in companies with lower relative
fixed asset levels. As fixed asset-intensive companies typically have less variable cost
requirements, we expect they will generate attractive cash flow growth even with limited
demand-driven or supply-driven growth. |
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Limited Technological Risk. We do not intend to target investment opportunities
involving the application of new technologies or significant geological, drilling or
development risk. |
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Exit Opportunities. We focus our investments on prospective portfolio companies that we
believe will generate a steady stream of cash flow to generate returns on our investments,
as well as allow such companies to reinvest in their respective businesses. We expect that
such internally generated cash flow will lead to distributions or the repayment of the
principal of our investments in portfolio companies and will be a key means by which we
monetize our investments over time. In addition, we seek to invest in companies whose
business models and expected future cash flows offer attractive exit possibilities. These
companies include candidates for strategic acquisition by other industry participants and
companies that may repay, or provide liquidity for, our investments through an initial
public offering of common MLP units, common stock or other capital markets transactions. We
believe our Advisors investment experience will help us identify such companies. |
Investment Overview
Our portfolio primarily is, and we expect it to continue to be, comprised of equity and debt
securities acquired through individual investments of approximately $5.0 million to $30.0 million
in privately-held and micro-cap public companies in the U.S. energy infrastructure sector. It is
anticipated that any publicly traded companies in which we invest will have a market capitalization
of less than $250 million.
42
Investment Selection
Our Advisor uses an investment selection process modeled after the investment selection
process utilized by our Advisor in connection with the publicly traded closed-end funds it manages,
TYG, TYY and TYN. Our Advisors investment professionals, will be responsible for the negotiation, structuring and managing of our
investments, and will operate under the oversight of our Advisors investment committee.
Target Portfolio Company Characteristics
We have identified several quantitative, qualitative and relative value criteria that we
believe are important in identifying and investing in prospective portfolio companies. While these
criteria provide general guidelines for our investment decisions, we caution you that not all of
these criteria may be met by each prospective portfolio company in which we choose to invest.
Generally, we intend to utilize our access to information generated by our Advisors investment
professionals to identify prospective portfolio companies and to structure investments efficiently
and effectively.
Midstream and Downstream Segment Focus
We focus on prospective companies in the midstream and downstream segments, and to a lesser
extent the upstream segment, of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector.
Qualified Management Team
We generally require that our portfolio companies have an experienced management team with a
verifiable track record in the relevant product or service industry. We will seek companies with
management teams having strong technical, financial, managerial and operational capabilities,
established appropriate governance policies, and proper incentives to induce management to succeed
and act in concert with our interests as investors, including having meaningful equity investments.
Current Yield Plus Growth Potential
We focus on prospective portfolio companies with a distinct value orientation in which we can
invest at relatively low multiples of operating cash flow, that generate a current cash return at
the time of investment and that possess good prospects for growth. Typically, we would not expect
to invest in start-up companies or companies having speculative business plans.
Distributions Received from Investments
We generate revenues in the form of capital gains and distributions on dividend-paying equity
securities, warrants, options, or other equity interests that we have acquired in our portfolio
companies and in the form of interest payable on the debt investments that we hold. We intend to
acquire equity securities that pay cash distributions on a recurring or customized basis. We
currently intend to structure our debt investments to provide for quarterly or other periodic
interest payments. In addition to the cash yields received on our investments, in some instances,
our investments may also include any of the following: end of term payments, exit fees, balloon
payment fees or prepayment fees, any of which may be required to be included in income prior to
receipt. In some cases we may structure debt investments to provide that interest is not payable in
cash, or not entirely in cash, but is instead payable in securities of the issuer or is added to
the principal of the debt. The amortization of principal on our debt investments may be deferred
until maturity. We also expect to generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination,
structuring, or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance, and possibly consulting
fees.
Strong Competitive Position
We focus on prospective portfolio companies that have developed strong market positions within
their respective markets and that are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities. We
seek to invest in companies that demonstrate competitive advantages that should help to protect
their market position and profitability.
Sensitivity Analyses
We generally perform sensitivity analyses to determine the effects of changes in market
conditions on any proposed investment. These sensitivity analyses may include, among other things,
simulations of changes in energy commodity prices, changes in interest rates, changes in economic
activity and other events that would affect the performance of our investment. In general, we will
not
43
commit to any proposed investment that will not provide at least a minimum return under any of
these analyses and, in particular, the sensitivity analysis relating to changes in energy commodity
prices.
Investment Process and Due Diligence
In conducting due diligence, our Advisor uses available public information and information
obtained from its relationships with former and current management teams, vendors and suppliers to
prospective portfolio companies, investment bankers, consultants and other advisors. Although our
Advisor uses research provided by third parties when available, primary emphasis is placed on
proprietary analysis and valuation models conducted and maintained by our Advisors in-house
investment professionals.
The due diligence process followed by our Advisors investment professionals is highly
detailed and structured. Our Advisor exercises discipline with respect to company valuation and
institutes appropriate structural protections in our investment agreements. After our Advisors
investment professionals undertake initial due diligence of a prospective portfolio company, more extensive due diligence by our
Advisors investment professionals, if appropriate, will be undertaker. The due diligence process
typically includes:
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review of historical and prospective financial information; |
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review and analysis of financial models and projections; |
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for many midstream and upstream investments, review of third party engineering reserve
reports and internal engineering reviews; |
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on-site visits; |
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legal reviews of the status of the potential portfolio companys title to any assets
serving as collateral and liens on such assets; |
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environmental diligence and assessments; |
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interviews with management, employees, customers and vendors of the prospective portfolio company; |
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research relating to the prospective portfolio companys industry, regulatory
environment, products and services and competitors; |
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review of financial, accounting and operating systems; |
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review of relevant corporate, partnership and other loan documents; and |
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research relating to the prospective portfolio companys management and contingent
liabilities, including background and reference checks using our Advisors industry contact
base and commercial data bases and other investigative sources. |
Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by our
legal counsel and accountants, as well as by other outside advisors and consultants, as
appropriate.
Upon the conclusion of the due diligence process, our Advisors investment professionals
present a detailed investment proposal to our Advisors
investment committee. The Advisors seven investment professionals have over 130 years of combined experience in energy, leveraged
finance, investment banking and private equity investing. The members of our Advisors investment committee have an
average of over 20 years of financial investment experience. All decisions to invest in a portfolio
company must be approved by the unanimous decision of our Advisors investment committee.
Investment Structure and Types of Investments
Once our Advisors investment committee has determined that a prospective portfolio company is
suitable for investment, we work with the management of that company and its other capital
providers, including other senior and junior debt and equity capital providers, if any, to
structure an investment. We negotiate among these parties to agree on how our investment is
expected to perform relative to the other capital in the portfolio companys capital structure. We
may invest up to 30% of our total assets in assets that are
44
non qualifying assets in among other things, high yield bonds, bridge loans, distressed debt,
commercial loans, private equity and securities of public companies or secondary market purchases
of securities of target portfolio companies.
The types of securities in which we may invest include, but are not limited to, the following:
Equity Investments
We expect our equity investments will likely consist of common or preferred equity (generally
limited partner interests, including interests in MLPs, and limited liability company interests)
that is expected to pay distributions on a current basis. Preferred equity generally has a
preference over common equity as to distributions during operations
and upon liquidation. In general, we
expect that our equity investments will not be control-oriented investments and we may acquire
equity securities as part of a group of private equity investors in which we are not the lead
investor. In many cases, we also may obtain registration rights in connection with these equity
interests, which may include demand and piggyback registration rights.
In addition to limited partner interests and limited liability company interests, we may also
purchase, among others, general partner interests, common and preferred stock, convertible
securities, warrants and depository receipts of companies that are organized as corporations,
limited partnerships or limited liability companies. We may also
invest in the securities of entities formed as joint ventures with
companies in the energy infrastructure sector to spin off assets
deemed to be better suited for ownership through a separate entity or
to construct greenfield projects.
Debt Investments
Our debt investments may be secured or unsecured. In general, our debt investments will not be
control-oriented investments and we may acquire debt securities as a part of a group of investors
in which we are not the lead investor. We anticipate structuring a significant amount of our debt
investments as mezzanine loans. Mezzanine loans typically are unsecured, and usually rank
subordinate in priority of payment to senior debt, such as senior bank debt, but senior to common
and preferred equity, in a borrowers capital structure. We expect to invest in a range of debt
investments generally having a term of five to ten years and bearing interest at either a fixed or
floating rate. These loans typically will have interest-only payments in the early years, with
amortization of principal deferred to the later years of the term of the loan.
In addition to bearing fixed or variable rates of interest, mezzanine loans also may provide
an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation of a borrower through an equity interest.
We expect this equity interest will typically be in the form of a warrant. Due to the relatively
higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants, as compared to senior loans, mezzanine
loans generally earn a higher return than senior loans. The warrants associated with mezzanine
loans are typically detachable, which allows lenders to receive repayment of principal while
retaining their equity interest in the borrower. In some cases, we anticipate that mezzanine loans
may be collateralized by a subordinated lien on some or all of the assets of the borrower.
In some cases, our debt investments may provide for a portion of the interest payable to be
payment-in-kind interest. To the extent interest is payment-in-kind, it will likely be payable
through the increase of the principal amount of the loan by the amount of interest due on the
then-outstanding aggregate principal amount of such loan.
We tailor the terms of our debt investments to the facts and circumstances of the transaction
and the prospective portfolio company, negotiating a structure that aims to protect our rights and
manage risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan and
improve its profitability. For example, in addition to seeking a position senior to common and
preferred equity in the capital structure of our portfolio companies, we will seek, where
appropriate, to limit the downside potential of our debt investments by:
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requiring a total return on our investments (including both interest and potential equity
appreciation) that compensates us for our credit risk; |
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incorporating put rights and call protection into the investment structure; and |
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negotiating covenants in connection with our investments that afford portfolio companies
as much flexibility in managing their businesses as possible, consistent with preservation
of our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative and negative covenants, default
penalties, lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either
observation or participation rights. |
45
Warrants
Our investments may include warrants or options to establish or increase an equity interest in
the portfolio company. Warrants we receive in connection with an investment may require only a
nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve
additional investment return from this equity interest. We may structure the warrants to provide
provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as puts, or rights to sell
such securities back to the portfolio company, upon the occurrence of specified events. In certain
cases, we also may obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may
include demand and piggyback registration rights.
Investments
We believe that our Advisors expertise in investing in small and middle market companies in
the midstream and downstream segments of the U.S. energy infrastructure sector, and our Advisors
experience as an investment advisor in the energy infrastructure sector, positions our Advisor to
identify and capitalize on desirable investment opportunities. In addition, we believe that our
Advisors regular contact with companies in the energy infrastructure sector, investment bankers
engaged in financing and merger and acquisition advisory work, and other professionals providing
services to growth companies in the energy infrastructure sector, will contribute to the number of
quality investment opportunities that we can evaluate.
As
of January 31, 2008, we have invested approximately
$___ million in ___ portfolio
companies in the energy infrastructure sector.
46
Ongoing Relationships with Portfolio Companies
Monitoring
The investment professionals of our Advisor monitor each portfolio company to determine
progress relative to meeting the companys business plan and to assess the appropriate strategic
and tactical courses of action for the company. This monitoring may be accomplished by attendance
at board of directors meetings, the review of periodic operating reports and financial reports, an
analysis of relevant reserve information and capital expenditure plans, and periodic consultations
with engineers, geologists, and other experts. The performance of each portfolio company is also
periodically compared to performance of similarly sized companies with comparable assets and
businesses to assess performance relative to peers. Our Advisors monitoring activities are
expected to provide it with the necessary access to monitor compliance with existing covenants, to
enhance its ability to make qualified valuation decisions, and to assist its evaluation of the
nature of the risks involved in each individual investment. In addition, these monitoring
activities should permit our Advisor to diagnose and manage the common risk factors held by our
total portfolio, such as sector concentration, exposure to a single financial sponsor, or
sensitivity to a particular geography.
As part of the monitoring process, our Advisor continually assesses the risk profile of each
of our investments and rates them on a scale of 1 to 3 based on the following categories:
(1) The portfolio company is performing at or above expectations and the trends and risk
factors are generally favorable to neutral.
(2) The portfolio company is performing below expectations and the investments risk has
increased materially since origination. The portfolio company is generally out of compliance with
various covenants; however, payments are generally not more than 120 days past due.
(3) The portfolio company is performing materially below expectations and the investment risk
has substantially increased since origination. Most or all of the covenants are out of compliance
and payments are substantially delinquent. Investment is not expected to provide a full repayment
of the amount invested.
As
of August 31, 2007, all of our portfolio companies have a rating of (1).
Managerial Assistance
The investment professionals of our Advisor make available, and will provide upon request,
significant managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. This assistance may involve, among
other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and
management meetings, consulting with and advising the management teams of our portfolio companies,
assisting in the formulation of their strategic plans, and providing other operational,
organizational and financial consultation. Involvement with each portfolio company will vary based
on a number of factors.
Valuation Process
We value our portfolio in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles and will rely on multiple
valuation techniques, reviewed on a quarterly basis by our board
of directors. Our board of directors undertakes a multi-step
valuation process each quarter in connection with determining
the fair value of our private company investments:
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Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio
company or investment being initially valued by the investment
professionals of our Advisor. As part of this process, materials
are prepared containing their supporting analysis;
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The Investment Committee of our Advisor reviews the preliminary
valuations, and the investment professionals of our Advisor
consider and assess, as appropriate, any changes that may be
required to the preliminary valuation to address any comments
provided by the Investment Committee of our Advisor;
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Our board of directors assesses the valuations and ultimately
determines the fair value of each private company investment in our portfolio in
good faith; and
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An independent valuation firm engaged by us to advise our board
of directors performs certain limited procedures that our board of directors has
identified and asked them to perform on a selection of these
valuations as determined by our board of directors.
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We have retained Duff & Phelps, LLC, an independent
valuation firm, to advise our board of directors and provide
third-party valuation consulting services which consists of
certain limited procedures that our board of directors has
identified and requested they perform. Upon completion of such limited procedures,
Duff & Phelps, LLC will review the fair value, as
determined by us, of those investments subjected to their
limited procedures, and make a determination as to whether the
fair value, as determined by us, does or does not appear to be
unreasonable. Duff & Phelps, LLCs limited
procedures do not and will not involve an audit, review,
compilation or any other form of examination or attestation
under generally accepted auditing
47
standards. Our board of directors is solely responsible for
determining the fair value of the investments in good faith.
Duff & Phelps, LLC is not responsible for determining
the fair value of any individual investment or portfolio of
investments, nor are the limited procedures performed by
Duff & Phelps, LLC intended to be used to determine
fair value of any investment or portfolio of investment. The
limited procedures performed by Duff & Phelps, LLC are
supplementary to the inquiries and procedures that the board of
directors is required to undertake to determine the fair value
of the investments in good faith.
Determination of fair values involves subjective judgments and
estimates. The notes to our financial statements will refer to
the uncertainty with respect to the possible effects of such
valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial
statements.
Competition
We compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks and commercial
financing companies to make the types of investments that we plan to make in the U.S. energy
infrastructure sector. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably
greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us. For example, some competitors may
have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition,
some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, allowing
them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us.
Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940
Act imposes on us as a BDC. These competitive conditions may adversely affect our ability to make
investments in the energy infrastructure sector and could adversely affect our distributions to
stockholders.
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices
Since we will generally acquire and dispose of our investments in privately negotiated
transactions, we infrequently will use brokers in the normal course of our business. Subject to
policies established by our board of directors, we do not expect to execute transactions through
any particular broker or dealer, but will seek to obtain the best net results for us, taking into
account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread),
size of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm and the firms risk
and skill in positioning blocks of securities. While we will generally seek reasonably competitive
trade execution costs, we will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available.
Subject to applicable legal requirements, we may select a broker based partly on brokerage or
research services provided to us. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than
other brokers would charge if it determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in
relation to the services provided.
Proxy Voting Policies
We, along with our Advisor have adopted proxy voting policies and procedures (Proxy Policy),
that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in our best interests and
the best interests of our stockholders. Subject to its oversight, the board of directors has
delegated responsibility for implementing the Proxy Policy to our Advisor.
In the event requests for proxies are received with respect to the voting of equity
securities, on routine matters, such as election of directors or approval of auditors, the proxies
usually will be voted with management unless our Advisor determines it has a conflict or our
Advisor determines there are other reasons not to vote with management. On non-routine matters,
such as amendments to governing instruments, proposals relating to compensation and stock option
and equity compensation plans, corporate governance proposals and stockholder proposals, our
Advisor will vote, or abstain from voting if deemed appropriate, on a case by case basis in a
manner it believes to be in the best economic interest of our stockholders. In the event requests
for proxies are received with respect to debt securities, our Advisor will vote on a case by case
basis in a manner it believes to be in the best economic interest of our stockholders.
Our Chief Executive Officer is responsible for monitoring our actions and ensuring that (i)
proxies are received and forwarded to the appropriate decision makers, and (ii) proxies are voted
in a timely manner upon receipt of voting instructions. We are not responsible for voting proxies
we do not receive, but will make reasonable efforts to obtain missing proxies. Our Chief Executive
Officer will implement procedures to identify and monitor potential conflicts of interest that
could affect the proxy voting process, including (i) significant client relationships, (ii) other
potential material business relationships, and (iii) material personal and family relationships.
All decisions regarding proxy voting will be determined by our Advisors investment committee and
will be executed by our Chief Executive Officer. Every effort will be made to consult with the
portfolio manager and/or analyst covering the security. We may determine not to vote a particular
proxy, if the costs and burdens exceed the benefits of voting (e.g., when securities are subject to
loan or to share blocking restrictions).
If a request for proxy presents a conflict of interest between our stockholders on one hand,
and our Advisor, the principal underwriters, or any affiliated persons of ours, on the other hand,
our management may (i) disclose the potential conflict to the board of directors and obtain
consent, or (ii) establish an ethical wall or other informational barrier between the persons
involved in the conflict and the persons making the voting decisions.
48
Staffing
We do not currently have or expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business
will be provided by individuals who are employees of our Advisor, pursuant to the terms of the
investment advisory agreement and the administrative services agreement. Each of our executive
officers described under Management is an employee of our Advisor.
Properties
Our
office is located at 10801 Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland
Park, Kansas 66210. We do not own any real estate or other physical
properties. The Adviser is the current leaseholder for all properties
in which we operate. We occupy these premises pursuant to our
Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administrative Services
Agreement with the Adviser. Our principal executive office is located
in Overland Park, Kansas and we also have operations in St. Louis,
Missouri and Alexandria, Virginia.
Legal Proceedings
Neither we nor our Advisor are currently subject to any material legal proceedings.
49
PORTFOLIO
COMPANIES
The following table sets forth a brief description of each
portfolio company and a description of the investment we have
made in each such company. We may on occasion hold seats on the
board of directors of a portfolio company and endeavor to obtain
board observation rights with respect to our portfolio
companies. For additional information regarding our portfolio
companies see our Schedule of Investments included in this
prospectus. Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P., EV Energy
Partners, L.P. and Legacy Reserves L.P. are publicly-traded.
Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. filed for its initial public
offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
July 13, 2007.
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Name of Portfolio
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Nature of its
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Title of Securities
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Percentage of
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Fair Market
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Company (Segment)
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Principal Business
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Held by Us
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Class Held
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Value(1)
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Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P. (Midstream)
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Gatherer and processor of natural gas in north and east Texas and Louisiana
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Registered Common Units(2)
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*
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$
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14.5 million
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High Sierra Energy, L.P. (Midstream)
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Marketer, processor and transporter of hydrocarbons with
operations primarily in Colorado, Wyoming and Florida
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Common Units
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7.91%
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$
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27.3 million
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High Sierra Energy GP, LLC (Midstream)
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General Partner of High Sierra Energy, L.P.
