SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION STATEMENT
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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| ☐ |
Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-11(c) or § 240.14a-12
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Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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No fee required
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
225 East Mason Street, Suite 802
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3657
NOTICE OF 2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To the Shareholders of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Meeting”) of the Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (“Fund”) will be held at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 N. Broadway Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 9:00 A.M. local time for the following purposes:
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To elect two (2) directors, each for a 3-year term. To ratify the selection of Plante & Moran, PLLC as independent registered public accountants of the Fund for the calendar year ending December 31, 2017; and
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To act upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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The Board of Directors (“Board”) has fixed the close of business on February 24, 2017, as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
You are cordially invited to attend the Meeting. If you do not expect to attend the Meeting in person, please complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy form and return it promptly in the envelope provided. The enclosed proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of the Fund.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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David C. Sims, Secretary
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March 8, 2017
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Please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy and mail it as promptly as possible. If you attend the meeting and vote in person, the proxy will not be used.
EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3657
Proxy Statement
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
April 20, 2017
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Fund”), to be voted at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Meeting”), to be held at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 North Broadway Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, at 9:00 A.M. local time on Thursday, April 20, 2017. The approximate mailing date of this Proxy Statement is March 8, 2017.
All properly executed proxies received prior to the Meeting will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions marked thereon or otherwise as provided therein. Unless instructions to the contrary are marked, proxies will be voted “FOR” the election of two directors to 3-year terms as described in this Proxy Statement (Proposal 1) and “FOR” the ratification of the independent registered public accountants (Proposal 2). Any shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by filing a later dated proxy with us, by attending the meeting and voting in person, or by notifying us of the revocation in writing to our Secretary at 225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-3657.
The Fund’s Board has fixed the close of business on February 24, 2017, as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting, and at any adjournment thereof. Shareholders on the record date will be entitled to one vote for each share held, with no shares having cumulative voting rights. As of February 24, 2017, the Fund had outstanding 3,588,977 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”). One-third of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, present or represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum. For purposes of a quorum, abstentions and broker non-votes are included. A quorum must exist to conduct business at the Meeting. A “broker non-vote” occurs when you own shares through a bank or broker in “street” name and you fail to provide your bank or broker with voting instructions and the bank or broker does not have the discretionary authority to vote your shares on a particular proposal. A broker non-vote may also occur if your broker fails to vote your shares for any reason.
Brokers, banks and other nominees are not permitted to vote on the election of directors without specific instructions from the beneficial owner. Therefore, if your shares are held through a broker, bank or other nominee, they will not be voted in the election of directors unless you affirmatively vote your shares in one of the ways described below. If you are a beneficial owner, your broker, bank or other nominee is permitted to vote your shares on the ratification of Plante & Moran, PLLC as the Fund’s independent registered public accountants even if the broker, bank or other nominee does not receive specific voting instructions from you.
Under the NYSE’s Proxy Rules, NYSE member organizations may vote discretionarily on all matters to be acted upon at this Meeting. This is based upon the assumption that no contest will arise as to any of the matters being considered and beneficial owners are advised as to this discretionary action.
The Fund will pay all the expenses of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing the material used in the solicitation of proxies by the Board. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mails, our officers may solicit proxies on behalf of the Board, by telephone, telegram or personal interview, and the Fund will bear these expenses. The Fund may arrange with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of Fund shares, and the Fund will pay or reimburse these expenses.
The Board knows of no business, other than as identified in Proposals 1 and 2 of the Notice of Meeting, which will be presented for consideration at the Meeting. If any other matter is properly presented, the persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote in their discretion.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 9:00 A.M. local time at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 North Broadway, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. Our Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, form of proxy card and annual report are available at
http://www.eaglecapitalgrowthfund.com/proxy
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
To the knowledge of the Fund, as of February 24, 2017, set forth below are the number of shares of the Common Stock, beneficially owned by each officer, director and nominee, and by all directors, nominees and officers of the Fund as a group. The address of each is the address of the Fund.