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GP Interest(3)
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*
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$
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2.8 million
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Quest Midstream Partners, L.P. (Midstream)
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Operator of natural gas gathering pipeline network in the
Cherokee Basin of west Texas and New Mexico and a distribution
pipeline in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma
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Common Units
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8.50%
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$
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20.5 million
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Millennium Midstream Partners, L.P. (Midstream)
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Gatherer and processor of natural gas in Texas, Louisiana and
offshore Gulf of Mexico
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Class A Common Units
Incentive Distribution Rights
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14.30%
7.80%
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$ $
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16.6 million
0.0(4)
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Lonestar Midstream Partners, LP (Midstream)
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Gatherer and processor of natural gas in six counties in Texas
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Class A Common Units
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24.34%
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$
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23.4 million
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LSMP GP LP (Midstream)
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General Partner of Lonestar Midstream Partners, LP
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GP LP Units
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6.00%
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$
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0.5 million
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Mowood, LLC(5) (Downstream)
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Natural gas distribution in central Missouri with Department of
Defense contract through 2014 and landfill gas to energy projects
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LLC Units
Subordinated Debt
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100%
100%
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$
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1.6 million
7.1 million
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Legacy Reserves L.P. (Upstream)
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Oil and natural gas exploitation and development in the Permian
Basin
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Registered Limited Partner Units
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*
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$
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6.1 million
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Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. (Upstream)
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Natural gas and oil exploitation and development in the Delaware
and Gulf Coast Basins of Texas
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Common Units
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*
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$
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7.5 million
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EV Energy Partners, L.P (Upstream)
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Acquirer, producer and developer of oil and gas properties with quarry operations in Tennessee
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Unregistered Limited Partner Units
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*
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$
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7.5 million
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VantaCore Partners L.P. (Aggregate)
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Acquirer and operator of aggregate companies
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Common Units
Secured Credit Facility
Incentive Distribution Rights
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27.59%
25.00%
7.89%
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$ $ $
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9.1 million
3.8 million
0.0(4)
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International Resource Partners L.P (Coal)
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Operator of both metallurgical and steam coal mines in Central
Appalachia
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Common Units
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9.35%
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$
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10.0 million
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Total Investments
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$
|
158.3 million
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
footnotes continued on following page
50
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Calculated as of August 31, 2007, except for investments
made after August 31, 2007 which are shown at cost. |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
On March 27, 2006 we purchased $12.5 million in
unregistered common units in Eagle Rock Pipeline, L.P. In
connection with the initial public offering on October 24,
2006 of Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P., the parent of Eagle
Rock Pipeline, 100% of our common units in Eagle Rock Pipeline
were converted into 498,847 unregistered common units
representing common units in Eagle Rock Energy. At the time of
the initial public offering of Eagle Rock Energy, we also
received a distribution of approximately $3.4 million in
cash on our common units in Eagle Rock Pipeline and purchased,
for approximately $3.5 million, 185,000 freely tradable
common units from Eagle Rock Energy. On November 21, 2006,
the underwriters of Eagle Rock Energys initial public
offering partially exercised their option to purchase additional
common units. Eagle Rock Energy used a portion of the proceeds
of that sale to redeem 24,776 of our unregistered common units,
resulting in a distribution to us of approximately
$0.5 million. Our remaining 474,071 previously unregistered
common units were included in a resale registration statement
that was declared effective on February 13, 2007. |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
In addition to our purchase of common units, we also obtained an
option to buy an interest in the general partner of High Sierra
Energy, L.P., High Sierra Energy GP, LLC. The option was
exercised on May 1, 2007. |
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Currently non-income producing. |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
We currently have the right to appoint both members of the
Management Committee of Mowood, LLC. |
|
Portfolio
Company Descriptions
Eagle
Rock Energy Partners, L.P. (Eagle Rock
Energy)
Eagle Rock Energy is a growth-oriented limited partnership
engaged in the business of gathering, compressing, treating,
processing, transporting and selling natural gas and
fractionating and transporting natural gas liquids, or NGLs. In
addition, the company acquires and exploits oil and natural gas
properties. The company conducts its
operations through Eagle Rock Pipeline, L.P. Eagle Rock
Energys principal office is located at 14950 Heathrow
Forest Pkwy., Suite 111, Houston, TX 77032.
High
Sierra Energy, L.P. (High Sierra)
High Sierra is a holding company with diversified midstream
energy assets focused on the processing, transportation and
marketing of hydrocarbons. The management team of High Sierra
includes former executives and founders of midstream private and
public companies focused on acquiring attractive assets at
reasonable multiples. To date, the companys purchased
assets include a natural gas liquids logistics and
transportation business in Colorado, natural gas gathering and
processing operations in Louisiana, a natural gas storage
facility in Mississippi, an ethanol terminal in Nevada, crude
and natural gas liquids trucking businesses in Kansas and
Colorado, a well water processing facility in Wyoming and two
asphalt processing, packaging and distribution terminals in
Florida. High Sierras principal office is located at 3773
Cherry Creek Drive North, Suite 655, Denver, CO 80209.
High
Sierra Energy GP, LLC (High Sierra GP)
High Sierra GP is the general partner of High Sierra. High
Sierra GPs principal office is located at 3773
Cherry Creek Drive North, Suite 655, Denver, CO 80209.
Quest
Midstream Partners, L.P. (Quest)
Quest was formed by the spin-off of Quest Resource
Corporations midstream coal bed methane natural gas
gathering assets. Quest Resource Corporation is an independent
publicly traded energy company with an emphasis on the
acquisition, production, exploration and development of coal bed
methane in southeastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Quest
operates a natural gas gathering pipeline network of
approximately 1,500 miles which primarily services Quest
Resource Corporation and recently purchased a distribution
pipeline in Missouri Kansas and Oklahoma. Quests principal
office is located at 9520 North May Street Suite 300
Oklahoma City, OK 73120.
51
Millennium
Midstream Partners, L.P. (Millennium)
Millennium is a natural gas gathering and processing company
with assets in Texas, Louisiana and offshore in the Gulf of
Mexico. Millenniums gathering business consists of over
500 miles of pipelines and its processing business consists
of interests in six plants. Millenniums principal office
is located at 10077 Grogans Mill Rd., Suite 200, The
Woodlands, TX 77380.
LONESTAR
Midstream Partners LP (Lonestar)
LONESTAR is an independent midstream natural gas services
provider. The company provides gathering, dehydration,
compression, and processing services to natural gas producers
targeting the Barnett-Shale in the Ft. Worth Basin located
outside of Ft. Worth, Texas. Lonestar currently provides
midstream services in six counties of the Barnett-Shale play,
and the company has the capacity to gather, compress and
transport over 350,000 Mcfd through the companys gathering
systems. Lonestars principal office is located at 433 East
Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, TX 75039.
LSMP
GP LP (LSMP GP)
LSMP GP is the general partner of Lonestar. LSMP GPs
principal office is located at 433 East Las Colinas Boulevard,
Suite 1200, Irving, TX 75039.
Mowood,
LLC (Mowood)
Mowood is a holding company whose assets include Omega Pipeline,
LLC (Omega) and Timberline Energy, LLC
(Timberline). Omega is a natural gas local
distribution company located on Fort Leonard Wood in
southwest Missouri. Omega is in the third year of a
ten-year contract with the Department of Defense pursuant to
which it provides natural gas to Fort Leonard Wood.
Timberline is an owner and developer of projects that convert
landfill gas to energy. We own 100% of the ownership interests
in Mowood. Mowoods principal office is located at
P.O. Box 2861, Ordinance Street, Building 2570,
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473.
Legacy
Reserves L.P. (Legacy)
Legacy has purchased, and expects to continue to purchase,
mature properties in the Permian Basin in Western Texas that
generate stable volumes of oil and natural gas with low rates of
decline. Legacy focuses on the exploitation of proved developed
reserves, instead of the more risky exploration of undeveloped
reserves and has hedged over 60% of production volumes expected
over the next five years. Legacys principal office is
located at 303 West Wall, Suite 1500, Midland, TX
79701.
Abraxas
Energy Partners, LP (Abraxas)
Abraxas was formed with Abraxas Petroleum Corp.s
long-lived, low-decline natural gas and oil reserves located in
the Delaware and Gulf Coast Basins of Texas. Abraxas Petroleum
Corp. is an independent publicly-traded energy company engaged
in the exploration and production of natural gas and oil in the
Permian Basin of West Texas, onshore Texas Gulf Coast and the
southern Powder River Basin in eastern Wyoming. Abraxas
principal office is located at 500 N. Loop 1604 East,
Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78232.
EV
Energy Partners, L.P. (EV)
EV is a master limited partnership engaged in acquiring,
producing and developing oil and gas properties. EVs
current properties are located in the Appalachian Basin,
primarily in Ohio and West Virginia and in the Monroe Field in
Northern Louisiana and Tennessee. EVs principal office is located at
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800, Houston, TX 77002.
52
VantaCore
Partners L.P. (VantaCore)
VantaCore is an aggregate company that operates a quarry and an
asphalt company in Clarksville, Tennessee. VantaCore is actively
engaged in acquiring aggregate companies. VantaCores
principal office is located at 666 Fifth Avenue,
26th Floor,
New York, NY 10103.
International
Resource Partners L.P. (IRP)
IRPs initial acquisition of surface and underground coal
mine operations in southern West Virginia is comprised of
metallurgical and steam coal reserves, a coal washing and
preparation plant, rail load-out facilities and a sales and
marketing subsidiary. IRPs principal office is located at
237 Park Avenue,
9th Floor,
New York, NY 10017.
53
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Our board of directors provides the overall supervision and review of our affairs. Management
of our portfolio is the responsibility of our Advisors investment committee. Our Advisors
investment committee is composed of five senior investment professionals, all of whom are managers
of our Advisor. Our Advisor has seven investment professionals who are responsible for the
structuring and managing of our investments.
The Advisors seven investment professionals have over 130 years
of combined experience in energy, leveraged finance, investment banking and private equity investing. For biographical
information about our Advisors investment professionals, see Advisor.
Investment Committee
Management of our portfolio will be the responsibility of our Advisors investment committee.
Our Advisors investment committee is comprised of its five Managing Directors: H. Kevin Birzer,
Zachary A. Hamel, Kenneth P. Malvey, Terry C. Matlack and David J. Schulte. All decisions to invest
in a portfolio company must be approved by the unanimous decision of our Advisors investment
committee and any one member of our Advisors investment committee can require our Advisor to sell
a security. Biographical information about each member of our Advisors investment committee is set
forth under Management Directors and Officers, below. Information regarding the amount of our
securities owned by each member of our Advisors investment committee is set forth under the
heading Control Persons and Principal Stockholders.
The following table provides information about the other accounts managed on a day-to-day
basis by each member of our Advisors investment committee as of
November 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Total Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
of Accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
Paying a |
|
Paying a |
|
|
Number of |
|
Assets of |
|
Performance |
|
Performance |
Name
of Manager |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Fee |
|
Fee |
H. Kevin Birzer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
2,480,728,908 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
88,935,836 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other accounts |
|
|
197 |
|
|
$ |
2,026,180,253 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Zachary A. Hamel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
2,480,728,908 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
88,935,836 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other accounts |
|
|
197 |
|
|
$ |
2,026,180,253 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Kenneth P. Malvey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
2,480,728,908 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
88,935,836 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other accounts |
|
|
197 |
|
|
$ |
2,026,180,253 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Terry C. Matlack |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
2,480,728,908 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other accounts |
|
|
177 |
|
|
$ |
230,109,731 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
David J. Schulte |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
2,480,728,908 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other accounts |
|
|
177 |
|
|
$ |
230,109,731 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
None of Messrs. Birzer, Hamel, Malvey, Matlack or Schulte receives any direct compensation
from the Company or any other of the managed accounts reflected in the table above. All such
accounts are managed by the Advisor or Fountain Capital. Messrs. Birzer, Hamel, Malvey, Matlack and Schulte are full-time
employees of the Advisor and receive a fixed salary for the services they provide. Each of Messrs.
Birzer, Hamel, Malvey, Matlack and Schulte own an equity interest in either KCEP or FCM
the two entities that control the Advisor, and each thus benefits from increases in the
net income of the Advisor.
54
MANAGEMENT
Directors and Officers
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors.
Accordingly, our board of directors provides broad supervision over our affairs, including
supervision of the duties performed by our Advisor. Certain employees of our Advisor are
responsible for our day-to-day operations. The names, ages and addresses of our directors and
specified executive officers, together with their principal occupations and other affiliations
during the past five years, are set forth below. Each director and officer will hold office for the
term to which he is elected and until his successor is duly elected and qualifies, or until he
resigns or is removed in the manner provided by law. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of
each director and officer is 10801 Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210. Our
board of directors consists of a majority of directors who are not interested persons (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of our Advisor or its affiliates. The directors who are interested persons (as
defined in the 1940 Act) are referred to as Interested Directors. Under our Charter, the board is
divided into three classes. Each class of directors will hold office for a three year term.
However, the initial members of the three classes have initial terms of one, two and three years,
respectively. At each annual meeting of our stockholders, the successors to the class of directors
whose terms expire at such meeting will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual
meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and until their
successors are duly elected and qualify.
The directors and officers of the Company and their principal occupations and other
affiliations during the past five years are set forth below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
with Company, |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
|
|
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Other Board |
|
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
Overseen by |
|
Positions |
Name and Age |
|
Time Served |
|
During Past Five Years |
|
Director(1) |
|
Held by Director |
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello, 47
|
|
Class III Director since
2005
|
|
Tenured Associate Professor of Risk Management and Insurance, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University (faculty member since 1999); Director of Graduate Personal Financial Planning Programs; formerly editor, Financial Services Review, (an academic journal dedicated to the study of individual financial management) (2001-2007); formerly, faculty member, Pennsylvania State University (1997-1999).
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
None |
55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
with Company, |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
|
|
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Other Board |
|
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
Overseen by |
|
Positions |
Name and Age |
|
Time Served |
|
During Past Five Years |
|
Director(1) |
|
Held by Director |
John R. Graham, 62
|
|
Class II Director since
2005
|
|
Executive-in-Residence and Professor of Finance (part-time), College of Business Administration, Kansas State University (has served as a professor or adjunct professor since 1970); Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Graham Capital Management, Inc., primarily a real estate development, investment and venture capital company; Owner of Graham Ventures, a business services and venture capital firm; part-time Vice President Investments, FB Capital Management, Inc. (a registered investment adviser), since 2007; formerly, CEO, Kansas Farm Bureau Financial Services, including seven affiliated insurance or financial service companies (1979-2000).
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Kansas State Bank |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Heath, 65
|
|
Class I Director since
2005
|
|
Retired in 1999. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, GE Capitals Employers Reinsurance Corporation (1989-1999); Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation since 1974.
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
None |
Interested Directors and Officers(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer, 48
|
|
Class II Director and
Chairman of the Board
since 2005
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor
since 2002; Partner, Fountain Capital Management (Fountain Capital)
(1990-present); formerly, Vice President, Corporate Finance
Department, Drexel Burnham Lambert (1986-1989); formerly, Vice
President, F. Martin Koenig & Co., an investment management firm (1983-1986); CFA designation since 1988.
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
None |
56
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
with Company, |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
|
|
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Other Board |
|
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
Overseen by |
|
Positions |
Name and Age |
|
Time Served |
|
During Past Five Years |
|
Director(1) |
|
Held by Director |
Terry C. Matlack, 51
|
|
Class I Director and
Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Treasurer since 2005
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor since 2002; Full-time Managing Director, Kansas City Equity Partners, L.C. (KCEP) (2001-2002); formerly, President, GreenStreet Capital, a private investment firm (1998-2001); CFA designation since 1985. |
|
|
6 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David J. Schulte, 46
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
since 2005; President
from 2005 to 2007
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor since 2002; Full-time Managing Director, KCEP (1993-2002); CFA designation since 1992. |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zachary A. Hamel, 42
|
|
Senior Vice President
since 2005; Secretary
from 2005 to 2007
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor since 2002; Partner, Fountain Capital (1997-present); CFA designation since 1998. |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth P. Malvey, 42
|
|
Senior Vice President and
Treasurer since 2005
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor since 2002; Partner, Fountain Capital (2002-present); formerly, Investment Risk Manager and member of the Global Office of Investments, GE Capitals Employers Reinsurance Corporation (1996-2002); CFA designation since 1996. |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
with Company, |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
|
|
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Other Board |
|
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
Overseen by |
|
Positions |
Name and Age |
|
Time Served |
|
During Past Five Years |
|
Director(1) |
|
Held by Director |
Edward Russell, 44
|
|
President since 2007
|
|
Senior Investment Professional of the
Advisor since 2006; formerly Managing Director
in investment banking department of
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company,
Incorporated responsible for all of
the energy and power transactions,
including all of the debt and equity
transactions for the three of the closed-end
public funds managed by the Advisor,
starting with the first public equity
offering in February of 2004
(1999-2006) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
This number includes TYG, TYY, TYN,TTRF, TGOC and us. Our Advisor also serves as
the investment advisor to TYG, TYY, TYN, TTRF and TGOC. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
As a result of their respective positions held with the Advisor or is
affiliates, these individuals are considered interested persons
within the meaning of the 1940 Act. |
Audit and Valuation Committee
Our board of directors has a standing Audit and Valuation Committee that consists of three
directors of the Company who are not interested persons (within the meaning of the 1940 Act)
(Independent Directors). The Audit and Valuation Committees function is to select an independent
registered public accounting firm to review our quarterly financial statements and conduct the
annual audit of our financial statements, review with the independent registered public accounting
firm the outline, scope and results of this annual audit, review the portfolio company valuations
proposed by our Advisors investment committee and review the performance and approval of all fees
charged by the independent registered public accounting firm for audit, audit-related and other
professional services. In addition, the Audit and Valuation Committee meets with the independent
registered public accounting firm and representatives of management to review accounting activities
and areas of financial reporting and control. For purposes of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Audit and
Valuation Committee has at least one member who is deemed to be a financial expert. The Audit and Valuation
Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board of Directors. The Audit and
Valuation Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and held two meetings during fiscal 2007. The
Audit and Valuation Committee members are Mr. Ciccotello (Chairman), Mr. Graham, and Mr. Heath.
Nominating, Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee
We have a Nominating, Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee (the Committee) that
consists exclusively of three Independent Directors. The Committees function is: (1) to identify
individuals qualified to become Board members, consistent with criteria approved by the Board, and
to recommend to the Board the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders and to
fill any vacancies; (2) to monitor the structure and membership of Board committees; (3) to
recommend to the Board director nominees for each committee; (4) review issues and developments
related to corporate governance issues and develop and recommend to the Board corporate governance
guidelines and procedures; (5) evaluate and make recommendations to the Board regarding director
compensation; and (6) oversee the evaluation of the Board and management. The Committee will
consider stockholder recommendations for nominees for membership to the Board so long as such
recommendations are made in accordance with our Bylaws. The members of the Committee are Conrad S.
Cicotello, John R. Graham (Chairman) and Charles E. Heath. The Committee meets periodically, as
necessary, and held three meetings during fiscal 2007.
58
Compliance Committee
We have a Compliance Committee that was formed in April 2007 and consists exclusively of three
Independent Directors. The Compliance Committees function is to review and assess managements
compliance with applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, monitor compliance with our Code
of Ethics, and handle other matters as the Board or committee chair deems appropriate. The
Compliance Committee members are Conrad S. Ciccotello, John R. Graham and Charles E. Heath
(Chairman). The Compliance Committee meets periodically, as necessary,
and held one meeting during fiscal 2007.
Compensation Table
Our directors and
officers who are interested persons receive no salary or fees from us. For the current fiscal year, each
Independent Director receives from us an annual retainer of $12,000 and a fee of $2,000 (and
reimbursement for related expenses) for each meeting of the Board or Audit and Valuation Committee
he or she attends in person (or $1,000 for each Board or Audit and Valuation Committee meeting
attended telephonically, or for each Audit and Valuation Committee meeting attended in person that
is held on the same day as a Board meeting). Independent Directors also receive $1,000 for each
other committee meeting attended in person or telephonically (other than Audit and Valuation
Committee meetings). The Chairman of the Audit and Valuation Committee receives an additional
annual retainer of $4,000. Each other committee chairman receives an additional annual retainer of
$1,000.
The
table below sets forth the compensation paid to our board of directors during fiscal 2007.
We do not compensate our officers. No director or officer is entitled to receive pension or
retirement benefits from us and no director received any compensation from us other than in cash.
59
Director Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
Compensation from |
|
Aggregate Compensation |
Name and Position with the Company |
|
the Company |
|
from the Fund Complex (1) |
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello |
|
$ |
31,000 |
|
|
$ |
145,000 |
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John R. Graham |
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$ |
26,000 |
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$ |
124,000 |
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Charles E. Heath |
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$ |
28,000 |
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$ |
132,000 |
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Interested Directors |
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H. Kevin Birzer |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
0 |
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Terry C. Matlack |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
0 |
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(1) Includes TYG, TYY, TYN, TTRF, TGOC and us.
60
ADVISOR
Tortoise
Capital Advisors, a registered investment advisor, serves as our investment
advisor. Our Advisor was formed in October 2002 and has been managing investments in portfolios of
MLP securities in the energy sector since that time.
Our advisor also manages the investments of TYG, TYY, TYN, TTRF and TGOC. TYG is a
publicly-traded, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company focused
primarily on investing in MLPs in the midstream segment of the energy infrastructure
sector. TYY is a publicly-traded, non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company focused primarily on investing in MLPs in the midstream segment of the energy
infrastructure sector. TYN is a publicly-traded, non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company focused primarily on investing in publicly traded
upstream Canadian royalty trusts and midstream and downstream income trusts, and
publicly traded U.S. MLPs. TTRF is a privately held, closed-end management
investment company owned primarily by institutions and focused primarily on
investing in MLPs in the midstream segment of the energy infrastructure sector.
TGOC is a privately held, closed-end management investment company focused primarily
on investing in companies in the upstream and midstream gas and oil segments of the
energy sector. As of January 31, 2008, our Advisor
had client assets under management of approximately $2.9 billion.
FCM and KCEP control our Advisor through their equity ownership and management
rights in our Advisor. FCM has no operations and serves as a holding company.
FCMs ownership interest was held by Fountain Capital. Fountain Capitals
ownership in our Advisor was transferred to FCM, a recently formed entity with the same principals as Fountain Capital, effective as of August 2, 2007.
The transfer did not result in a change in control of our Advisor.
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KCEP was formed in 1993 and until recently, managed KCEP Ventures II, L.P. (KCEP II), a
private equity fund with committed capital of $55 million invested in a variety of companies
in diverse industries, including a private financing for a propane retail and wholesale
company, Inergy, L.P. KCEP II wound up its operations in late 2006, has no remaining
portfolio investments and has distributed proceeds to its partners. KCEP I, L.P. (KCEP I),
a start-up and early-stage venture capital fund launched in 1994 and previously managed by
KCEP, also recently completed the process of winding down. As a part of that process, KCEP I
entered into a consensual order of receivership, which was necessary to allow KCEP I to
distribute its remaining $1.3 million of assets to creditors and the SBA. The consensual
order acknowledged a capital impairment condition and the resulting nonperformance by KCEP I
of its agreement with the SBA, both of which were violations of the provisions requiring
repayment of capital under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 and the regulations
thereunder. |
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Fountain Capital was formed in 1990 and focuses primarily on providing investment
advisory services to institutional investors with respect to below investment grade debt. |
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Our Advisor was formed by KCEP and Fountain Capital to provide portfolio management
services exclusively with respect to energy infrastructure investments. |
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Our Advisor currently has seven investment professionals who are responsible for the
origination, structuring and managing of our investments. Our Advisors seven investment professionals have over 130 years
of combined experience in energy, leveraged finance, investment banking and private equity investing. Their
biographical information is set forth below.
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Jeffrey Fulmer From 2002 to 2007, Mr. Fulmer was
with the U.S. Department of Defense,
where he headed a group of oil, gas, electric power, communications,
transportation, chemical, and water
infrastructure analysts engaged globally in critical infrastructure analysis, assessment, and protection.
From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Fulmer served as President of Redland Energy, a natural gas property acquisition
and exploitation company. From 1989 to 2000, Mr. Fulmer served as Senior Vice-President and in other management capacities for
Statoil Energy and its predecessor, responsible for exploration,development and land acquisition. Prior to joining Statoil Energy, Mr. Fulmer served six years in
engineering and geological positions for ARCO Oil and Gas and Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production, working
oil and gas field evaluation and exploitation projects.
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David Henriksen From 2001 to 2007, Mr. Henriksen held various positions with Great Plains Energy,
an energy holding company, where he most recently served as Vice President, Strategy and Investor Relations.
His prior experience includes merger and acquisition advisory services, as well as corporate finance and
corporate development positions with Koch Industries, a holder of a diverse group of companies engaged in
trading, operations and investment worldwide, and CGF Industries, a multi-industry leveraged buyout and
operating holding company. |
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Lisa Marquard
Prior to joining our Adviser in June 2007, Ms. Marquard was with Stifel,
Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (Stifel Nicolaus) since 2002, where she worked in the
Financial
Institution Investment Banking Group. Her prior experience includes
executing public and private capital offerings, merger and acquisition advisory services, as well as
general advisory services including valuations, strategic alternatives and shareholder reduction transactions.
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Terry Matlack Mr. Matlack has been a Managing Director of our Advisor since 2002 and
serves as Chief Financial Officer, Director and Assistant Treasurer of
TYG, TYY, TYN, TTRF and TGOC. From 2001 to 2002, Mr.
Matlack was a full-time General Partner at KCEP. Prior to joining KCEP, Mr. Matlack was
President of GreenStreet Capital and its affiliates, which invested primarily in the
telecommunications service industry. Prior to 1995, he was Executive Vice President and a
member of the board of directors of W. K. Communications, Inc., a cable television
acquisition company, and Chief Operating Officer of W. K. Cellular, a rural cellular service
area operator. Mr. Matlack also serves on the board of directors of Kansas Venture Capital,
an SBIC. |
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Abel Mojica III Prior to joining our Advisor in 2005 and since 1999, Mr. Mojica was a
Principal of KCEP. While at KCEP, Mr. Mojica, together with Mr. Schulte, led KCEPs
investment in the private company predecessor to Inergy, L.P., from an early |
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stage of development through its initial public offering and was also involved in the
structuring of an investment in MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. Mr. Mojica has been in the
private equity and finance industry since 1996. Mr. Mojica represented the interests of KCEP by
serving on the boards of directors of three portfolio companies. Prior to joining KCEP in 1999,
Mr. Mojica worked in investment banking at First Chicago Capital Markets (now J.P. Morgan Chase)
and in commercial banking at Citicorp (now Citigroup). |
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Edward Russell Prior to joining our Advisor in March 2006, Mr. Russell was at Stifel,
Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (Stifel Nicolaus) beginning in 1999, where he headed the
Energy and Power Group as a Managing Director from 2003 to March 2006, and served as Vice
President-Investment Banking before that. While a Managing Director at Stifel Nicolaus, Mr.
Russell was responsible for all of the energy and power transactions, including all of the
debt and equity transactions for the three closed-end public funds then managed by our
Advisor, starting with the first public equity offering in February 2004. Prior to joining
Stifel Nicolaus, Mr. Russell worked for more than 15 years as an investment banker at Pauli
& Company, Inc. and Arch Capital LLC and as a commercial banker with Magna Group and South
Side National Bank. |
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David J. Schulte Mr. Schulte has been a Managing Director of our Advisor since 2002 and
serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of TYG, TYY, TYN,
TTRF and TGO. From 1993 to 2003, Mr.
Schulte was a full-time General Partner at KCEP. While a partner at KCEP, Mr. Schulte led
private financings for two growth MLPs in the energy infrastructure sector, Inergy, L.P.,
where he served as a director, and MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P., where he was a board
observer. Prior to joining KCEP, Mr. Schulte had over five years of experience completing
acquisition and public equity financings as an investment banker at the predecessor of
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Mr. Schulte also serves on the investment committee of Diamond State
Ventures, an SBIC. Mr. Schulte is a past President of the Midwest Region of SBICs and a
former director of the National Association of SBICs. |
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Our Advisor has 29 full time employees.
Each of our Advisors investment decisions will be reviewed and approved for us by its
investment committee, which also acts as the investment committee for
TYG, TYY, TYN and TGOC. Our
Advisors investment committee is comprised of its five Managing Directors: H. Kevin Birzer,
Zachary A. Hamel, Kenneth P. Malvey, Terry C. Matlack and David J. Schulte.
All members of our Advisors investment committee are full-time
employees of our Advisor. The members of our Advisors investment
committee have an average of over 20 years of financial investment experience.
Conflicts of Interests
Our Advisors investment professionals have a conflict of interest in allocating potentially more
favorable investment opportunities to us and other funds and clients that pay our Advisor an
incentive or performance fee. Performance and incentive fees also create the incentive to allocate
potentially riskier, but potentially better performing, investments to us in an effort to increase
the incentive fee. Our Advisor may also have an incentive to make investments by one fund, having
the effect of increasing the value of a security in the same issuer held by another fund, which in
turn may result in an incentive fee being paid to our Advisor by that other fund. Our Advisor may
also have an incentive to allocate potentially more favorable investments to us because pursuant to
the Administration Agreement between us and our Advisor, we pay our Advisor a fee based on our
average daily Managed Assets. However, senior professionals of our Advisor manage potential
conflicts of interest by allocating investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner
consistent with our investment objectives and strategies, and in accordance with written allocation
policies and procedures of our Advisor so that we will not be disadvantaged in relation to any
other client.
62
Investment Advisory Agreement
Management Services
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, our Advisor will be subject to the overall
supervision and review of our board of directors, provide us with investment research, advice and
supervision and will furnish us continuously with an investment program, consistent with our
investment objective and policies. Our Advisor also will determine from time to time what
securities we shall purchase, and what securities shall be held or sold, what portions of our
assets shall be held uninvested as cash, short duration high yield securities or in other liquid
assets, will maintain books and records with respect to all of our transactions, and will report to
our board of directors on our investments and performance.
Our Advisors services to us under the investment advisory agreement will not be exclusive,
and our Advisor is free to furnish the same or similar services to other entities, including
businesses which may directly or indirectly compete with us, so long as our Advisors services to
us are not impaired by the provision of such services to others. Under the investment advisory
agreement and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, our Advisor will also provide on our behalf
significant managerial assistance to portfolio companies to which we are required to provide such
assistance under the 1940 Act and who require such assistance from us.
Administration Services
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, our Advisor also furnishes us with office
facilities and clerical and administrative services necessary for our operation (other than
services provided by our custodian, accounting agent, administrator, dividend and interest paying
agent and other service providers). Our Advisor is authorized to cause us to enter into agreements
with third parties to provide such services. To the extent we request, our Advisor will (i) oversee
the performance and payment of the fees of our service providers and make such reports and
recommendations to the board of directors concerning such matters as the parties deem desirable,
(ii) respond to inquiries and otherwise assist such service providers in the preparation and filing
of regulatory reports, proxy statements, and stockholder communications, and the preparation of
materials and reports for the board of directors; (iii) establish and oversee the implementation of
borrowing facilities or other forms of leverage authorized by the board of directors and (iv)
supervise any other aspect of our administration as may be agreed upon by us and our Advisor. We
have agreed, pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, to reimburse our Advisor or its
affiliate for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing the foregoing services.
Management Fee
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, we will pay our Advisor a fee consisting of two
components a base management fee and an incentive fee in return for the management and
administration services described above. For a discussion regarding the basis for our board of
directors approval of the investment advisory agreement, see Board Approval of the Investment
Advisory Agreement below. This discussion will also be available in our annual report to
stockholders.
The base management fee is 0.375% (1.5% annualized) of our average monthly Managed Assets,
calculated and paid quarterly in arrears within 30 days of the end of each fiscal quarter. The term
Managed Assets as used in the calculation of the management fee means our total assets (including
any assets purchased with or attributable to borrowed funds) minus accrued liabilities other than
(1) deferred taxes and (2) debt entered into for the purpose of leverage. The base management fee
for any partial quarter will be appropriately prorated.
The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part, the investment income fee, is
calculated and payable quarterly in arrears and will equal 15% of the excess, if any, of our Net
Investment Income for the quarter over a quarterly hurdle rate equal to 2% (8% annualized) of our
average monthly Net Assets for the quarter (defined as Managed Assets minus deferred taxes, debt
entered into for the purposes of leverage and the aggregate liquidation preference of outstanding
preferred shares). For purposes of calculating the investment income
fee, Net Investment Income means interest income (including accrued interest that we have not yet received in cash),
dividend and distribution income from equity investments (but excluding that portion of cash
distributions that are treated as return of capital), and any other income (including any fees such
as commitment, origination, syndication, structuring, diligence, monitoring, and consulting fees or
other fees that we are entitled to receive from portfolio companies) accrued during the fiscal
quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses
payable by us, any interest expense, any accrued income taxes related to Net Investment Income and
dividends paid on issued and outstanding preferred stock, if any, but excluding the incentive fees
payable to our Advisor). Accordingly, we may pay an incentive fee based partly on accrued interest,
the collection of which is uncertain or deferred. Net Investment Income also includes, in the case
of investments with a deferred interest or income feature (such as original issue discount, debt or
equity instruments with a payment-in-kind feature, and
63
zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Net Investment
Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses, or unrealized capital
appreciation or depreciation. The investment income fee is payable within thirty days of the end of
each fiscal quarter but no investment income fee has been paid or earned as of ____, 2007. The
investment income fee for any partial quarter will be appropriately prorated.
The second part of the incentive fee payable to our Advisor, the capital gains fee, is
calculated and payable in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year (or upon termination of the
investment advisory agreement, as of the termination date), and equals: (i) 15% of (a) our net
realized capital gains, excluding the impact of current and deferred income taxes (realized capital
gains less realized capital losses), on a cumulative basis from the commencement of our operations
on December 8, 2005 to the end of each fiscal year, less (b) any unrealized capital depreciation,
excluding the impact of deferred income taxes, at the end of such fiscal year, less (ii) the
aggregate amount of all capital gains fees paid to our Advisor in prior fiscal years. The
calculation of the capital gains fee will include any capital gains that result from the cash
distributions that are treated as a return of capital. In that regard, any such return of capital
will be treated as a decrease in our cost basis of an investment for purposes of calculating the
capital gains fee. Realized capital gains on a security will be calculated as the excess of the net
amount realized from the sale or other disposition of such security over the adjusted cost basis
for that security. Realized capital losses on a security will be calculated as the amount by which
the net amount realized from the sale or other disposition of such security is less than the
adjusted cost basis of such security. Unrealized capital depreciation on a security will be
calculated as the amount by which our adjusted cost basis of such security exceeds the fair value
of such security at the end of a fiscal year. We will determine
all fiscal year-end valuations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the
1940 Act, and our policies and procedures to the extent consistent therewith. In the event the
investment advisory agreement is terminated, the capital gains fee calculation will be undertaken
as of, and any resulting capital gains fee will be paid within fifteen days of, the date of
termination.
The payment of the investment income fee portion of the incentive compensation on a quarterly
basis may lead our Advisor to accelerate or defer interest payable by our portfolio companies in a
manner that could result in fluctuations in the timing and amount of distributions.
In
November 2007, our Advisor agreed to reimburse us an amount equal to 0.25% of our
average monthly Managed Assets on a quarterly basis beginning September 1, 2007
and ending December 31, 2008. The Advisor also agreed to terminate its right to receive the capital gains incentive fee described above, to
the extent such fee would be due as to that portion of any scheduled periodic
distributions made possible by the normally recurring cash flow from the
operations of our portfolio companies (Expected Distributions) that is
characterized by us as a return of capital for book purposes. This
does not apply to any portion of any distribution from a portfolio company
that is not an Expected Distribution.
The following examples are intended to assist in an understanding of the two components of the
incentive fee. These examples do not reflect the reimbursement or
termination discussed in the prior paragraph and are not intended as an indication of our expected performance.
Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation
Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee(1):
Assumptions
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The following calculations only apply from December 8, 2006, as our Advisor is not
entitled to any income-related portion of the incentive fee in any earlier period |
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Hurdle rate(2) = 2.00% |
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Management fee(3) = 0.375% |
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Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(4) = 0.20% |
Alternative 1
Additional Assumptions
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Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25% |
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Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income (management fee + other expenses)) = 0.675% |
Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no
incentive fee.
64
Alternative 2
Additional Assumptions
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Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.50% |
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Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income (management fee + other expenses)) = 2.925% |
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The hypothetical amount of pre-incentive fee net investment income shown is based on a percentage of our net assets. |
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Represents 8.0% annualized hurdle rate. |
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Represents 1.5% annualized management fee. For the purposes of this example, we have assumed that we have not
incurred any indebtedness and that we maintain no cash or cash equivalents. |
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Excludes organizational, offering expenses and income tax. |
Pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds hurdle rate, therefore there is an incentive
fee.