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Name and Address (a)
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Number of Shares and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership as of
February 24, 2017 (b)
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Percent
of Class
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Robert M. Bilkie, Jr., Chairman, Director and and Nominee for Director
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1,764
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*
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Phillip J. Hanrahan, Director, and Nominee for Director
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900
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*
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Carl A. Holth, Director
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5,364
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0.1%
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Peggy L. Schmeltz, Director
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52,317
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1.5%
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David C. Sims, CFO, CCO, Treasurer, Secretary and Director
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86,616
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2.4%
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Luke E. Sims, President, CEO, Director
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323,856
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9.0%
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Donald G. Tyler, Director
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4,100
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0.1%
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Neal F. Zalenko, Director
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4,459
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0.1%
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All Directors, Nominees and Officers as a group (8 persons)
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479,376
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13.4%
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* Less than 0.1%
(a)
The address of each is the address of the principal executive office of the Fund, 225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-3657.
(b)
The nature of beneficial ownership of shares shown in this column is sole voting and investment power unless otherwise indicated. The shares shown by Mr. Bilkie include 1,764 shares owned by his wife. The shares shown for Luke E. Sims include 11,389 shares beneficially owned by his wife (of which he disclaims beneficial ownership). The shares shown for David C. Sims include 6,227 shares beneficially owned by his wife (of which he disclaims beneficial ownership). Luke E. Sims and David C. Sims are the principals of Sims Capital Management LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor; both disclaim any beneficial ownership of the 153,921 Fund shares held as of February 24, 2017, in client accounts in a fiduciary capacity.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR GREATER BENEFICIAL OWNERS
To the knowledge of the Fund, as of February 24, 2017, the only person owning more than five percent (5%) of the class of Common Stock was Luke E. Sims, a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund. Mr. Luke E. Sims’ beneficial ownership is described in the table immediately above.
PROPOSAL NO. 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Two (2) Class I directors will be elected at the Meeting for 3-year terms, and until their successors are elected and qualified. The Board is divided into three classes (Class I, Class II, and Class III). The Class I directors, Messrs. Robert M. Bilkie, Jr and Phillip J. Hanrahan, are up for reelection at the Meeting.
Unless authorization to do so is withheld, proxies will be voted for the election of the nominees named below. Each nominee has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to continue to serve as a director if elected. Directors will be elected by a plurality of votes cast at the Meeting. Thus, assuming the presence of a quorum, those nominees for election as director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected, regardless of the number of votes which for any reason, including abstentions, broker non-votes or withholding of authority to vote, are not cast for the election of such nominee. If any nominee becomes unavailable for election, an event not now anticipated by the Board, the proxies may be voted for such other nominee as may be designated by the Board.
Listed below are all nominees and their backgrounds. An “interested person” of the Fund (“Interested Person”) is a person who is an Interested Person of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a) (19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. No nominee for director is an Interested Person.
INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUING DIRECTORS
Set forth below is information with respect to those Fund directors who are continuing in office:
Continuing Directors Who Are Interested Persons
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Name, Address
and Age*
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Position(s)
Held with Fund
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Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past
5 Years (in addition to positions held
in the Fund)
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Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen by Director
or Nominee for
Director**
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Other
Directorships
Held by
Director or
Nominee for
Director
(Public
Companies)
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Luke E. Sims, age 67 ***
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Director
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Term of office expires 2019 (Class III); nominee for director. Served as a director since 2002.
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President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund; Chairman of Sims Capital Management LLC (the Advisor to the Fund); and Retired Partner of Foley & Lardner LLP (national law firm) where he was affiliated from 1976 through 2010.
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One
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None
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David C. Sims, age 35
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CFO, CCO, Treasurer, Secretary and Director
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Term of office expires 2018 (Class II). Served as a director since 2015.
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President of Sims Capital Management LLC (investment advisor to the Fund); Manager of Peregrine Investment Fund LLC (private investment fund); and roles with the Fund as previously identified.
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One
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None
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*The address each is of the principal executive office of the Fund. Luke E. Sims is an Interested Person because he is a Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, and a significant owner of the Fund’s Common Stock, and he is affiliated with the Fund’s investment advisor, Sims Capital Management LLC. David C. Sims is an Interested Person because he is a director and the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Fund, and he is affiliated with the Fund’s investment advisor, Sims Capital Management LLC (the “Advisor” or “SCM”). David C. Sims is the son of Luke E. Sims.