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Incentive Fee
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= 15% x (pre-incentive fee net investment income 2.00%) |
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= 15% x (2.925% 2.00%) |
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= 15% x 0.925% |
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= 0.13875% |
Example 2: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee:
Alternative 1
Assumptions
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Year 1: $20 million investment made and November 30 fair market value (FMV) of
investment determined to be $20 million |
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Year 2: November 30 FMV of investment determined to be $22 million |
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Year 3: November 30 FMV of investment determined to be $17 million |
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Year 4: Investment sold for $21 million |
The impact, if any, on the capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:
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Year 1: No impact |
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Year 2: No impact |
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Year 3: Reduce base amount on which the capital gains portion of the incentive fee is calculated by $3 million |
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Year 4: Increase base amount on which the capital gains portion of the incentive fee is
calculated by $4 million (less the amount, if any, of the unrealized capital depreciation
from Year 3 that did not actually reduce the capital gains portion of the incentive fee that
would otherwise have been payable to our Advisor in Year 3) |
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Alternative 2
Assumptions
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Year 1: $20 million investment made and November 30 FMV of investment determined to be $20 million |
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Year 2: November 30 FMV of investment determined to be $17 million |
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Year 3: November 30 FMV of investment determined to be $17 million |
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Year 4: November 30 FMV of investment determined to be $21 million |
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Year 5: November 30 FMV of investment determined to be $18 million |
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Year 6: Investment sold for $15 million |
The impact, if any, on the capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:
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Year 1: No impact |
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Year 2: Reduce base amount on which the second part of the incentive fee is calculated by $3 million |
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Year 3: No impact |
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Year 4: No impact |
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Year 5: No impact |
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Year 6: Reduce base amount on which the second part of the incentive fee is calculated by
$2 million (plus the amount, if any, of the unrealized capital depreciation from Year 2 that
did not actually reduce the second part of the incentive fee that would otherwise have been
payable to our Advisor in prior years) |
Alternative 3
Assumptions
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Year 1: $20 million investment made in company A (Investment A), and $20 million
investment made in company B (Investment B) and November 30 FMV of each investment
determined to be $20 million |
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Year 2: November 30 FMV of Investment A is determined to be $21 million, and Investment B is sold for $18 million |
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Year 3: Investment A is sold for $23 million |
The impact, if any, on the capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:
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Year 1: No impact |
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Year 2: Reduce base amount on which the capital gains portion of the incentive fee is
calculated by $2 million (realized capital loss on Investment B) |
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Year 3: Increase base amount on which the capital gains portion of the incentive fee is
calculated by $3 million (realized capital gain on Investment A) |
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Alternative 4
Assumptions
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Year 1: $20 million investment made in company A (Investment A), and $20 million
investment made in company B (Investment B) and November 30 FMV of each investment
determined to be $20 million |
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Year 2: November 30 FMV of Investment A is determined to be $21 million and FMV of
Investment B is determined to be $17 million |
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Year 3: November 30 FMV of Investment A is determined to be $18 million and FMV of
Investment B is determined to be $18 million |
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Year 4: November 30 FMV of Investment A is determined to be $19 million and FMV of
Investment B is determined to be $21 million |
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Year 5: Investment A is sold for $17 million and Investment B is sold for $23 million |
The impact, if any, on the capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:
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Year 1: No impact |
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Year 2: Reduce base amount on which the capital gains portion of the incentive fee is
calculated by $3 million (unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B) |
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Year 3: Reduce base amount on which the capital gains portion of the incentive fee is
calculated by $2 million (unrealized capital depreciation on Investment A) |
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Year 4: No impact |
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Year 5: Increase base amount on which the second part of the incentive fee is calculated
by $5 million ($6 million of realized capital gain on Investment B partially offset by $1
million of realized capital loss on Investment A) (less the amount, if any, of the
unrealized capital depreciation on Investment A from Year 3 and the unrealized capital
depreciation on Investment B from Year 2 that did not actually reduce the capital gains
portion of incentive fees that would otherwise have been payable to our Advisor in prior
years) |
Payment of Our Expenses
We will bear all expenses not specifically assumed by our Advisor and incurred in our
operations, we have borne the expenses related to the private placement of our common shares,
preferred shares and warrants and our initial public offering and we will bear the expenses related
to this offering. The compensation and allocable routine overhead expenses of all investment
professionals of our Advisor and its staff, when and to the extent engaged in providing us
investment advisory services, is provided and paid for by our Advisor and not us. The compensation
and expenses borne by us include, but are not limited to, the following:
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other than as provided in the paragraph above, expenses of maintaining and continuing our
existence and related overhead, including, to the extent such services are provided by
personnel of our Advisor or its affiliates, office space and facilities and personnel
compensation, training and benefits, |
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commissions, spreads, fees and other expenses connected with the acquisition, holding and
disposition of securities and other investments including placement and similar fees in
connection with direct placements entered into on our behalf, |
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auditing, accounting and legal expenses (including costs associated with the
implementation of our Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls and procedures over financial
reporting), |
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taxes and interest, |
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governmental fees, |
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expenses of listing our shares with a stock exchange, and expenses of issue, sale,
repurchase and redemption (if any) of our interests, including expenses of conducting tender
offers for the purpose of repurchasing our securities, |
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expenses of registering and qualifying us and our securities under federal and state
securities laws and of preparing and filing registration statements and amendments for such
purposes, |
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expenses of communicating with stockholders, including website expenses and the expenses
of preparing, printing and mailing press releases, reports and other notices to stockholders
and of meetings of stockholders and proxy solicitations therefor, |
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expenses of reports to governmental officers and commissions, |
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insurance expenses, |
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association membership dues, |
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fees, expenses and disbursements of custodians and subcustodians for all services to us
(including without limitation safekeeping of funds, securities and other investments,
keeping of books, accounts and records, and determination of net asset values), |
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fees, expenses and disbursements of transfer agents, dividend and interest paying agents,
stockholder servicing agents, registrars and administrator for all services to us, |
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compensation and expenses of our directors who are not members of our Advisors
organization, |
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pricing, valuation and other consulting or analytical services employed in considering
and valuing our actual or prospective investments, |
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all expenses incurred in leveraging of our assets through a line of credit or other
indebtedness or issuing and maintaining preferred shares, |
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all expenses incurred in connection with our organization and any offering by us of our
common shares, including our private placements, our initial public offering and this
offering, and |
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such non-recurring items as may arise, including expenses incurred in litigation,
proceedings and claims and our obligation to indemnify our directors, officers and
stockholders with respect thereto. |
Duration and Termination
The
investment advisory agreement was initially reviewed and approved by our board of directors
and by our stockholders. It will remain in effect from year to year if
approved annually by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of our outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, upon approval by a majority of our
directors who are not interested persons or parties to the investment
advisory agreement. The investment advisory agreement was most
recently reviewed and approved by our board of directors on November 12, 2007. The
investment advisory agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The
investment advisory agreement may be terminated by us without penalty upon not more than 60 days
written notice to our Advisor. The investment advisory agreement may also be terminated by our
Advisor without penalty upon not less than 60 days written notice to us.
Liability of Advisor
The investment advisory agreement provides that our Advisor will not be liable to us in any
way for any default, failure or defect in any of the securities comprising our portfolio if it has
satisfied the duties and the standard of care, diligence and skill set forth in the investment
advisory agreement. However, our Advisor will be liable to us for any loss, damage, claim, cost,
charge, expense or liability resulting from our Advisors willful misconduct, bad faith or gross
negligence or disregard by our Advisor of its duties or standard of care, diligence and skill set
forth in the investment advisory agreement or a material breach or default of our Advisors
obligations under that agreement.
68
Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement
Our board of directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors, most recently
reviewed and approved the investment advisory agreement on November 12, 2007.
The
Independent Directors considered and evaluated all the information provided by our Advisor.
The Independent Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or
controlling, and each Independent Director may have attributed different levels of
importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the agreement, the Independent
Directors decision was based on the following factors:
Nature,
Extent and Quality of Services Provided. The Independent Directors considered information
regarding the history, qualification and background of our Advisor and the individuals
responsible for our Advisors investment program, the adequacy of the number of Advisor
personnel and other Advisor resources and plans for growth, use of affiliates of our
Advisor, and the particular expertise with respect to energy infrastructure companies,
MLP markets and financing (including private financing). The Independent Directors
concluded that the unique nature of the fund and the specialized expertise of our
Advisor in the niche market of MLPs made it uniquely qualified to serve as the advisor.
Further, the Independent Directors recognized that our Advisors commitment to a long-term
investment horizon correlated well to our investment strategy.
Investment
Performance of the Company and the Advisor, Costs of the Services To Be Provided and Profits
To Be Realized by the Advisor and its Affiliates from the Relationship, and Fee Comparisons.
The Independent Directors reviewed and evaluated information regarding our performance
(including quarterly, last twelve months, and from inception) and the performance of the
other Advisor accounts (including other investment companies), and information regarding
the nature of the markets during the performance period, with a particular focus on the
MLP sector. The Independent Directors also considered our performance as compared to
comparable closed-end funds for the relevant periods.
Our
Advisor provided detailed information concerning its cost of providing services to us, its
profitability in managing us, its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The
Independent Directors have reviewed with our Advisor the methodology used to prepare this
financial information. This financial information regarding our Advisor is considered in
order to evaluate our Advisors financial condition, its ability to continue to provide
services under the investment advisory agreement, and the reasonableness of the current
management fee, and was, to the extent possible, evaluated in comparison to other
closed-end funds with similar investment objectives and strategies.
The
Independent Directors considered and evaluated information regarding fees charged to, and
services provided to, other investment companies advised by our Advisor (including the
impact of any fee reimbursement arrangements), fees charged to separate institutional
accounts by our Advisor, and comparisons of fees of closed-end funds with similar
investment objectives and strategies, including other MLP investment companies, to us.
The Independent Directors noted that the fee charged to us, including the base management
fee (1.5% of our Managed Assets), and the incentive fee, is below the average of the fees
charged in comparable closed-end MLP funds. The Independent Directors also considered our
Advisors contractual agreement to reimburse certain expenses incurred by us for the period
beginning September 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2008 and to waive certain capital gains
fees for so long as the investment advisory agreement remains in effect. The Independent
Directors concluded that the fees and expenses that we are paying under the investment
advisory agreement are reasonable given the quality of services provided under the
investment advisory agreement and that such fees and expenses are comparable to, and in
many cases lower than, the fees charged by advisors to comparable funds.
Economies
of Scale. The Independent Directors considered information from our Advisor concerning
whether economies of scale would be realized as we grow, and whether fee levels reflect
any economies of scale for the benefit of our stockholders. The Independent Directors
concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict overall.
Accordingly, the Independent Directors reviewed other information, such as year-over-year
profitability of our Advisor generally, the profitability of its management of us specifically,
and the fees of competitive funds not managed by our Advisor over a range of asset sizes. The
Independent Directors concluded our Advisor is appropriately sharing any economies of scale
through its competitive fee structure and through reinvestment in its business to provide
shareholders additional content and services.
Collateral
Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Independent Directors reviewed information from our
Advisor concerning collateral benefits it receives as a result of its relationship with us.
They concluded that our Advisor generally does not use our or shareholder information to
generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant
collateral benefits from them.
The
Independent Directors did not, with respect to their deliberations concerning their
approval of the continuation of the investment advisory agreement, consider the
benefits our Advisor may derive from relationships our Advisor may have with brokers
through soft dollar arrangements because our Advisor does not employ any such arrangements
in rendering its advisory services to us.
Conclusions of the Independent Directors
As
a result of this process, the Independent Directors, assisted by the advice of legal counsel
that is independent of our Advisor, taking into account all of the factors discussed above
and the information provided by our Advisor, unanimously concluded that the investment
advisory agreement between us and our Advisor is fair and reasonable in light of the
services provided and should be renewed.
Based on the information reviewed and the discussions among the members of our board of
directors, our board of directors, including all of our independent directors, approved the
investment advisory agreement and concluded that the management fee rates were reasonable in
relation to the services to be provided.
License Agreement
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, our Advisor has consented to our use on a
non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, of the name Tortoise in our name. We will have the right to
use the Tortoise name so long as our Advisor or one of its approved affiliates remains our
investment advisor. Other than with respect to this limited right, we will have no legal right to
the Tortoise name. This right will remain in effect for so long as the investment advisory
agreement with our Advisor is in effect and will automatically terminate if the investment advisory
agreement were to terminate for any reason, including upon its assignment.
69
Sub-Advisor Arrangement
The investment advisory agreement authorizes our Advisor to delegate any or all of its rights,
duties and obligations to one or more sub-advisors upon receipt of approval of such sub-advisor by
our board of directors and stockholders (unless such approval is not required by the relevant
statutes, rules, regulations, interpretations, orders, or similar relief). Our Advisor has entered
into a sub-advisory agreement with Kenmont Investments Management, L. P. (Kenmont) pursuant to which our Advisor has agreed to pay Kenmont
(i) 10% of the base management fee our Advisor receives from us once our total assets (including
any assets purchased with borrowed funds) initially exceed $75 million, and (ii) 20% of any
incentive fee our Advisor receives from us.
Kenmont is an investment advisor with experience investing in privately-held and public companies
in the U.S. energy and power sectors. Kenmont provides additional contacts and enhances the number
and range of potential investment opportunities in which we have the opportunity to invest.
Entities managed by Kenmont purchased 666,666 of our common shares and warrants to purchase 166,666
of our common shares in our private placement completed in January 2006 and purchased $8.05
million, or 536,666 shares, of our Series A redeemable preferred stock and warrants to purchase
80,500 of our common shares in our private placement completed in December 2006. One of those
entities subsequently transferred 161,500 of our common shares and warrants to purchase 40,400 of
our common shares to another Kenmont managed entity that also purchased 230,000 shares of our
Series A redeemable preferred stock and warrants to purchase 34,500 of our common shares in our
private placement in December 2006.
All of the Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock was redeemed in connection with our initial public offering.
Pursuant to the sub-advisory agreement with Kenmont, Kenmont
(i) assists in identifying potential investment opportunities, subject to the right of Kenmont to
first show investment opportunities that it identifies to other funds or accounts for which Kenmont
is the primary advisor, (ii) assists, as requested by our Advisor but subject to a limit of 20
hours per month, in the analysis of investment opportunities, and (iii) if requested by our
Advisor, will assist in hiring an additional investment professional for the Advisor who will be
located in Houston, Texas and for whom Kenmont will make office space available. Kenmont does not
make any investment decisions on our behalf, but will recommend potential investments to, and
assist in the investment analysis undertaken by, our Advisor. Our Advisor compensates Kenmont for
the services it provides to us. Our Advisor indemnifies and holds us harmless from any obligation
to pay or reimburse Kenmont for any fees or expenses incurred by Kenmont in providing such services
to us. Kenmont will be indemnified by the Advisor for certain claims related to the services it
provides and obligations assumed under the sub-advisory agreement. In addition to any termination
rights we may have under the 1940 Act, the sub-advisory agreement between the Advisor and Kenmont
may be terminated by our Advisor in limited circumstances.
Kenmont is a Texas limited partnership that serves as investment advisor to pooled investment
vehicles and managed accounts. The principals of Kenmont have collectively created and managed
private equity portfolios in excess of $1.5 billion and have over 50 years of experience working
for investment banks, commercial banks, accounting firms, operating companies and money management
firms.
The
sub-advisory agreement was initially reviewed and approved by our board of directors,
including a majority of the Independent Directors, and our
stockholders. The sub-advisory agreement was most recently reviewed
and approved by our board of directors on November 12, 2007. In considering the
approval of the sub-advisory agreement, our board of directors evaluated information provided by
our Advisor and their legal counsel and considered various factors, including the following:
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Services. Our board of directors reviewed the nature, extent and quality of the
investment advisory services proposed to be provided to our Advisor by Kenmont and found
them to be consistent with the services provided to us by our Advisor. |
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Experience of Management Team and Personnel. Our board of directors considered the
extensive experience of Kenmont with respect to the specific types of investments we propose
to make and concluded that Kenmont would provide valuable assistance to our Advisor in
providing potential investment opportunities to us. |
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Provisions of Sub-Advisory Agreement. Our board of directors considered the extent to
which the provisions of the sub-advisory agreement could potentially expose us to liability
and concluded that its terms adequately protected us from such risk. |
70
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
We have entered into the investment advisory agreement with our Advisor, an entity in which
certain of our officers and directors have ownership and financial interests. Our Advisors
services under the investment advisory agreement will not be exclusive, and it is free to furnish
the same or similar services to other entities, including businesses that may directly or
indirectly compete with us so long as its services to us are not impaired by the provision of such
services to others. In addition, the publicly traded funds and private accounts managed by our
Advisor may make investments similar to investments that we may pursue. We currently are not
generally targeting similar investment opportunities as other entities advised by our Advisor,
which, other than TGOC, generally target investments in publicly traded companies with market capitalizations in
excess of $250 million, because we generally target investments in companies that are
privately-held, have market capitalizations of less than $250 million and are earlier in their
stage of development. This may change in the future, however. It is thus possible that our Advisor
might allocate investment opportunities to other entities, and thus might divert attractive
investment opportunities away from us. However, our Advisor intends to allocate investment
opportunities in a fair and equitable manner consistent with our investment objectives and
strategies, so that we will not be disadvantaged in relation to any other client. We have also
entered into an Administration Agreement with our Advisor pursuant to which our Advisor will act as
our administrator and perform (or oversee or arrange for the performance of) the administrative
services necessary for our operation, including without limitation providing us with equipment,
clerical, book keeping and record keeping services. For these services we pay our Advisor a fee
equal to equal to 0.07% of our aggregate average daily Managed Assets up to and including $150
million, 0.06% of our aggregate average daily Managed Assets on the next $100 million, 0.05% of our
aggregate average daily Managed Assets on the next $250 million and 0.02% on the balance of our
aggregate average daily Managed Assets. The administration agreement most recently reviewed and the continuation approved by
our board of directors, including our Independent Directors, on November 12, 2007.
We have written policies and
procedures in place for the review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving us and certain persons related to us.
We have retained Duff & Phelps, LLC, an independent valuation firm, to provide third party valuation consulting services which
consist of certain limited procedures that the board has identified and requested they perform.
The board of directors is ultimately and solely responsible for determing the fair value of the investments
in good faith. At the
time of their retention, our board of directors was aware that both Duff & Phelps, LLC and Atlantic
Asset Management LLC (Atlantic) were minority investments of Lovell Minnick Partners LLC.
Atlantic is a minority owner of Fountain Capital and holds a non-voting Class B economic interest
in our Advisor.
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, our Advisor has consented to our use on a
non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, of the name Tortoise in our name. We will have the right to
use the Tortoise name so long as our Advisor or one of its approved affiliates remains our
investment advisor. Other than with respect to this limited right, we will have no legal right to
the Tortoise name. This right will remain in effect for so long as the investment advisory
agreement with our Advisor is in effect and will automatically terminate if the investment advisory
agreement were to terminate for any reason, including upon its assignment.
Our Advisor has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Kenmont. Kenmont is a registered
investment advisor with experience investing in privately-held and public companies in the U.S.
energy and power sectors. Kenmont provides additional contacts and enhances the number and range of
potential investment opportunities in which we have the opportunity to invest. Our Advisor
compensates Kenmont for the services it provides to us. Our Advisor also indemnifies and holds us
harmless from any obligation to pay or reimburse Kenmont for any fees or expenses incurred by
Kenmont in providing such services to us. Kenmont will be indemnified by the Advisor for certain
claims related to the services it provides and obligations assumed under the sub-advisory
agreement. Entities managed by Kenmont own approximately 7.5% of our outstanding common shares and
warrants to purchase an additional 281,666 of our common shares.
71
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain beneficial ownership information with respect to our
common shares as of January 31, 2008, for those persons who directly or indirectly own, control or
hold with the power to vote, 5% or more of our common shares prior to this offering and all our
executive officers and directors and the managing directors of our Advisor, as a group. One of the
beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common shares is Kenmont Special Opportunities Master Fund
LP, an affiliate of our sub-advisor Kenmont. Except as otherwise noted, the address for all
stockholders in the table below is c/o Tortoise Capital Advisors, 10801 Mastin Boulevard, Suite
222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210.
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Percentage of
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Percentage of
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Common Shares
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Common Shares
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Common Shares
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Warrants
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Outstanding Before
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Outstanding After
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Name
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Owned(1)
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Owned
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Offering(1)
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Offering(1)
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Beneficial Owners of more than 5%
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Kensington Investment Group, Inc.(2)
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852,500
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0
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9.6
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%
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%
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Kenmont Investments Management, L.P.(3)
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948,332
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281,666
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10.4
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%
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%
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Directors and Executive Officers:
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Interested Directors
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H. Kevin Birzer(4)
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25,973
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.83
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1,325
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*
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*
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Terry Matlack(5)
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9,366
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.07
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616
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*
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*
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Independent Directors
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Conrad S. Ciccotello(6)
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2,870
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.00
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250
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*
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*
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John R. Graham(7)
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5,165
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.369
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1,000
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*
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*
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Charles E. Heath(8)
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3,874
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.03
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750
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*
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*
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Executive Officers
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David J. Schulte(9)
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13,121
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.87
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1,128
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*
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*
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Zachary A. Hamel
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5,624
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.34
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416
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*
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*
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Kenneth P. Malvey(10)
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8,200
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.89
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347
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*
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*
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Edward Russell
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5,431
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.87
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0
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*
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*
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Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
(9 persons)
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79,628
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.28
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5,832
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*
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*
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* |
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Indicates less than 1%. |
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(1) |
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Based on 8,858,168 common shares outstanding. Each persons
number of common shares owned and percentage includes all common
shares underlying warrants owned by such person. |
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(2) |
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Information with respect to Kensington Investment Group, Inc.
and its beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G
filed on January 14, 2008. Shares are owned indirectly by
Kensington Investment Group, Inc. in their capacity as general
partner and investment advisor to private investment
partnerships and as the investment advisor to The Kensington
Funds, a Registered Investment Company. The address of
Kensington Investment Group, Inc. is 4 Orinda Way,
Suite 200C, Orinda, CA 94563. |
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(3) |
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Information with respect to Kenmont entities is based on a
Schedule 13G filed on May 11, 2007 (the
Schedule 13G). Kenmont serves as investment
manager to several entities that beneficially own our
securities, each of which is more fully described in the
Schedule 13G. The address of Kenmont is 711 Louisiana
Street, Suite 1750, Houston, Texas 77022. |
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(4) |
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Of the total number of shares and warrants shown,
Mr. Birzer holds 24,773.83 shares and all warrants
jointly with his wife, Michele Birzer, and 1,200 shares are
held by Mr. Birzers children in accounts for which
his wife is the custodian. |
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(5) |
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These shares and warrants are held of record by the Matlack
Living Trust dtd 12/30/2004, for which Mr. Matlack and his wife are co-trustees. |
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(6) |
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Mr. Ciccotello holds these shares and warrants jointly with
his wife, Elizabeth Ciccotello. |
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(7) |
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These shares and warrants are held of record by the John R.
Graham Trust U/A dtd 1/3/92, John R. Graham,
Trustee. |
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(8) |
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These shares are held of record by the Charles E. Heath
Trust No. 1 dtd U/A 2/1/92, Charles E. Heath and
Kathleen M. Heath, Trustees. |
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(9) |
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Includes 12,083 shares and 966 warrants held jointly with his wife;
Includes 200 shares held in account for spouses
children for which she is the custodian and of which Mr. Schulte
disclaims beneficial ownership . |
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(10) |
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Includes 1,500 shares held by his wife, 166
warrants held jointly with his wife, and 100 shares held by his
child in an account for which he is the custodian.
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72
The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by
each of our directors as of January 31, 2008.
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Aggregate Dollar Range of |
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Equity Securities in All |
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Aggregate Dollar Range of |
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Registered Investment Companies |
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Company Securities Beneficially |
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Overseen by Director in Family of |
Name of Director |
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Owned by Director(1) |
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Investment Companies(2) |
Independent Directors |
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Conrad S. Ciccotello |
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$ 10,001 - $ 50,000 |
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Over $100,000 |
John R. Graham |
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$ 50,001 - $ 100,000 |
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Over $100,000 |
Charles E. Heath |
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$ 10,001 - $ 50,000 |
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Over $100,000 |
Interested Directors |
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H. Kevin Birzer |
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Over $100,000 |
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Over $100,000 |
Terry C. Matlack |
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Over $100,000 |
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Over $100,000 |
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(1) |
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The value of the securities is based on the closing price of our
common shares on the NYSE on January 31, 2008 ($12.42), and includes the
all common shares issuable upon the exercise of all warrants held by
each director. |
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(2) |
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Includes TYG, TYY, TYN, TTRF, TGOC and us. Amounts based on the
closing price of the common shares of TYG, TYY, TYN and us on the
NYSE on January 31, 2008 and the most recent private placement sale price of
the common shares of
TTRF and TGOC. Includes all of our common shares issuable upon the
exercise of all warrants held by each director. |
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The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities of the Company
beneficially owned by each member of our Advisors investment
committee as of January 31, 2008. The
value of the securities is based on the closing price of our common
shares or the NYSE on January 31,
2008, and includes all common shares issuable upon the exercise of all warrants held by each member
of our Advisors investment committee.
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Aggregate Dollar Range |
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of Company Securities |
Name |
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Beneficially Owned by Manager |
H. Kevin Birzer |
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$ 100,001 - $ 500,000 |
Zachary A. Hamel |
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$ 50,001 - $ 100,000 |
Kenneth P. Malvey |
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$ 100,001 - $ 500,000 |
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Terry C. Matlack |
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$ 100,001 - $ 500,000 |
David J. Schulte |
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$ 100,001 - $ 500,000 |
73
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
If a stockholders
common shares are registered directly with us or with a brokerage firm that
participates in our Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Plan) through the facilities of DTC and
such stockholders account is coded dividend reinvestment by such brokerage firm, all distributions
are automatically reinvested for stockholders by the Plan Agent, Computershare Trust Company, Inc.,
in additional common shares (unless a stockholder is ineligible or elects otherwise). If a
stockholders common shares are registered with a brokerage firm that participates in the Plan
through the facilities of DTC, but such stockholders account is not coded dividend reinvestment by
such brokerage firm or if a stockholders shares are registered with a brokerage firm that does not
participate in the Plan through the facilities of DTC, a stockholder will need to ask their
investment executive to determine what arrangements can be made to set up their account to
participate in the Plan. In either case, until such arrangements are made, a stockholder will
receive distributions in cash.
Stockholders
who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all distributions payable
in cash paid by check mailed directly to the stockholder of record (or, if the shares are held in
street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by Computershare Trust Company, Inc., as
dividend paying agent. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or
resumed at any time without penalty by giving notice in writing to, or by calling, the Plan Agent;
such termination will be effective with respect to a particular distribution if notice is received
prior to the record date for the next dividend.
Whenever
we declare a distribution payable either in common shares or in cash,
non-participants in the Plan will receive cash, and participants in the Plan will receive the
equivalent in common shares.
We will use
primarily newly-issued common shares to implement the Plan, whether our shares are
trading at a premium or at a discount to net asset value. However, we reserve the right to instruct
the Plan Agent to purchase shares in the open-market in connection with its obligations under the
Plan. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder shall be determined by dividing the total
dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by the market price per share of our
common stock at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on the
distribution payment date. Market price per share on that date shall be the closing price for such
shares on the NYSE or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their reported bid
and asked prices. If distributions are reinvested in shares purchased on the open market, then the
number of shares received by a stockholder shall be determined by dividing the total dollar amount
of the distribution payable to such stockholder by the weighted average price per share (including
brokerage commissions and other related costs) for all shares purchased by the Plan Agent on the
open-market in connection with such distribution.
The Plan Agent
maintains all stockholders accounts in the Plan and furnishes written
confirmation of each acquisition made for the participants account as soon as practicable, but in
no event later than 60 days after the date thereof. Shares in the account of each Plan participant
will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form in the Plan Agents name or that of its
nominee, and each stockholders proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to
the Plan. The Plan Agent will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote
proxies for shares held pursuant to the Plan first in accordance with the instructions of the
participants then with respect to any proxies not returned by such participant, in the same
proportion as the Plan Agent votes the proxies returned by the participants.
There will
be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by us as a result of
distributions payable either in shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata
share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agents open-market purchases in
connection with the reinvestment of distributions. If a participant elects to have the Plan Agent
sell part or all of his or her common shares and remit the proceeds, such participant will be
charged his or her pro rata share of brokerage commissions on the shares sold plus a $15.00
transaction fee. The automatic reinvestment of distributions will not relieve participants of any
federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such
distributions. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
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Experience
under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, we reserve the
right to amend or terminate the Plan if in the judgment of the Board of Directors such a change is
warranted. The Plan may be terminated by the Plan Agent or us upon notice in writing mailed to each
participant at least 60 days prior to the effective date of the termination. Upon any termination,
the Plan Agent will cause a certificate or certificates to be issued for the full shares held by
each participant under the Plan and cash adjustment for any fraction of a common share at the then
current market value of the common shares to be delivered to him or her. If preferred, a
participant may request the sale of all of the common shares held by the Plan Agent in his or her
Plan account in order to terminate participation in the Plan. If such participant elects in advance
of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of his or her shares, the Plan Agent is
authorized to deduct from the proceeds a $15.00 fee plus the brokerage commissions incurred for the
transaction. If a participant has terminated his or her participation in the Plan but continues to
have common shares registered in his or her name, he or she may re-enroll in the Plan at any time
by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at the address below. The terms and conditions of the Plan
may be amended by the Plan Agent or us at any time, except when necessary or appropriate to comply
with applicable law or the rules or policies of the SEC or any other regulatory authority, only by
mailing to each participant appropriate written notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date
thereof. The amendment shall be deemed to be accepted by each participant unless, prior to the
effective date thereof, the Plan Agent receives notice of the termination of the participants
account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an appointment by the Plan Agent of a
successor Plan Agent, subject to the prior written approval of the successor Plan Agent by us.
All
correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to Computershare Trust Company, Inc.
at 250 Royal Street, MS 3B, Canton, Massachusetts 02021 or 1-312-588-4990.
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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
We determine our net asset value per common share on a quarterly basis. For purposes of
determining the net asset value of our common shares, we calculate the net asset value, which
equals the value of our total assets (the value of the securities we hold plus cash or other
assets, including interest accrued but not yet received) less all of our liabilities, including but
not limited to (i) accrued and unpaid interest on any outstanding indebtedness, (ii) the aggregate
principal amount of any outstanding indebtedness, (iii) any distributions payable on our common
shares, and (iv) current and deferred taxes. Our net asset value per common share equals our net
asset value divided by the number of outstanding common shares.
We use the 1940 Acts definition of value in calculating the value of our total assets. The
1940 Act defines value as (i) the market price for those securities for which a market quotation is
readily available and (ii) for all other securities and assets, fair value as determined in good
faith by our board of directors.
Valuation
Methodology Public Companies
Our process for determining the market price of an investment will be as follows. For equity
securities, we will first use readily available market quotations and will obtain direct written
broker-dealer quotations if a security is not traded on an exchange or quotations are not available
from an approved pricing service. For fixed income securities, we will use readily available market
quotations based upon the last updated sale price or market value from a pricing service or by
obtaining a direct written broker-dealer quotation from a dealer who has made a market in the
security. If no sales are reported on any exchange or OTC market, we will use the calculated mean
based on bid and asked prices obtained from the primary exchange or OTC market. Other assets will
be valued at market value pursuant to written valuation procedures. If a market value
cannot be obtained or if our Advisor determines that the market value does not represent
fair value, the investment will be fair valued pursuant to valuation procedures approved
by our board of directors.
Valuation
Methodology Private Companies
Because we expect to invest principally in private companies, there generally will not be a
readily available market price for these investments. Therefore, we will value substantially all of
our investments at fair value in good faith. There is no single standard for determining fair value
in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the
specific facts and circumstances of each investment while employing a consistently applied
valuation process for the types of investments we make. Unlike banks, we are not permitted to
provide a general reserve for anticipated loan losses. Instead, we will specifically value each
individual investment on a quarterly basis. We will record unrealized depreciation on investments
when we believe that an investment has become impaired, including where collection of a loan or
realization of an equity security is doubtful, or when our estimate of the enterprise value of an
investment does not currently support the cost of our debt or equity investment. We will record
unrealized appreciation if we believe that the underlying company has appreciated in value and,
therefore, our equity security also has appreciated in value. Changes in fair value are recorded in
our statement of operations as net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.
We expect our investments to include many terms governing interest rate, repayment terms,
prepayment penalties, financial covenants, operating covenants, ownership parameters, dilution
parameters, liquidation preferences, voting rights, and put or call rights. Our investments are
generally subject to restrictions on resale and generally have no established trading market.
Because of the type of investments that we make and the nature of our business, our valuation
process requires an analysis of various factors. Our fair value methodology includes the
examination of, among other things, the underlying investment performance, financial condition, and
market changing events that impact valuation.
Our process for determining the fair value of a security of a private company will begin
with determining the enterprise value of the company that issued the security. The fair value of
our investment will be based on the enterprise value at which a company could be sold in an orderly
disposition over a reasonable period of time between willing parties other than in a forced or
liquidation sale.
There is no one methodology to determine enterprise value and, in fact, for any one company,
enterprise value may best be expressed as a range of fair values, from which we will derive a
single estimate of enterprise value. To determine the enterprise value of a company, we will
analyze its historical and projected financial results. We will generally require companies in
which we invest to provide us with annual audited, and quarterly and monthly unaudited, financial
statements, as well as annual projections for the upcoming fiscal year. We expect to value
companies on discounted cash flow analysis and multiples of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest,
Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), cash flow, net income, revenues or, in some instances, book
value. We expect to use financial measures such as EBITDA or EBITDAM (Earnings Before Interest,
Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and, in some instances, management fees) in order to assess a
portfolio companys financial performance and to value a portfolio company.
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EBITDA and EBITDAM are not intended to represent cash flow from operations as defined by U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles and such information should not be considered as an
alternative to net income, cash flow from operations, or any other measure of performance
prescribed by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. When using EBITDA to determine
enterprise value, we may adjust EBITDA for non-recurring items. Such adjustments are intended to
normalize EBITDA to reflect a portfolio companys earning power. Adjustments to EBITDA may include
acquisition, recapitalization, or restructuring related items or one-time non-recurring income or
expense items.
In determining a multiple to use for valuation purposes, we will look to private merger and
acquisition statistics, discounted public trading multiples or industry practice. In estimating a
reasonable multiple, we will consider not only the fact that the portfolio company may be a private
company relative to a peer group of public companies, but we also will consider the size and scope
of the company and its specific strengths and weaknesses. If a company is distressed, a liquidation
analysis may provide the best indication of enterprise value.
If the portfolio company has an adequate enterprise value to
support the repayment of our debt, the fair value of our loan or
debt security normally corresponds to cost unless the portfolio
companys condition or other factors lead to a
determination of fair value at a different amount. When we
receive nominal cost warrants or free equity securities
(nominal cost equity), we will allocate our cost
basis in our investment between debt securities and nominal cost
equity at the time of origination. At that time, the original
issue discount basis of the nominal cost equity is recorded by
increasing the cost basis in the equity and decreasing the cost
basis in the related debt securities. The fair value of equity
interests in portfolio companies is determined based on various
factors, including the enterprise value remaining for equity
holders after the repayment of our debt and other preference
capital, and other pertinent factors such as recent offers to
purchase a company, recent transactions involving the purchase
or sale of the equity securities of the company, or other
liquidation events. The determined equity values are generally
discounted when we have a minority position, are subject to
restrictions on resale, have specific concerns about the
receptivity of the capital markets to a specific company at a
certain time, or other comparable factors exist.
Our board of directors will undertake a multi-step valuation
process each quarter in connection with determining the fair
value of our private company investments:
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Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio
company or investment being initially valued by the investment
professionals of our Advisor. As part of this process, materials
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The investment committee of our Advisor reviews the preliminary
valuations, and the investment professionals of our Advisor
consider and assess, as appropriate, any changes that may be
required to the preliminary valuations to address any comments
provided by the investment committee of our Advisor; |
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Our board of directors assesses the valuations and will
ultimately determine the fair value of each private company investment in our
portfolio in good faith; and |
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An independent valuation firm engaged by us to advise our board
of directors will perform certain limited procedures that
our board of directors has identified and asked them to perform on a selection of
these valuations as determined by our board of directors. |
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We have retained Duff & Phelps, LLC, an independent
valuation firm, to advise our board of directors and provide
third-party valuation consulting services which consists of
certain limited procedures that our board of directors has identified and requested
them to perform. Upon completion of such limited procedures,
Duff & Phelps, LLC will review the fair value, as
determined by our board of directors, of those investments subjected to their
limited procedures, and make a determination as to whether the
fair value, as determined by our board of directors, does or does not appear to be
unreasonable. Duff & Phelps, LLCs limited
procedures do not and will not involve an audit, review,
compilation or any other form of examination or attestation
under generally accepted auditing standards. Our board of
directors is solely responsible for determining the fair value
of the investments in good faith. Duff & Phelps, LLC
is not responsible for determining the fair value of any
individual investment or portfolio of investments, nor are the
limited procedures performed by Duff & Phelps, LLC
intended to be used to determine fair value of any
investment or portfolio of investment. The limited
procedures performed by Duff & Phelps, LLC are
supplementary to the inquiries and procedures that the board of
directors is required to undertake to determine the fair value
of the investments in good faith.
Because of the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair
value of investments that do not have a readily available market
value, the fair value of our investments determined in good
faith by our board of directors may be materially different from
the values that would have been used had a ready market existed
for the investments. Determination of fair value involves
subjective judgments and estimates not susceptible to
substantiation by auditing procedures. Accordingly, under
current auditing standards, the notes to our financial
statements will refer to the uncertainty with respect to the
possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such
valuations, on our financial statements.
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Determinations in Connection with Offerings
In connection with each offering by us of our common shares, our board of directors (or a
committee thereof) is required to make the determination that we are not selling our common shares
at a price below the then current net asset value of our common shares at the time at which the
sale is made. Our board of directors considers the following factors, among others, in making such
determination:
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the net asset value of our common shares disclosed in the most recent periodic report we
filed with the SEC; |
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our managements assessment of whether any material change in the net asset value of our
common shares has occurred (including through the realization of gains on the sale of our
portfolio securities) from the period beginning on the date of the most recently disclosed
net asset value of our common shares to the period ending two days prior to the date of the
sale of our common shares; and |
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the magnitude of the difference between the net asset value of our common shares disclosed
in the most recent periodic report we filed with the SEC and our managements assessment of
any material change in the net asset value of our common shares since the date of the most
recently disclosed net asset value of our common shares, and the offering price of our common
shares in the proposed offering. |
Importantly, this determination does not require that we calculate the net asset value of our
common shares in connection with each offering of common shares, but instead it involves the
determination by our board of directors (or a committee thereof) that we are not selling common
shares at a price below the then current net asset value of our common shares at the time at which
the sale is made.
Our stockholders granted us the right to sell our common shares below net asset value at a
special meeting held on December 21, 2006. This authority
extended through December 20, 2007, and we anticipate seeking approval to sell our common shares below net asset
value at our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders. To the extent
we issue shares below the then current net asset value of our common shares, the price per share
will be the fair market value as determined by the board of directors. In addition, we will only
sell common shares below our then current net asset value if all of the following conditions are
met:
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the per share offering price, before deduction of underwriting fees, commissions and
offering expenses, will not be less than the net asset value per common share, as determined
at any time within two business days of pricing of the common shares to be sold in the
offering; |
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immediately following the offering, after deducting offering expenses and underwriting fees
and commissions, the net asset value per common share, as determined at any time within two
business days of pricing of the common shares to be sold, would not have been diluted by
greater than a total of 4% of the net asset value per share of all outstanding common shares.
We will not be subject to a maximum number of shares that can be sold or a defined minimum
sales price per share in any offering so long as the aggregate number of shares offered and
the price at which such shares are sold together would not result in dilution of the net
asset value per common share in excess of the 4% limitation; and |
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a majority of our Independent Directors makes a determination, based on information and a
recommendation from our Advisor, that they reasonably expect that the investment(s) to be
made with the net proceeds of such issuance will lead to long-term distribution growth. |
These processes and procedures are part of our compliance policies and procedures. Records
will be made contemporaneously with all determinations described in this section and these records
will be maintained with other records we are required to maintain under the 1940 Act.
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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax
considerations that are applicable to us and to an investment in our common shares. This summary
does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to such
an investment. For example, the following discussion does not describe income tax consequences that
are assumed to be generally known by a U.S. stockholder (as defined below) or certain
considerations that may be relevant to certain types of U.S. stockholders subject to special
treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including tax-exempt organizations, insurance
companies, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts and financial institutions. This summary
assumes that you hold our common shares as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code). The
discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial
interpretations, each as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change,
possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not
and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the Service) regarding any of the
tax considerations discussed herein. Except as discussed below, this summary does not discuss any
aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special
treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt
securities or certain other investment assets.
A U.S. stockholder generally is a beneficial owner of our common shares that is, for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, any one of the following:
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a citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation, partnership or other entity created in or organized under the laws of the
United States or any political subdivision thereof; |
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and the control of a United States person. |
A Non-U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner of our common shares that is not a U.S.
stockholder.
If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal
income tax purposes) holds our common shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership
will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A
prospective stockholder that is a partnership holding our common shares or a partner of such a
partnership should consult his, her or its own tax advisor with respect to the purchase, ownership
and disposition of our common shares.
Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to a U.S. stockholder or a Non-U.S.
stockholder of an investment in our common shares will depend on the facts of his, her or its
particular situation. We encourage investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the
specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the
applicability of federal, state, local and foreign tax laws and the effect of any possible changes
in the tax laws.
Federal Income Taxation of the Company
We have been formed as a corporation under Maryland law. We currently are, have been, and
intend to continue to be, treated as a general business corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Thus, we are, and intend to continue to be, obligated to pay federal and applicable state
income tax on our taxable income. We intend to invest our assets primarily in entities treated as
partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partner in a partnership, we will have to
report our allocable share of the partnerships taxable income in computing our taxable income.