** Sims Capital Management LLC, the Fund’s advisor, serves as the investment advisor to two mutual funds, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE MKT: GRF), a closed-end fund, and Sims Total Return Fund, Inc. (SIMFX), an open-end fund.
Continuing Directors Who Are Not Interested Persons
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Name, Address and
Age*
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Position(s)
Held with Fund
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Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past
Five Years
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Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen by Director
or Nominee for
Director**
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Other
Directorships
Held by
Director or
Nominee for
Director
(Public
Companies)
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Carl A. Holth, age 84
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Director
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Term of office expires 2018 (Class II). Served as a director since 1989.
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Retired.
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One
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None
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Peggy L. Schmeltz, age 89
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Director
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Term of office expires 2018 (Class II). Served as a director since 1989.
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Retired; Former Trustee of National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC).
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One
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None
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Donald G. Tyler, age 64
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Director
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Term of office expires 2019 (Class III); nominee for director. Served as a director since 2010.
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Director of Administrative Services, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin 2012 to 2014; Retired Interim President & Executive Director, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, 2010; Vice President of Investment Products and Services, Northwestern Mutual, 2003-2010.
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One
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None
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Neal F. Zalenko, age 71
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Director
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Term of office expires 2019 (Class III); nominee for director. Served as director since 2008.
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Retired; Founder and Managing Partner of Zalenko & Associates, P.C. (accounting firm), that merged with Baker Tilly in early 2005.
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One
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None
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* The address of each is the address of the principal executive office of the Fund, 225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-3657.
** Sims Capital Management LLC, the Fund’s advisor, serves as the investment advisor to two mutual funds, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE MKT: GRF), a closed-end fund, and Sims Total Return Fund, Inc. (SIMFX), an open-end fund.
Nominees For Director
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Name, Address
and Age*
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Position(s)
Held with
Fund
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Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
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Principal Occupation(s) During
Past Five Years
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Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Director or
Nominee for
Director**
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Other
Directorships
Held by
Director or
Nominee for
Director
(Public
Companies)
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Robert M. Bilkie, Jr., age 56
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Chairman; Director
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Term of office expires 2017 (Class I). Served as a director since 2006.
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President and Chief Executive Officer of Sigma Investment Counselors, Inc. (a registered investment advisor) since 1987; member of the NAIC/Better Investing Securities Review Committee and of the NAIC/Better Investing Editorial Advisory Committee (non-remunerative).
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One
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None
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||||||
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Phillip J. Hanrahan, age 77
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Director
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Term of office expires 2017 (Class I). Served as a director since 2008.
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Retired partner of Foley & Lardner LLP (law firm) since February 2007 and, prior to that, active partner of that firm since 1973.
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One
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None
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* The address of each is the address of the principal executive office of the Fund, 225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-3657.
** Sims Capital Management LLC, the Fund’s advisor, serves as the investment advisor to two mutual funds, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE MKT: GRF), a closed-end fund, and Sims Total Return Fund, Inc. (SIMFX), an open-end fund.
Nominee and Director Qualifications
The Fund believes that Warren Buffett and Charles Munger of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. have succinctly identified the key qualifications for corporate directors and nominees for director:
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High integrity;
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Business savvy;
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| 3. |
A shareholder orientation; and
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| 4. |
A genuine interest in the company.
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We believe that all of our nominees and continuing directors satisfy these requirements. In addition, the Board concluded that the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills of the nominees, set forth below, qualify the nominees to serve as directors of the Fund in light of the Fund’s business and structure.
Nominees:
Class I
(for 3-year term expiring in 2020)
Mr. Bilkie is an investment advisor. His full-time business is focused on investing. In addition to Mr. Bilkie’s analytical and other investing skills, he enjoys a long history with the Fund, having served as a director from the time the Fund commenced operations in 1990 through the mid-90s. Mr. Bilkie rejoined the Board in 2006. Mr. Bilkie has longstanding ties to the National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC), whose mission is investor education and the formation and growth of investment clubs.
Mr. Hanrahan is a Harvard Law School graduate who spent over 40 years as a corporate lawyer, including a specialization in representing investment advisors and investment companies. Mr. Hanrahan has extensive experience with publicly-traded companies as well, and served for many years as a director of a major NYSE-traded company. Mr. Hanrahan is also an experienced investor.
Continuing Directors:
Class II (term expiring in 2018)
Mr. Holth worked in the banking/financial field and retired after a long and varied career. In addition to his service as a director of the Fund, Mr. Holth has also served as a director of other for-profit companies. Mr. Holth is also an experienced investor.
Ms. Schmeltz’s background is in education, and her long-term service and involvement with the National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC), and its investing and educational mission, fits in well with the Fund’s history and goals. Given that a significant number of the Fund’s shareholders enjoy historic ties to the NAIC and its investment philosophy, Ms. Schmeltz is well-positioned to comment and advise the Fund, particularly with respect to the shareholder’s perspective on the Fund. Ms. Schmeltz is an experienced long-term investor, with a personal investment strategy and philosophy similar to the Fund.
Mr. David Sims is the Fund’s co-manager, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), Treasurer and Secretary of the Fund. He has been extensively involved with the Fund, its portfolio and its operations since 2007. Mr. Sims is the President of Sims Capital Management LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor that is the Advisor to the Fund. Mr. Sims is an experienced investor.
Class III (term expiring in 2019)
Mr. Luke E. Sims is an experienced investor (39 plus years) and an experienced corporate lawyer (34 years), including extensive work with publicly-traded companies, securities law matters, mergers and acquisitions and corporate law generally. Mr. Sims also spent 25 years as a director of LaCrosse Footwear, Inc., a publicly-traded company. Mr. Sims is also a director of several privately-held companies. Mr. Sims is the Chairman of Sims Capital Management LLC, the Advisor to the Fund.
Mr. Tyler has over 27 years’ experience in the mutual fund industry in a variety of roles, particularly in the marketing and distribution of mutual funds. Mr. Tyler retired from his position as Director of Administrative Services of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin at the end of 2014; in such role Mr. Tyler oversaw a budget in excess of $1.3 billion. Mr. Tyler retired in 2010 from his position as Vice President of Investment Products and Services at Northwestern Mutual (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Mr. Tyler’s extensive experience and knowledge of the mutual fund industry is valuable to the Fund.
Mr. Zalenko is a certified public accountant. He spent many years practicing public accounting, growing his own firm until 2005 when it merged with Virchow Krause & Company (now known as Baker Tilly). Although Mr. Zalenko is no longer associated with that surviving accounting firm, he continues to remain active as a business advisor and consultant. Mr. Zalenko has many decades of experience providing professional, practical and critical advice to clients. Mr. Zalenko’s background as a certified public accountant is one of the reasons he was selected to serve as Chairman of the Fund’s Audit Committee.
The Fund does not have a diversity policy for its Board members, based upon gender, race or similar physical characteristics because those characteristics are not necessarily relevant to the traits that the Fund looks for in its directors. The Fund considers a person’s experience, qualifications, skills, and attributes generally, including, but not limited to, a person’s professional, academic, and business background.
As noted elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, the non-executive position of Chairman and the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) are held by different individuals. The Chairman of the Board is not an Interested Person. The Fund believes that the separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles provides constructive checks and balances for shareholders of the Fund.
Dollar Range of Common Stock Owned by Nominees and Continuing Directors
The following tables set forth the dollar range of the Fund’s Common Stock which is the Fund’s only equity security, beneficially owned by each director and nominee, valued at a price per share of $7.32, the closing price on the NYSE MKT on February 24, 2017.
Continuing Directors and Nominees Who Are Interested Persons
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Name of Continuing Director or
Nominee
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Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the
Fund
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Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in All Funds Overseen or to
be Overseen by Director or Nominee in
Family of Investment Companies*
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|||
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David C. Sims (Continuing Director)
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Over $100,000
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Over $100,000
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|||
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Luke E. Sims (Continuing Director)
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Over $100,000
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Over $100,000
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*
Sims Capital Management LLC, the Fund’s advisor, serves as the investment advisor to two mutual funds, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE MKT: GRF), a closed-end fund, and Sims Total Return Fund, Inc. (SIMFX), an open-end fund.