Based upon our review of the historic results of the type of entity in which we intend to invest,
we expect that the cash distributions received by us with respect to our investments in
partnerships will exceed the taxable income allocated to us from such investments. There is no
assurance that our expectation regarding distributions from the partnerships exceeding allocated
taxable income from the partnerships will be realized. If this expectation is not realized, there
will be greater taxes paid by us and less cash available to distribute to our stockholders. In
addition, we will take into account in computing our taxable income amounts of gain or loss
recognized by us on the disposition of our investments. Currently, the maximum marginal regular
federal income tax rate for a corporation is 35%. We may be subject to a 20% federal alternative
minimum tax on our federal alternative minimum taxable income to the extent that our alternative
minimum tax exceeds our regular federal income tax.
We do not intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under the Code. The Code generally provides
that a RIC does not pay an entity level income tax, provided that it distributes all or
substantially all of its income. The RIC taxation rules currently do not, and are not intended in
the future to, have any application to us or to our stockholders.
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Taxation of U.S. Stockholders
A distribution by us on your common shares will be treated as a taxable dividend to you to the
extent of your share of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. If the distribution
exceeds your share of our earnings and profits, the distribution will be treated as a return of
capital to the extent of your basis in our common shares, and then as capital gain. You will
receive a Form 1099 from us and will recognize dividend income only to the extent of your share of
our current or accumulated earnings and profits.
Generally, our earnings and profits are computed based upon taxable income, with certain
specified adjustments. As explained above, we anticipate that the distributed cash from our
portfolio investments in entities treated as partnerships for tax purposes will exceed our share of
taxable income from those portfolio investments. Thus, we anticipate that only a portion of
distributions we make on the common shares will be treated as dividend income to our stockholders.
The federal income tax law generally provides that qualifying dividend income paid to
non-corporate U.S. stockholders is subject to federal income tax at the rate applicable to
long-term capital gains, which is generally a maximum rate of 15%. The portion of our distributions
on our common shares treated as dividends for federal income tax purposes will be treated as
qualifying dividends for federal income tax purposes provided that you satisfy certain holding
period and other applicable requirements. This rate of tax on dividends is currently scheduled to
increase back to ordinary income rates after December 31, 2010. If we are taxed as a general
business corporation, a corporate U.S. stockholder generally will be eligible for the
dividends-received deduction generally allowed U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received
from U.S. corporations provided that the corporate U.S. stockholder satisfies certain holding
period and other applicable requirements.
If a U.S. stockholder participates in our automatic dividend reinvestment plan, such U.S.
stockholder will be taxed upon the amount of distributions as if such amount had been received by
the participating U.S. stockholder and the U.S. stockholder reinvested such amount in additional
common shares.
Upon a sale or exchange of our common shares, a U.S. stockholder will recognize a taxable gain
or loss depending upon his, her or its basis in our common shares. Such gain or loss will be
treated as long-term capital gain or loss if our common shares have been held for more than one
year. Subject to limited exceptions, capital losses cannot be used to offset ordinary income. In
the case of a non-corporate U.S. stockholder, long-term capital gain generally is subject to a
maximum tax rate of 15%, which maximum tax rate is currently scheduled to increase to 20% for
dispositions occurring during taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.
We may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (backup withholding) at a 28%-rate
from all taxable distributions to any non-corporate U.S. stockholder (i) who fails to furnish a
correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such stockholder is exempt from backup
withholding, or (ii) with respect to whom the Service has notified us that such stockholder has
failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the Service and to respond to
notices to that effect. An individuals taxpayer identification number is his or her social
security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the
U.S. stockholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that proper information is timely
provided to the Service.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders
Whether an investment in the shares is appropriate for a Non-U.S. stockholder will depend on
that persons particular circumstances. An investment in the shares by a Non-U.S. stockholder may
have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors before
investing in our common shares.
In general, dividend distributions paid by us to a Non-U.S. stockholder are subject to
withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate). If the
distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder
(and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment
maintained by the Non-U.S. stockholder in the United States), we will not be required to withhold
federal income tax if the Non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and
disclosure requirements, although the distributions will be subject to federal income tax at the
rates applicable to U.S. stockholders. Any such effectively connected dividends may, under certain
circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as
may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. (Special certification requirements apply to a
Non-U.S. stockholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged
to consult their own tax advisors.)
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A Non-U.S. stockholder generally will not be taxed on any gain recognized on a disposition of
our common stock unless:
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the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. stockholders conduct of a trade or
business in the United States and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is
attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. stockholder in the
United States; in these cases, the gain will be taxed on a net income basis at the regular
graduated rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. stockholders (unless an applicable
income tax treaty provides otherwise) and, under certain circumstances, the branch profits
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the Non-U.S. stockholder is an individual who holds our common stock as a capital asset, is
present in the United States for more then 182 days in the taxable year of the disposition
and meets other requirements (in which case, except as otherwise provided by an applicable
income tax treaty, the gain, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses, generally
will be subject to a flat 30% U.S. federal income tax, even though the Non-U.S. stockholder
is not considered a resident alien under the Code); or |
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we are or have been a U.S. real property holding corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of
disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. stockholder held our common stock. |
Generally, a corporation is a U.S. real property holding corporation if the fair market
value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market
value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a
trade or business. For this purpose, we generally will be treated as owning our proportionate share
of the assets of a partnership in which we own an equity interest. The determination of whether we
are a U.S. real property holding corporation at any given time will depend on the mix of our assets
and their fair market values at such time, which is difficult to predict, and it is possible that
we will be a U.S. real property holding corporation. However, the tax relating to stock in a U.S.
real property holding corporation generally will not apply to a Non-U.S. stockholder whose
holdings, direct and indirect, at all times during the applicable period, constituted 5% or less of
our common shares (a Non-5% holder), provided that our common shares were regularly traded on an
established securities market at any time during the calendar year of the disposition. Our common
shares have been approved for listing on the NYSE. Although not free from doubt, our common shares
should be considered to be regularly traded on an established securities market for any calendar
quarter during which they are regularly quoted on the NYSE by brokers or dealers that hold
themselves out to buy or sell our common shares at the quoted price. If our common shares were not
considered to be regularly traded on the NYSE at any time during the applicable calendar year, then
a Non-5% holder would be taxed for U.S. federal income tax purposes on any gain realized on the
disposition of our common shares on a net income basis as if the gain were effectively connected
with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business by the Non-5% holder during the taxable year and, in
such case, the person acquiring our common shares from a Non-5% holder generally would have to
withhold 10% of the amount of the proceeds of the disposition. Such withholding may be reduced or
eliminated pursuant to a withholding certificate issued by the Service in accordance with
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We urge all Non-U.S. stockholders to consult their own tax
advisors regarding the application of these rules to them.
A Non-U.S. stockholder who is a non-resident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to
withholding of federal income tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding
of federal income tax on dividends unless the Non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend
paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN (or an acceptable substitute or successor form) or otherwise
meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. stockholder or
otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.
Our common shares that are owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a U.S.
citizen or resident of the United States (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax
purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individuals gross estate for U.S. federal
estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax or other treaty provides otherwise and,
therefore, may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.
Non-U.S. persons should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the United States
federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an
investment in the shares.
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Federal Income Tax Aspects of Warrants
If you exercise a warrant, you will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes (except that gain or loss will be recognized to the extent you receive cash in lieu of a
fractional common share as if you had actually received the fractional share and the fractional
share was immediately redeemed for cash). Your initial tax basis in the common share received upon
exercise of a warrant will be the sum of the exercise price paid and your adjusted tax basis in the
warrant (excluding any portion of such sum allocable to a fractional common share), and your
holding period for the common share received will begin on the day you exercise the warrant. If you
sell or exchange a warrant, you will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the
amount realized in the sale or exchange and your adjusted tax basis in the warrant sold or
exchanged. If the warrant expires unexercised, you will recognize a loss in an amount equal to your
adjusted tax basis in the warrant at such time. Any such gain or loss from the sale, exchange or
expiration of the warrants will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss
if your holding period for the warrants exceeds one year at the time of the sale, exchange or
expiration.
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REGULATION
We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and are subject to the regulations
and restrictions described below. A BDC is a unique kind of investment company that primarily
focuses on investing in or lending to private companies and providing managerial assistance to
them. A BDC generally provides stockholders with the ability to retain the liquidity of a publicly
traded security, while sharing in the possible benefits of investing in privately-held or thinly
traded public and privately-owned companies. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions
relating to transactions between business development companies and their directors and officers
and principal underwriters and certain other related persons, and the 1940 Act requires that a
majority of the directors be persons other than interested persons as defined under the 1940 Act.
Qualifying Assets
Under the 1940 Act, we may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in
Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, or qualifying assets, unless at the time the acquisition is made
qualifying assets represent at least 70% of our total assets. The principal categories of
qualifying assets relevant to our proposed businesses are the following:
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Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of
the securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio
company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated
person of an eligible portfolio company. An eligible portfolio company is currently defined
in the 1940 Act as any issuer that: |
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is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United
States; and |
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is not an investment company (other than a SBIC wholly owned by the BDC) or a company
that would be an investment company but for certain exceptions under the 1940 Act; and |
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satisfies any of the following: |
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does not have any class of securities with respect to which a broker or dealer may extend margin credit; |
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is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC, and the BDC has
an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or |
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is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million
and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million; or |
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does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange. |
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Securities of any eligible portfolio company that we control. |
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Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an
investment company and is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization. |
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Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private
transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the
outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company. |
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Securities received in exchange for, or distributed on or with respect to, securities
described above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such
securities. |
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Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities
maturing in one year or less from the time of investment. |
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Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from an issuer,
or from any person who is an officer or employee of the issuer, if (A) the issuer (i) is
organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States,
(ii) is not an investment company (other than a SBIC wholly owned by the BDC) or a company
that would not be an investment company bur for certain exceptions under the 1940 Act), and
(iii) is not an eligible portfolio company because it has |
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a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, and (B) at the time of such
purchase we own at least (i) 50% of the greatest number of equity securities of such issuer
and securities convertible into or exchangeable for such securities and 50% of the greatest
amount of debt securities of such issuer held by us any point in time during the period when
such issuer was an eligible portfolio company, and (ii) we are one of the 20 largest holders
of record of such issuers outstanding voting securities. |
We may invest up to 30% of our total assets in assets that are non-qualifying assets and are
not subject to the limitations referenced above. These investments may include, among other things,
investments in high yield bonds, bridge loans, distressed debt, commercial loans, private equity,
securities of public companies or secondary market purchases of otherwise qualifying assets. If the
value of non-qualifying assets should at any time exceed 30% of our total assets, we will be
precluded from acquiring any additional non-qualifying assets until such time as the value of our
qualifying assets again equals at least 70% of our total assets. See Risk Factors If our
investments are deemed not to be qualifying assets, we could lose our status as a BDC or be
precluded from investing according to our current business plan.
Significant Managerial Assistance
A BDC must be organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must
be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described above.
However, in order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70%
test, a BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the
issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant
managerial assistance. Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other
things, any arrangement whereby a BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to
provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the
management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company through
monitoring or portfolio company operations, selective participation in board and management
meetings, consulting with and advising a portfolio companys officers, or other organizational or
financial guidance.
In addition, although we are
not currently doing so, we may in the future charge for providing managerial assistance.
Temporary Investments
Pending investments in other types of qualifying assets, as described above, a BDCs
investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high quality debt
securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment. There is no other percentage
restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be so invested.
Determination of Net Asset Value
The net asset value per share of our outstanding common stock is determined quarterly, as soon
as practicable after, and as of the end of, each fiscal quarter. The net asset value per common
share will be equal to the value of our total assets minus liabilities and any preferred securities
outstanding divided by the total number of common shares outstanding at the date as of which such
determination is made. Fair value will be determined in good faith by our board of directors
pursuant to a valuation policy. See Determination of Net Asset Value.
Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio
We are permitted, only under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness
and one class of security senior to our common securities if our asset coverage, as defined in the
1940 Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any
senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our
stockholders or the repurchase of such securities unless we meet the applicable asset coverage
ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. For a discussion of the risks associated with
the resulting leverage, see Risk Factors Risks Related to Our Operations.
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Derivative Securities
The 1940 Act limits the amount of derivative securities that we may issue and the terms of
such securities. Apart from our 957,130 warrants issued in our private placements, we do not have,
and do not anticipate having, outstanding derivative securities relating to our common shares.
Code of Ethics
We are required to maintain a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that
establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities
transactions. Personnel subject to the code of ethics may invest in securities for their personal
investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such
investments are made in accordance with the code of ethics.
Privacy Principles
We are committed to maintaining the privacy of our stockholders and safeguarding their
non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what
personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may
share information with select other parties.
Generally, we do not receive any non-public personal information relating to our stockholders,
although certain non-public personal information of our stockholders may become available to us. We
do not disclose any non-public personal information about our stockholders or former stockholders
to anyone, except as required by law or as is necessary in order to service stockholder accounts
(for example, to a transfer agent).
We restrict access to non-public personal information about our stockholders to employees of
our Advisor with a legitimate business need for the information. We maintain physical, electronic
and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of our
stockholders.
Affiliate Transactions
Under the 1940 Act, we and our affiliates may be precluded from co-investing in private
placements of securities. Our Advisor and TYG have applied to the SEC for exemptive relief to
permit TYG, TYY, TYN, TTRF, TGOC us and our and their respective affiliates to make such investments. Unless
and until we obtain an exemptive order, we will not co-invest with our affiliates in negotiated
private placement transactions. We cannot guarantee that the requested relief will be granted by
the SEC. Unless and until we obtain an exemptive order, our Advisor will not co-invest its
proprietary accounts or other clients assets in negotiated private transactions in which we
invest. Until we receive exemptive relief, our Advisor will observe a policy for allocating
opportunities among its clients that takes into account the amount of each clients available cash
and its investment objectives. As a result of one or more of these situations, we may not be able
to invest as much as we otherwise would in certain investments or may not be able to liquidate a
position as quickly.
Compliance Policies and Procedures
We have written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the
federal securities laws, and are required to review these compliance policies and procedures
annually for adequacy and effective implementation and to designate a Chief Compliance Officer to
be responsible for administering the policies and procedures.
Securities Exchange Act Compliance
We are subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Exchange Act, including the filing of quarterly, annual and current reports, proxy
statements and other required items. In addition, beginning with our annual report for our fiscal
year ended November 30, 2008, we will be subject to the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, requiring reports on Section 404 internal controls over financial reporting.
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Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on
publicly-held companies and their insiders. For example:
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pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer must certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic
reports; |
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pursuant to Item 307 of Regulation S-K, our periodic reports must disclose our conclusions
about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures; |
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pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our management must prepare a report regarding its
assessment of our internal control over financial reporting, which must be audited by our
independent registered public accounting firm; and |
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pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K and Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our periodic
reports must disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal controls or in
other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their
evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and
material weaknesses. |
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The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our current policies and procedures to determine
whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. We will
continue to monitor our compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.
Withdrawal
We may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election
as, a BDC, unless authorized by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as
defined in the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act defines a majority of the outstanding voting securities as
the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting securities present at such meeting if the holders of
more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) 50%
of our voting securities.
Other
We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act.
We maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against
larceny and embezzlement. We will not protect any director or officer against any liability to our
stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of such persons office.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
We are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per
share, and up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par
value per share. As of January 31,
2008, we have ___ common shares, and warrants to
purchase ____ common shares, issued and
outstanding. Our board of directors may, without any action by our stockholders, amend our Charter
from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of
shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. Additionally, our Charter
authorizes our board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, to classify and
reclassify any unissued common shares and preferred shares into other classes or series of stock
from time to time by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting
powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms
or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Although there is no present intention of
doing so, we could issue a class or series of stock that could delay, defer or prevent a
transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in our stockholders best interests.
Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations.
The
following table provides information about our outstanding capital
stock as of January 31,
2008:
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Held by the |
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Outstanding |
Common Stock |
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100,000,000 |
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0 |
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Preferred Stock |
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10,000,000 |
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0 |
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Common Shares
All common shares offered by this prospectus will be duly authorized, fully paid and
nonassessable. Our stockholders are entitled to receive dividends if and when authorized by our
board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends.
Our stockholders are also entitled to share ratably in the assets legally available for
distribution to our stockholders in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after
payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to
the preferential rights of any other class or series of our capital stock.
In the event that we have preferred shares outstanding, and so long as we remain subject to
the 1940 Act, holders of our common shares will not be entitled to receive any net income of or
other distributions from us unless all accumulated dividends on preferred shares have been paid and
the asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to preferred shares and any
outstanding debt is at least 200% after giving effect to such distributions.
Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a
vote of our stockholders, including the election of directors. The presence of the holders of
shares of our stock entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast shall constitute a
quorum at a meeting of our stockholders. Our Charter provides that, except as otherwise provided in
our Bylaws, each director shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. Our Bylaws provide that each director
shall be elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and
at which a quorum is present. In order to receive a plurality, a
director candidate must receive a greater number of votes than anyone
running against that candidate. If a director candidate receives 50
votes, for example, and two other director candidates receive 49 and
2, the first director candidate will have a plurality of one vote
over his closest opponent, despite not having a majority. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Consequently, at each annual meeting of our stockholders, the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote will be able to elect all of the successors of
the class of directors whose terms expire at that meeting. Pursuant to our Charter and Bylaws, our
board of directors may amend the Bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.
Holders of our common shares have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund,
redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our
securities. All of our common shares will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
If we offer additional common shares, the offering will require approval of our board of
directors and, so long as we remain subject to the 1940 Act, the offering will be subject to the
requirement that shares may not be sold at a price below the then-current net asset value,
exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions, except in limited circumstances, including in
connection with an offering to our existing stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our
stockholders granted us the authority to sell our common shares below net asset value, subject to
certain conditions through December 20, 2007, and we anticipate seeking approval to sell our common shares below net asset value at our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders.
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Preferred Shares
We may, but are not required to, issue preferred shares. As long as we remain subject to the
1940 Act at the time of a preferred share offering, we will be subject to the 1940 Act restriction
that currently limits the aggregate liquidation preference of all outstanding preferred stock to
50% of the value of our total assets less our liabilities and indebtedness. We also believe the
liquidation preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of the preferred shares will be
similar to those stated below.
As long as we are subject to the 1940 Act, the holders of any preferred shares, voting
separately as a single class, will have the right to elect at least two directors at all times. The
remaining directors will be elected by holders of common shares and preferred stock, voting
together as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any
other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any preferred stock will have the
right to elect a majority of the directors at any time accumulated dividends on any preferred stock
have not been paid for at least two years. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any
approval by stockholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a
majority of any outstanding preferred stock, voting separately as a class, would be required to
adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred stock. See Certain
Provisions of Our Charter and Bylaws and the Maryland General Corporation Law. As a result of
these voting rights, our ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that any of
our preferred shares are outstanding.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares, voting
as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or
powers of holders of preferred shares so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences,
rights or powers. The class vote of holders of preferred shares described above will in each case
be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.
The terms of the preferred shares, if issued, are expected to provide that (i) they are
redeemable in whole or in part at the original purchase price per share plus accrued dividends per
share, (ii) we may tender for or repurchase our preferred shares and (iii) we may subsequently
resell any shares so tendered for or repurchased by us. Any redemption or purchase of our preferred
shares will reduce the leverage applicable to our common shares, while any resale of our shares
will increase that leverage.
The discussion above describes the possible offering of our preferred shares. If our board of
directors determines to proceed with such an offering, the terms of our preferred shares may be the
same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and our Charter.
Our board of directors, without the approval of the holders of our common shares, may authorize an
offering of preferred shares or may determine not to authorize such an offering, and may fix the
terms of our preferred shares to be offered.
The information contained under this heading is subject to the provisions contained in our
Charter and Bylaws and the laws of the State of Maryland.
Warrants
Each of our outstanding warrants is currently exercisable and
entitles the holder thereof to purchase one common share at the exercise price of $15.00 per common
share. All warrants expire on February 6, 2013. No fractional warrant shares will be issued upon
exercise of the warrants. We will pay to the holder of the warrant at the time of exercise an
amount in cash equal to the current market value of any such fractional warrant shares.