Continuing Directors and Nominees Who Are Not Interested Persons
|
Name of Continuing Director or
Nominee
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the
Fund
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in All Funds Overseen or to be
Overseen by Director or Nominee in
Family of Investment Companies*
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|||
|
Robert M. Bilkie, Jr. (Nominee)
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$10,001-$50,000
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$10,001-$50,000
|
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Phillip J. Hanrahan (Nominee)
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$1-$10,000
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$1-$10,000
|
|||
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Carl A. Holth (Continuing Director)
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$10,001-$50,000
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$10,001-$50,000
|
|||
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Peggy L. Schmeltz (Continuing Director)
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Over $100,000
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Over $100,000
|
|||
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Donald G. Tyler (Continuing Director)
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$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
|||
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Neal F. Zalenko (Continuing Director)
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$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
*
Sims Capital Management LLC, the Fund’s advisor, serves as the investment advisor to two mutual funds, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE MKT: GRF), a closed-end fund, and Sims Total Return Fund, Inc. (SIMFX), an open-end fund.
Compensation
No Fund officer receives compensation from the Fund for service as an officer. David C. Sims, the Fund's Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, is compensated for his services to the Fund by Sims Capital Management LLC (the "Advisor"), the Fund's investment advisor. Luke E. Sims, the Fund’s President and Chief Executive Officer, receives no compensation from the Fund for his service as an officer.
The following tables identify the aggregate compensation paid to all directors and nominees in 2016. Director fees are only payable to directors who are not officers of the Fund or affiliated with the Advisor. During 2016, each director received an annual retainer of $10,000, plus $500 for each meeting of a Board committee. For 2017, Fund directors who are entitled to receive directors’ fees will receive an annual retainer of $10,000, paid quarterly, together with $1,000, paid quarterly, for service on the Audit Committee.
Continuing Directors and Nominees Who Are Interested Persons
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Name of Person,
Position
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Aggregate
Compensation from
Fund
|
Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued as
Part of Fund Expenses
|
Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
|
Total Compensation
From Fund and Fund
Complex Paid to
Directors*
|
||||||||
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David C. Sims, Director
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$
|
0
|
None
|
None
|
$
|
0
|
||||||
|
Luke E. Sims, Director
|
$
|
0
|
None
|
None
|
$
|
0
|
||||||
Continuing Directors and
Nominees Who Are Not Interested Persons
|
Name of Person,
Position
|
Aggregate
Compensation from
Fund
|
Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued as
Part of Fund Expenses
|
Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
|
Total Compensation
From Fund and Fund
Complex Paid to
Directors*
|
||||||||
|
Robert M. Bilkie, Jr. Director and Nominee
|
$
|
10,000
|
None
|
None
|
$
|
10,000
|
||||||
|
Phillip J. Hanrahan, Director and Nominee
|
$
|
11,000
|
None
|
None
|
$
|
11,000
|
||||||
|
Carl A. Holth, Director
|
$
|
11,000
|
None
|
None
|
$
|
11,000
|
||||||
|
Peggy L. Schmeltz, Director
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$
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10,000
|
None
|
None
|
$
|
10,000
|
||||||
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Donald G. Tyler, Director
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$
|
11,000
|
None
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None
|
$
|
11,000
|
||||||
|
Neal F. Zalenko, Director
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$
|
11,000
|
None
|
None
|
$
|
11,000
|
||||||
*
Sims Capital Management LLC, the Fund’s advisor, serves as the investment advisor to two mutual funds, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE MKT: GRF), a closed-end fund, and Sims Total Return Fund, Inc. (SIMFX), an open-end fund.
Board Meetings and Committees; Annual Meeting Attendance
The Board held three (3) meetings during 2016. Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and committees of the Board on which he or she served during 2016. The Fund has only one committee, the Audit Committee. The Fund has no nominating or compensation committees. The Board does not currently have a policy with regard to the attendance of directors at its annual meeting of shareholders. All of the directors attended the Fund’s 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, either in person or by telephone.