The warrants are afforded standard anti-dilution protection. As a part of that protection, the
number of common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants (or any shares of stock or other
securities at the time issuable upon exercise of such warrants) and the warrant exercise price
shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect any and all stock dividends (other than cash dividends),
stock splits, combinations of shares, reclassifications, recapitalizations or other similar events
affecting the number of outstanding common shares (or such other stock or securities) so as to
cause the holder thereafter exercising warrants to receive the number of common shares or other
capital stock such holder would have received if such warrant had been exercised immediately prior
to such event.
If we make an extraordinary dividend on the outstanding common shares, each holder will be
entitled to receive the extraordinary dividend made on the outstanding common shares the holder
would have received if such warrant had been exercised immediately prior to such extraordinary
dividend.
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In addition, if the common shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants shall be changed
into the same or different number of shares of any class or classes of common shares, whether by
capital reorganization, reclassification or otherwise (other than a reorganization, merger,
consolidation or sale of assets), then, in and as a condition to the effectiveness of each such
event, the holder of a warrant has the right thereafter to exercise such warrant for the kind and
amount of common shares and other securities and property receivable upon such reorganization,
reclassification or other change by the holder of the number of common shares for which such
warrant might have been exercised immediately prior to such reorganization, reclassification or
change.
In the case of a dividend or distribution paid pursuant to a plan of consolidation or merger
by us with another person (other than a merger or consolidation in which we are the continuing
person and the common shares are not exchanged for securities, property or assets issued, delivered
or paid by another person), or in case of any lease, sale or conveyance to another person (other
than a wholly-owned subsidiary) of all or substantially all of our property or assets, warrants
shall thereafter (until the end of the exercise period) evidence the right to receive, upon
exercise, in lieu of common shares, deliverable upon such exercise immediately prior to such
consolidation, merger, lease, sale or conveyance, the kind and amount of shares and/or other
securities and/or property and assets and/or cash that a holder would have been entitled to receive
upon such consolidation, merger, lease, sale or conveyance had the holder exercised its warrants
immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, lease, sale or conveyance, provided that to the
extent a stockholder would have had an opportunity to elect the form of consideration, any holder
not exercising its warrants shall be entitled to the same consideration that a holder of such
common shares failing to make any such election would have been entitled to receive upon such
transaction.
Our warrants are separate instruments from our common shares and are permitted to be
transferred independently from our common shares, subject to certain transfer restrictions. The
warrants have no voting rights and the common shares underlying the unexercised warrants will have
no voting rights until such common shares are received upon exercise of warrants.
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND
THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
The following description of certain provisions of our Charter and Bylaws is only a summary.
For a complete description, please refer to our Charter and Bylaws, a copy of which are obtainable
upon request.
Our Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could delay, defer or prevent other entities or
persons from acquiring control of us, causing us to engage in certain transactions or modifying our
structure. These provisions, all of which are summarized below, may be regarded as anti-takeover
provisions. Such provisions could limit the ability of stockholders to sell their shares at a
premium over the then-current market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain
control of us. In addition to these provisions, we are incorporated in Maryland and therefore
expect to be subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act and the Maryland General
Corporation Law. Also, certain provisions of the 1940 Act may serve to discourage a third party
from seeking to obtain control of us.
Number and Classification of our Board of Directors; Election of Directors
Our Charter and Bylaws provide that the number of directors may be established only by our
board of directors pursuant to the Bylaws, but may not be less than one. Our Bylaws provide that
the number of directors may not be greater than nine. Pursuant to our Charter, our board of
directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The term of each class of
directors expires in a different successive year. Upon the expiration of their term, directors of
each class are elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected
and qualify. Each year, only one class of directors is elected by the stockholders. The
classification of our board of directors should help to assure the continuity and stability of our
strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors.
Our classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent
directors more time-consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of our stockholders,
instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of
directors. Thus, the classification of our board of directors could increase the likelihood that
incumbent directors will retain their positions and may delay, defer or prevent a change in control
of the board of directors, even though a change in control might be in the best interests of our
stockholders.
Vacancies on Board of Directors; Removal of Directors
Our Charter provides that we have elected to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of
Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law regarding the filling of vacancies on the board of
directors. Accordingly, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of
any class or series of preferred shares, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be
filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the
remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall
serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and
until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
The Charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes of our
preferred stock, a director may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at
least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of our directors. This provision,
when coupled with the provisions in our Charter and Bylaws regarding the filling of vacancies on
the board of directors, precludes our stockholders from removing incumbent directors, except for
cause and by a substantial affirmative vote, and filling the vacancies created by the removal with
nominees of our stockholders.
Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of Charter and Bylaws
Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter,
merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar
transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless approved by the affirmative vote of
stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a
lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter. Our Charter generally provides for approval of Charter amendments and extraordinary
transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast on the matter.
Our Charter and Bylaws provide that the board of directors will have the exclusive power to
make, alter, amend or repeal any provision of our Bylaws.
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Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our Bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of our stockholders, nominations of
persons for election to our board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by our
stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the
direction of our board of directors or (iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the Bylaws. With respect to
special meetings of our stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may
be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to our board of directors at a
special meeting may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the
direction of our board of directors, or (iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of our Bylaws, provided that our
board of directors has determined that directors will be elected at the meeting.
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the
liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages
except for liability resulting from (i) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money,
property or services or (ii) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as
being material to the cause of action. Our Charter contains such a provision which eliminates
directors and officers liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
Our Charter authorizes us, and our Bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by
Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former
director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves
or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is
made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in any
such capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or
which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or
reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our obligation
to indemnify any director, officer or other individual, however, is limited by the 1940 Act and
Investment Company Act Release No. 11330, which, among other things, prohibit us from indemnifying
any director, officer or other individual from any liability resulting directly from the willful
misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of duties or reckless disregard of
applicable obligations and duties of the directors, officers or other individuals and require us to
set forth reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification shall be made.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our Charter
does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any
proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her
service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former
directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and
reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may
be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities
unless it is established that (i) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to
the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result
of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) the director or officer actually received an improper
personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding,
the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a
suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a
personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and
then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable
expenses to a director or officer upon the corporations receipt of (i) a written affirmation by
the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of
conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (ii) a written undertaking by him or
her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is
ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
These provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any of our stockholders
to seek nonmonetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event any of our directors or
officers breaches his or her duties. These provisions will not alter the liability of our directors
or officers under federal securities laws.
91
Control Share Acquisitions
We are covered by the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the Control Share Act), which
provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have
no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be
cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, and by officers or by directors who are employees
of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are
voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or
in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except
solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in
electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third; |
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one-third or more but less than a majority; or |
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a majority or more of all voting power. |
The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an acquiror crosses one of the
thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring
person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A
control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of
directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of
demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special
meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the
expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may present the
question at any stockholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver
an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may repurchase for
fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously
been approved. The right to repurchase control shares is subject to certain conditions and
limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the
control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any
meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved.
If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes
entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise
appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may
not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.
The Control Share Act does not apply (i) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or
share exchange if we are a party to the transaction or (ii) to acquisitions approved or exempted by
our Charter or Bylaws.
Our Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Act any and all acquisitions
by any person of our shares of stock. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be
otherwise amended or eliminated at any time in the future. However, we will amend our Bylaws to be
subject to the Control Share Act only if our board of directors determines that it would be in our
best interests and if the staff of the SEC does not object to our determination that our being
subject to the Control Share Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act.
Business Combinations
We are covered by the Maryland Business Combination Act (the Business Combination Act),
which provides that business combinations between a Maryland corporation and an interested
stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the
most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These
business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances
specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities.
An interested stockholder is defined as:
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any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporations shares; or |
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an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period
prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of
the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation. |
92
A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if the board of directors
approved in advance the transaction by which such stockholder otherwise would have become an
interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide
that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and
conditions determined by the board.
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and
an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the
corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of
the corporation; and |
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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation
other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the
business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested
stockholder. |
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporations common stockholders
receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or
other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its
shares.
The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations
that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes
an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting any business
combination between us and any other person from the provisions of the Business Combination Act,
provided that the business combination is first approved by our board of directors, including a
majority of the directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act. This
resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution
is repealed, or our board of directors does not otherwise approve a business combination, the
statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of
consummating any offer.
93
SELLING HOLDERS
Below is information with respect to the number of common shares and warrants owned by each of
the selling holders. The common shares and warrants are being registered to permit public secondary
trading. The selling holders may offer the common shares and warrants for resale from time to
time. We are registering the common shares and warrants described below pursuant to a registration
rights agreement entered into by us and the selling holders.
No offer or sale may be made by a stockholder unless that stockholder is listed in the table
below. The selling holders may sell all, some or none of the common shares or warrants covered by
this prospectus. Please read Plan of Distribution. We will bear all costs, fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the registration of the common shares and warrants offered by this
prospectus. Brokerage commissions and similar selling expenses, if any, attributable to the sale of
common shares or warrants will be borne by the selling holders.
No such sales may occur unless this prospectus has been declared effective by the SEC, and
remains effective at the time such selling holder offers or sells such common shares or warrants.
We are required to update this prospectus to reflect material developments in our business,
financial position and results of operations occurring prior to the completion of this offering.
The following table sets forth the name of each selling holder, the number of common shares
owned by each selling holder, the number of warrants owned by each selling holder, the number of
common shares and warrants that may be offered for the account of such selling holder under this
prospectus; and the percentage of the common shares to be owned by each selling holder following
the completion of the offering (assuming each selling holder sells all of the common shares covered
by this prospectus, including any common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants).
The percentages of common shares outstanding have been calculated based on ___ common
shares outstanding as of January 31, 2008. Except for Kenmonts sub-advisor relationship with us as
described herein, the selling holders have held no position or office or had any other material
relationship with us or any of our affiliates or predecessors, other than as a stockholder, during
the past three years.
We have prepared the table and the related notes based on information supplied to us by the
selling holders. We have not sought to verify such information. Additionally, some or all of the
selling holders may have sold or transferred some or all of the common shares or warrants listed
below in exempt or non-exempt transactions since the date on which the information was provided to
us. Other information about the selling holders may change over time and any changed information
will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus to the extent required.
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Common Shares and Warrants |
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Common Shares and Warrants |
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Common Shares |
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Beneficially Owned |
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Offered in |
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Beneficially Owned |
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Prior to this Offering |
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this Offering |
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Following this Offering(1) |
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Common |
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Common |
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Percentage |
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Name of Selling Holder |
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Shares(1) |
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Warrants |
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Shares(1) |
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Warrants |
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Number |
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Owned |
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2005 Margaret A. Nerman Irrev. Trust U/A 7/20/05 Peter Brown & Lewis Nerman
Co-TTEES C/O Lathrop & Gage, LC |
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1,245 |
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1,245 |
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1,245 |
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1,245 |
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0 |
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0 |
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A. Ray Cecale and Barbara Ann Cecale TTEES, A. Ray Cecale Trust DTD 1-16-98 |
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3,000 |
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600 |
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3,000 |
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600 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Barry G. Haimes |
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12,500 |
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2,500 |
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12,500 |
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2,500 |
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0 |
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0 |
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BF Partners, LP |
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33,332 |
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6,666 |
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33,332 |
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6,666 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Bradford M. Espten |
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21,582 |
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4,916 |
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21,582 |
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4,916 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Brian N. Kaufman & Susan C. Kaufman JTWROS |
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4,916 |
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1,583 |
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4,916 |
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1,583 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Carl E. Workman Trust, Carl E. Workman Trustee |
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12,500 |
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2,500 |
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12,500 |
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2,500 |
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0 |
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0 |
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CF Partners, LP |
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85,822 |
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19,156 |
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85,822 |
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19,156 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Charles E. Heath & Kathleen M. Heath, Trustees U/A Dtd. 2-1-92: Charles E. Heath Trust
#1 |
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3,750 |
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750 |
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3,750 |
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750 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Chris M. Shay |
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16,666 |
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3,333 |
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16,666 |
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3,333 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Christopher D. Long & Angie K. Long JTWROS |
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1,875 |
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1,875 |
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1,875 |
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1,875 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Cindy D. Brammer |
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43,750 |
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8,750 |
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43,750 |
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8,750 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Clyde Johnson |
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4,250 |
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850 |
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4,250 |
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850 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Conrad S. & Elizabeth A. Ciccotello |
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2,850 |
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250 |
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1,250 |
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250 |
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1,600 |
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* |
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Curtis A. Krizek Revocable Trust UTA Dtd 12/17/98, Curtis A Krizek Trustee |
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4,916 |
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1,583 |
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4,916 |
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1,583 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Dale J. Visser Trust, Dale J. Visser Trustee |
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25,000 |
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5,000 |
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25,000 |
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5,000 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Dana H. Nelson Revocable Trust, Dana H. Nelson TTEE DTD 12/08/95 |
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20,832 |
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4,166 |
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20,832 |
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4,166 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Delmar Equity Partners, L.P. |
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43,541 |
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10,208 |
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43,541 |
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10,208 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Delta Institutional, LP |
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141,666 |
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28,333 |
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141,666 |
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28,333 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Delta Offshore, Ltd. |
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228,082 |
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45,616 |
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228,082 |
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45,616 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Delta Onshore, LP |
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24,125 |
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4,825 |
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24,125 |
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4,825 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Delta Pleiades, LP |
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22,792 |
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4,558 |
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22,792 |
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4,558 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Dennis L. Baumann Trust A U/T/A Dated 11/24/92, Dennis L. Baumann, Trustee |
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21,770 |
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5,104 |
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21,770 |
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5,104 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Denver Investment Advisors LLC |
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50,000 |
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875 |
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50,000 |
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875 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Donald J. Miller |
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8,750 |
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1,750 |
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8,750 |
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1,750 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Donald R. McDonald & Deborah S. McDonald JTWROS |
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17,416 |
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4,083 |
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17,416 |
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4,083 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Donald W. Trotter |
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1,792 |
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|
358 |
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1,792 |
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358 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Douglas D. Klink Revocable Trust dated 3/16/2000, Douglas D. Klink Trustee |
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18,750 |
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3,750 |
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18,750 |
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3,750 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Douglas E. Campbell |
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1,250 |
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250 |
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1,250 |
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250 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Edgar Enterprises LLC |
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3,750 |
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|
750 |
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3,750 |
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|
750 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Elizabeth Trussel Garver & Stephen Douglas Garver, TTEES Elizabeth Trussel Garver
Trust Dated 12/21/2001 |
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16,666 |
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3,333 |
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|
16,666 |
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|
|
3,333 |
|
|
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0 |
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0 |
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Fred H. Pryor & Shirley J. Pryor Tenants by Entirety |
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20,832 |
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4,166 |
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20,832 |
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4,166 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Frederick M. Solberg Jr. & Elizabeth T. Solberg TEN ENT |
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17,416 |
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4,083 |
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17,416 |
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4,083 |
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0 |
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0 |
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George K. Baum & Company |
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17,497 |
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|
|
17,497 |
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|
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17,497 |
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17,497 |
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|
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0 |
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|
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0 |
|
Gerald M. White Trustee Gerald M. White Trust U/A DTD 12/19/85 |
|
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46,582 |
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|
9,916 |
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|
|
46,582 |
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|
|
9,916 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Gladys Van Noord |
|
|
8,750 |
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|
|
1,750 |
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|
|
8,750 |
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|
|
1,750 |
|
|
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0 |
|
|
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0 |
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Greg Bricker & Cynthia Jean Calbert Tenants by Entirety |
|
|
17,416 |
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|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
17,416 |
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|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
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|
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0 |
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H. Kevin Birzer & Michele S. Birzer JT TEN |
|
|
24,357 |
|
|
|
1,325 |
|
|
|
6,625 |
|
|
|
1,325 |
|
|
|
17,732 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Helen R. Mellema Trust |
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Irvine O. Hockaday Jr. Revocable Trust Dtd. 5/16/96, Irvine O. Hockaday Trustee |
|
|
18,166 |
|
|
|
4,833 |
|
|
|
18,166 |
|
|
|
4,833 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
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Irwin Blitt, Trustee Irwin Blitt Revocable Trust U/A DTD 1/28/1979 As Amended |
|
|
22,332 |
|
|
|
5,666 |
|
|
|
22,332 |
|
|
|
5,666 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Irwin Blitt, Trustee James Copaken Trust U/T/A Dated 12/27/76 |
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
J.A.S Trust DTD 7/6/72, Country Club Bank TTEE |
|
|
24,582 |
|
|
|
7,916 |
|
|
|
24,582 |
|
|
|
7,916 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Jack Fingersh not individually but as Trustee U/I/T of Jack Fingersh Dated 8/21/1992,
as Amended |
|
|
43,770 |
|
|
|
10,437 |
|
|
|
43,770 |
|
|
|
10,437 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
James F. Piontek Revocable Trust U/A Dated 8/2/94, James F. Piontek, Trustee |
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
James M. Copaken |
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
James S. Gerson Revocable Trust U/A Dated 04/94, James S. Gerson, Trustee |
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Jeffrey C. Reene Trustee, Jeffrey C. Reene Revocable Trust Dated 10/20/1999 |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Jerome S. Nerman Trustee of the Jerome S. Nerman Trust DTD 11/8/88 |
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Jimmie C. Davidson and Cindy S. Davidson JTWROS |
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
John Hughes Revocable Trust |
|
|
4,125 |
|
|
|
825 |
|
|
|
4,125 |
|
|
|
825 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
John R. Graham , Trustee of the John R. Graham Trust Dated 1/3/92 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
John T. Bowen |
|
|
21,770 |
|
|
|
5,104 |
|
|
|
21,770 |
|
|
|
5,104 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Jon Copaken & Shelley Copaken TEN ENT |
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
JPJ Investments, L.P. |
|
|
30,479 |
|
|
|
7,146 |
|
|
|
30,479 |
|
|
|
7,146 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Keith Copaken & Amy L. Copaken JTWROS |
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Kenmont Special Opportunities Master Fund, L.P. |
|
|
711,932 |
|
|
|
206,766 |
|
|
|
711,932 |
|
|
|
206,766 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Kenneth P. DeAngelis |
|
|
31,250 |
|
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
|
31,250 |
|
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Kenneth P. Malvey |
|
|
5,240 |
|
|
|
348 |
|
|
|
1,740 |
|
|
|
348 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Kristin D. Webster Revocable Trust Dtd. 4/10/2000, Kristen D. Webster Trustee |
|
|
26,125 |
|
|
|
6,125 |
|
|
|
26,125 |
|
|
|
6,125 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Larry H. Powell |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Laura Starr |
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Laura W. Greenbaum TTEE, Laura Marcia Wolff Greebaum Trust U/A 9/20/78 As Amended |
|
|
34,082 |
|
|
|
7,416 |
|
|
|
34,082 |
|
|
|
7,416 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Lee E. Schlessman |
|
|
20,416 |
|
|
|
7,083 |
|
|
|
20,416 |
|
|
|
7,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Lewis E. Nerman Trustee, Lewis E. Nerman Rev. Trust DTD 10/19/89 As Amended |
|
|
22,332 |
|
|
|
5,666 |
|
|
|
22,332 |
|
|
|
5,666 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Linda M. Sturgeon Trust U/A Dated 6/16/1992, Linda M. Sturgeon Trustee |
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Linda White Trustee of Linda White Revocable Trust Dated 7/14/93 |
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Lori F. Simmons and Chad J. Simmons Trustees of Lori F. Simmons Living Trust, Dtd.
1/9/04 |
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Man Mac Miesque 10B Ltd |
|
|
236,400 |
|
|
|
74,900 |
|
|
|
236,400 |
|
|
|
74,900 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Matthew E. Rubel & Melissa Rubel JTWROS |
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Max Caulkins |
|
|
18,541 |
|
|
|
5,208 |
|
|
|
18,541 |
|
|
|
5,208 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Michael G. Smith Trustee, Michael G. Smith Revocable Trust U/A Dated 11/03/1998 |
|
|
33,332 |
|
|
|
6,666 |
|
|
|
33,332 |
|
|
|
6,666 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Michael T. Platt Trust Dated May 20, 2003 Michael T. Platt & Tamie L. Platt Co-Trustees |
|
|
34,832 |
|
|
|
8,166 |
|
|
|
34,832 |
|
|
|
8,166 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Oncore Investments LP |
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
PAACT, Inc. |
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Paul Copaken & Shirley White Trustees of Lewis White Nonexempt Marital Trust U/T/A
Dated 12/29/86, as amended |
|
|
42,416 |
|
|
|
9,083 |
|
|
|
42,416 |
|
|
|
9,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Paul Copaken Trustee Paul Copaken Rev Trust DTD 10/24/79, as amended |
|
|
42,911 |
|
|
|
9,578 |
|
|
|
42,911 |
|
|
|
9,578 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
PFF, Inc. |
|
|
43,770 |
|
|
|
10,437 |
|
|
|
43,770 |
|
|
|
10,437 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Phase II Financial Ltd. |
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
R.J. Investments, L.P. C/O Robert N. Epsten |
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Rebecca Brammer |
|
|
43,750 |
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
43,750 |
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Regency East LLC |
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Richard B. Klein Lynn M. Klein Trustees The Richard B. Klein Revocable Trust U/A Dtd
6/8/93 As Amended |
|
|
21,770 |
|
|
|
5,104 |
|
|
|
21,770 |
|
|
|
5,104 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Rita Blitt, Trustee Rita Blitt Revocable Trust U/A DTD 1/28/1979 As Amended |
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Robert A. Tucci |
|
|
43,166 |
|
|
|
9,833 |
|
|
|
43,166 |
|
|
|
9,833 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Robert Cunningham Jr. |
|
|
22,520 |
|
|
|
5,854 |
|
|
|
22,520 |
|
|
|
5,854 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Robert K. Dalton |
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Robert N. Epsten Trust U/A Dated 6/29/93, Robert Epsten, Trustee |
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
17,416 |
|
|
|
4,083 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Rockbay Capital Fund, LLC |
|
|
56,003 |
|
|
|
13,190 |
|
|
|
56,003 |
|
|
|
13,190 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Rockbay Capital Institutional Fund, LLC |
|
|
337,258 |
|
|
|
79,434 |
|
|
|
337,258 |
|
|
|
79,434 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Rockbay Capital Offshore Fund, Ltd. |
|
|
102,070 |
|
|
|
24,041 |
|
|
|
102,070 |
|
|
|
24,041 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Roland D. Trost |
|
|
4,200 |
|
|
|
840 |
|
|
|
4,200 |
|
|
|
840 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Russell B. Pyne & Helen C. Pyne As Trustees of The Pyne Family Trust DTD 2/13/06 |
|
|
21,582 |
|
|
|
4,916 |
|
|
|
21,582 |
|
|
|
4,916 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Sandra H. Fried Trustee Sandra H. Fried Trust U/I/T DTD 7/25/96, as amended |
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
SBS Investors LLC |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Stephen T. McDonald |
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
The Ospraie Portfolio Ltd. |
|
|
166,666 |
|
|
|
33,333 |
|
|
|
166,666 |
|
|
|
33,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Thomas E. Lauerman Trustee, Thomas E. Lauerman Revocable Trust U/T/I Dated October 30,
2000 , as amended |
|
|
166,666 |
|
|
|
33,333 |
|
|
|
166,666 |
|
|
|
33,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Thomas M. Cray R Revocable Trust Dtd 10/9/00, Thomas M. Cray Trustee |
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
TJ Holdings LP |
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Watford Interests, Ltd. |
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
4,250 |
|
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
4,250 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
WF Partners, LP |
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
20,832 |
|
|
|
4,166 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
William Reisler |
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Zachary A. Hamel |
|
|
5,583 |
|
|
|
416 |
|
|
|
2,083 |
|
|
|
416 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
3,975,323 |
|
|
|
946,254 |
|
|
|
3,948,991 |
|
|
|
946,254 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
less than 1% |
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants. |
94
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the common shares and warrants on behalf of the selling holders.
Under this prospectus, the selling holders intend to offer our securities to the public:
|
|
|
through one or more broker-dealers; |
|
|
|
|
through underwriters; or |
|
|
|
|
directly to investors. |
The selling holders may price the common shares and warrants offered from time to time:
|
|
|
at fixed prices; |
|
|
|
|
at market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement; |
|
|
|
|
at prices related to prevailing market prices; |
|
|
|
|
varying prices determined at the time of sale; or |
|
|
|
|
at negotiated prices. |
We will pay the costs and expenses of the registration and offering of the common shares and
warrants offered hereby. We will not pay any underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions
allocable to each selling holders sale of its respective common shares and warrants, which will be
paid by the selling holders. Broker-dealers may act as agent or may purchase securities as
principal and thereafter resell the securities from time to time:
|
|
|
in or through one or more transactions (which may involve crosses and block transactions) or distributions; |
|
|
|
|
on the New York Stock Exchange or such other national exchange on which our common shares are listed at such time; |
|
|
|
|
through the writing of options; |
|
|
|
|
in the over-the-counter market; or |
|
|
|
|
in private transactions. |
Broker-dealers or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts
or commissions and may receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act
as agents. If any broker-dealer purchases the securities as principal, it may affect resales of the
securities from time to time to or through other broker-dealers, and other broker-dealers may
receive compensation in the form of concessions or commissions from the purchasers of securities
for whom they may act as agents.
To the extent required, the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any, as well as other important information, will be set forth in prospectus supplements. In that
event, the discounts and commissions the selling holders will allow or pay to the underwriters, if
any, and the discounts and commissions the underwriters may allow or pay to dealers or agents, if
any, will be set forth in, or may be calculated from, the prospectus supplements. Any underwriters,
brokers, dealers and agents who participate in any sale of the securities may also engage in
transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their
businesses.
In addition, the selling holders have advised us that they may sell common shares and warrants
in compliance with Rule 144, if available, or pursuant to other available exemptions from the
registration requirements under the Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
95
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to
describe a specific plan of distribution.
In connection with offerings under this shelf registration and in compliance with applicable
law, underwriters, brokers or dealers may engage in transactions which stabilize or maintain the
market price of the securities at levels above those which might otherwise prevail in the open
market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings,
creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a
syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokers or
dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market.
Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate
members or other brokers or dealers for distribution the securities in offerings may be reclaimed
by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to
cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize,
maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price
that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any
time.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
__________, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, serves as our independent
registered public accounting firm. _________ will provide audit and audit-related services,
tax return preparation and assistance and consultation in connection with review of our filings
with the SEC.
ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Pursuant to an Administration Agreement between us and our Advisor, we have engaged our
Advisor to perform (or oversee or arrange for the performance of) the administrative services
necessary for our operation, including without limitation providing us with equipment, clerical,
book keeping and record keeping services. For these services we pay our Advisor a fee equal to
equal to 0.07% of our aggregate average daily Managed Assets up to and including $150 million,
0.06% of our aggregate average daily Managed Assets on the next $100 million, 0.05% of our
aggregate average daily Managed Assets on the next $250 million and 0.02% on the balance of our
aggregate average daily Managed Assets. The address of the administrator is 10801 Mastin Boulevard,
Suite 222 Overland Park, Kansas 66210. Our securities and other assets are held under a custody
agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, 1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee,
WI 53212. The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is Computershare Investor
Services, LLC, 250 Royal Street, MS 3B, Canton, MA 02021. Computershare Trust Company, Inc., 250
Royal Street, MS 3B, Canton, MA 02021, serves as our dividend paying agent and Plan Agent for our
Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for
us by Blackwell Sanders LLP, Kansas City, Missouri. Certain matters of Maryland law
will be passed upon by Venable LLP.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments
and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to our common shares offered by this
prospectus. The registration statement contains additional information about us and our common
shares being offered by this prospectus.
We file
with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy
statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and the related exhibits and
schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC which are available on the
SECs Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these reports, proxy and information
statements and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic
request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SECs Public
Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
96
Through
and including ________, 2008 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all
dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering,
may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers obligation to deliver
a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or
subscriptions.
Tortoise Capital Resources Corporation
3,002,737 Shares of Common Stock
946,254 Warrants to Purchase Shares of Common Stock
946,254 Shares of Common Stock Issuable upon Exercise of the Warrants
PROSPECTUS
________, 2008
Part C Other Information
Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
1. Financial Statements:
The Registrants audited financial statements dated November 30, 2007 and notes thereto are filed herein.
2. Exhibits:
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Description of Document |
a.1.
|
|
Articles of Incorporation(1) |
|
|
|
a.2.
|
|
Articles Supplementary(3) |
|
|
|
b.
|
|
Bylaws(1) |
|
|
|
c.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
d.
|
|
Form of Stock Certificate(3) |
|
|
|
d.1.
|
|
Form of Warrant(3) |
|
|
|
e.
|
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan(4) |
|
|
|
f.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
g.1.
|
|
Investment Advisory Agreement with
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. dated January 1, 2007(3) |
|
|
|
g.2.
|
|
Sub-Advisory Agreement with Kenmont
Investments Management, L.P. dated January 1, 2007(3) |
|
|
|
h.
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement(5) |
|
|
|
i.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
j.
|
|
Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank
National Association dated September 13, 2005(1) |
|
|
|
k.1.
|
|
Stock Transfer Agency Agreement
with Computershare Investor Services, LLC dated September 13,
2005(1) |
|
|
|
k.2.
|
|
Administration Agreement with
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. dated November 14, 2006(3) |
|
|
|
k.3.
|
|
Warrant Agreement with
Computershare Investor Services, LLC as Warrant Agent dated
December 8, 2005(1) |
|
|
|
k.4.
|
|
Registration Rights Agreements with Merrill Lynch & Co; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated dated
January 9, 2006(1) |
|
|
|
k.4.1
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated
April 2007(7) |
|
|
|
k.5.
|
|
Credit Agreement dated
April 23, 2007(6) |
|
|
|
k.5.1 |
|
First Amendment to credit Agreement
dated July 18, 2007(7) |
|
|
|
k.5.2 |
|
Second Amendment to credit Agreement
dated September 28, 2007(8) |
|
|
|
k.6
|
|
Security Agreement dated
April 23, 2007(6) |
|
|
|
k.7.
|
|
Purchase Agreement dated
December 22, 2006(3) |
|
|
|
k.8.
|
|
Purchase Agreement dated
December 22, 2006(3) |
|
|
|
k.9.
|
|
Form of Warrant dated
December 2006(3) |
|
|
|
k.10. |
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated
April 2007(9) |
|
|
|
k.11. |
|
Expense Reimbursement and Partial Fee
Waiver Agreement dated as of November 30, 2007(10) |
|
|
|
l.
|
|
Opinion of Venable LLP(*) |
|
|
|
m.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
n.
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm(*) |
|
|
|
o.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
p.1.
|
|
Form of Investment Representation, Transfer and Market Stand-Off Agreement(1) |
|
|
|
p.2.
|
|
Form of Subscription Agreement(1) |
|
|
|
q.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
r.1.
|
|
Code of Ethics of the Company(3) |
|
|
|
r.2.
|
|
Code of Ethics of the Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C.(1) |
C-1
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
To be filed by amendment. |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2, filed August
28, 2006 (File No. 333-136923). |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants Registration
Statement on Form N-2, filed November 9, 2006 (File No. 333-136923). |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrants Registration
Statement on Form N-2, filed January 9, 2007 (File No. 333-136923). |
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrants
quarterly report on Form 10-Q, filed October 12, 2007 (File No.
001-33292). |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrants Registration
Statement on Form N-2, filed January 24, 2007 (File No. 333-136923). |
|
|
|
(6) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants current report on Form 8-K, filed April 27, 2007. |
|
|
|
(7) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrants current report on Form 8-K filed on July 20, 2007. |
|
|
|
(8) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrants current report on Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2007. |
|
|
|
(9) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form
N-2, filed July 2, 2007 (File No. 333-142859) |
|
|
|
(10) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrants current report on Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2007. |
|
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
Reference is made to the underwriting agreement as Exhibit h.1. hereto.
Item 27. Other Expenses and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the
offering described in this Registration Statement:
|
|
|
|
|
NASD filing fee |
|
|
|
|
Securities and Exchange Commission fees |
|
$ |
2,277 |
|
New York Stock Exchange listing fee |
|
$ |
|
|
Directors fees and expenses |
|
$ |
|
|
Accounting fees and expenses |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
Legal fees and expenses |
|
$ |
65,000 |
|
Printing expenses |
|
$ |
3,500 |
|
Transfer Agents fees |
|
$ |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
|
$ |
3,523 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
89,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
To be filed by amendment |
Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control
The Company owns 100% of the ownership interests of Mowood, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company whose sole asset is a wholly-owned operating company, Omega Pipeline, LLC, also a Delaware
limited liability company.
Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities
As of January 31, 2008, the number of record holders of each class of securities of the Registrant
was:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
Title of Class |
|
Record Holders |
Common Stock ($0.001 par value) |
|
|
24 |
|
Warrants |
|
|
104 |
|
C-2
Item 30. Indemnification
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the
liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages
except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money,
property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty which is established by a final
judgment as being material to the cause of action. The Charter contains such a provision which
eliminates directors and officers liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and
the 1940 Act.
The Charter authorizes the Company, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the
1940 Act, to obligate itself to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any
individual who, while a director or officer of the Company and at the request of the Company,
serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from
and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may
incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer of the Company or
as a present or former director, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, real estate
investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, and
to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding.
The Bylaws obligate the Company, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act,
to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director of
the Company and at the request of the Company, serves or has served another corporation, real
estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made, or threatened to be made, a
party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity from and against any claim
or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of
his or her status as a present or former director or officer of the Company and to pay or reimburse
his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Charter and
Bylaws also permit the Company to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a
predecessor of the Company in any of the capacities described above and any employee or agent of
the Company or a predecessor of the Company.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the
Companys Charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the
defense of any proceeding to which he is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his
service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former
directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and
reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may
be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities
unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to
the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result
of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper
personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the
director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However,
under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by
or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal
benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only
for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a
director or officer upon the corporations receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or
officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or on his behalf to repay
the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard
of conduct was not met.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor
Not applicable.
C-3
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
All such accounts, books, and other documents are maintained at the offices of the Registrant,
at the offices of the Registrants investment adviser, Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C., 10801
Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210, at the offices of the custodian, U.S.
Bank National Association, 1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, WI 53202, at the
offices of the transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services, LLC, 250 Royall Street MS 3B,
Canton, MA 02021 or at the offices of the administrator Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C., 10801
Mastin Boulevard, Suite 222, Overland Park, Kansas 66210.
Item 33. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 34. Undertakings
1. The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of the common shares until the Prospectus
is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset
value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the
registration statement or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net
proceeds as state in the Prospectus.
2. Not applicable.
3. Not applicable.
4. (a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
(1) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration
statement; and
(3) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in
the registration statement.
(b) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(c) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
5. The Registrant is filing this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the 1933
Act and undertakes that: (a) for the purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, the
information omitted from the form of Prospectus filed as part of a registration statement in
reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of Prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule
497(h) under the 1933 Act shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the time
it was declared effective; (b) for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act,
each post-effective amendment that contains a form of Prospectus shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
6. Not applicable.
7. Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the Act) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
C-4
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
C-5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused
this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in this City of Overland Park and State of Kansas on the
21st day of February, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tortoise Capital Resources Corporation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ David J. Schulte |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David J. Schulte, |
|
|
|
|
President & CEO |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Terry C. Matlack
Terry C. Matlack
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
|
February 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ David J. Schulte
David J. Schulte
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
February 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Conrad S. Ciccotello*
Conrad S. Ciccotello
|
|
Director
|
|
February 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ John R. Graham*
John R. Graham
|
|
Director
|
|
February 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Charles E. Heath*
Charles E. Heath
|
|
Director
|
|
February 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ H. Kevin Birzer*
H. Kevin Birzer
|
|
Director
|
|
February 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
* |
|
By David J. Schulte pursuant to power of attorney filed on August 28, 2006 with the
Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-136923). |
C-6
Exhibit Index
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Description of Document |
a.1.
|
|
Articles of Incorporation(1) |
|
|
|
a.2.
|
|
Articles Supplementary(3) |
|
|
|
b.
|
|
Bylaws(1) |
|
|
|
c.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
d.
|
|
Form of Stock Certificate(3) |
|
|
|
d.1.
|
|
Form of Warrant(3) |
|
|
|
|
e.
|
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan(4) |
|
|
|
|
f.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
g.1.
|
|
Investment Advisory Agreement with
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. dated January 1, 2007(3) |
|
|
|
g.2.
|
|
Sub-Advisory Agreement with Kenmont
Investments Management, L.P. dated January 1, 2007(3) |
|
|
|
h.
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement(5) |
|
|
|
i.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
j.
|
|
Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank
National Association dated September 13, 2005(1) |
|
|
|
k.1.
|
|
Stock Transfer Agency Agreement
with Computershare Investor Services, LLC dated September 13,
2005(1) |
|
|
|
k.2.
|
|
Administration Agreement with
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. dated November 14, 2006(3) |
|
|
|
k.3.
|
|
Warrant Agreement with
Computershare Investor Services, LLC as Warrant Agent dated
December 8, 2005(1) |
|
|
|
k.4.
|
|
Registration Rights Agreements with Merrill Lynch & Co; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated dated
January 9, 2006(1) |
|
|
|
k.4.1
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated
April 2007(7) |
|
|
|
k.5.
|
|
Credit Agreement dated
April 23, 2007(6) |
|
|
|
k.5.1 |
|
First Amendment to credit Agreement
dated July 18, 2007(7) |
|
|
|
k.5.2 |
|
Second Amendment to credit Agreement
dated September 28, 2007(8) |
|
|
|
k.6
|
|
Security Agreement dated
April 23, 2007(6) |
|
|
|
k.7.
|
|
Purchase Agreement dated
December 22, 2006(3) |
|
|
|
k.8.
|
|
Purchase Agreement dated
December 22, 2006(3) |
|
|
|
k.9.
|
|
Form of Warrant dated
December 2006(3) |
|
|
|
|
k.10.
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated
April 2007(9) |
|
|
|
k.11. |
|
Expense Reimbursement and Partial Fee
Waiver Agreement dated as of November 30, 2007(10) |
|
|
|
|
|
l.
|
|
Opinion of Venable LLP(*) |
|
|
|
|
m.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
|
n.
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm(*) |
|
|
|
|
o.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
p.1.
|
|
Form of Investment Representation, Transfer and Market Stand-Off Agreement(1) |
|
|
|
p.2.
|
|
Form of Subscription Agreement(1) |
|
|
|
q.
|
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
r.1.
|
|
Code of Ethics of the Company(3) |
|
|
|
r.2.
|
|
Code of Ethics of the Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C.(1) |
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
To be filed by amendment. |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2, filed
August 28, 2006 (File No. 333-136923). |
|
C-7
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants Registration
Statement on Form N-2, filed November 9, 2006 (File No. 333-136923). |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrants Registration
Statement on Form N-2, filed January 9, 2007 (File No. 333-136923). |
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrants
quarterly report on Form 10-Q, filed October 12, 2007 (File No.
001-33292). |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrants Registration
Statement on Form N-2, filed January 24, 2007 (File No. 333-136923). |
|
|
|
(6) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants current report on Form 8-K, filed April 27,
2007. |
|
|
|
|
|
(7) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrants current report on Form 8-K filed on July 20, 2007. |
|
|
|
(8) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrants current report on Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2007. |
|
|
|
(9) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form
N-2, filed July 2, 2007 (File No. 333-142859) |
|
|
|
(10) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrants current report on Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2007. |
|
C-8