Shareholder Communications
Shareholders may send communications to the Board (to the attention of the Fund’s Secretary) at the Fund’s principal executive office. All shareholder communications shall be compiled by the Secretary and forwarded directly to the Board or the director as indicated in the letter. The Board reserves the right to revise this procedure in the event that it is abused or becomes unworkable.
Nominating Committee
The Board does not have a standing nominating committee or committee performing similar functions as the Board has determined, given its relatively small size, to perform this function as a whole. The Board does not currently have a charter or other written policy with regard to the nomination process, or a formal policy with respect to the consideration of director candidates. The nominations of the directors standing for reelection at the Meeting were approved by the Board. Messrs. Bilkie, Hanrahan, Holth, Tyler and Zalenko and Ms. Schmeltz are independent directors under the rules of the NYSE MKT LLC. Mr. Luke E. Sims, who is the Fund’s President and Chief Executive Officer, is an Interested Person and is not an independent director under the rules of the NYSE MKT LLC. Mr. David C. Sims, who is an officer of the Fund and a director of the Fund, is an Interested Person and is not an independent director under the rules of the NYSE MKT LLC.
Qualifications for consideration as a Board nominee may vary according to the particular areas of expertise being sought as a complement to the existing Board composition. In making its nominations, the Board considers relevant factors, including an individual’s business experience, breadth of knowledge about issues and matters affecting the Fund, time availability for meetings and consultation regarding Fund matters, and other particular skills and experience. The Board desires of candidates who possess the background, skills and expertise to make a significant contribution to the Board, the Fund and its shareholders. In the event of a need for a new or additional director, the Board will evaluate potential nominees by reviewing their qualifications, results of personal interviews and such other information as the Board may deem relevant.
The Fund does not employ an executive search, firm, or pay a fee to any other third party, to assist in identifying or evaluating potential qualified candidates for director. Since 1989, the Board has nominated the current directors for reelection at each annual meeting of shareholders, except that starting with the Fund’s 2013 annual meeting directors have been nominated and elected to staggered terms. Ms. Schmeltz and Mr. Holth have served as directors since 1989. Mr. Luke E. Sims has served as a director since 2002. Mr. Bilkie has served as a director since 2006, and previously served as a Fund director from July 1990 through May 1996. Messrs. Hanrahan and Zalenko have each served as directors since 2008. Mr. Tyler has served as director since 2010. Mr. David C. Sims has served as a director since 2015.
The Board has not established special procedures for shareholders to submit director recommendations. If the Secretary were to receive a recommendation of a candidate from a Fund shareholder, he would submit it to the Board, and the Board would consider such recommendations in the same manner as all other candidates.
Audit Committee; Risk Management
The Fund has an Audit Committee, established in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, comprised of Messrs. Zalenko (Chairman), Hanrahan, Holth and Tyler.
The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Fund’s independent accountants. Each of Messrs. Zalenko, Hanrahan, Holth and Tyler meets the requirements for independence set forth in the rules of the NYSE MKT LLC. The Fund’s Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The charter can be found on the Fund’s website at http://eaglecapitalgrowthfund.com under “Corporate Governance”. The Audit Committee reviews and considered the Audit Committee charter at least annually.
The Audit Committee met twice during 2016. The current members of the Audit Committee, Messrs. Zalenko, Hanrahan, Holth and Tyler meet the requirements for independence set forth in the rules of the NYSE MKT LLC. They are not Interested Persons of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Fund’s By-laws, the Chairman is a non-executive, non-officer position. Each of Messrs. Zalenko, Hanrahan, Holth and Tyler has been determined to be an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in SEC rules. A copy of the report of the Audit Committee is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Investment funds generally face a number of risks, including investment risk, compliance risk, and valuation risk. The Fund, as a diversified regulated investment company, doesn’t have any unique or unusual risks that it needs to manage. The Fund attempts to minimize risks. All of the Fund’s cash and securities are held by its independent custodian, Bank of America. Moreover, the Fund’s investments consist solely of marketable securities, and primarily large capitalization companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The Board as a whole receives reports about the Fund’s transactions and discusses such transactions with management and its investment advisor. At such meetings the Chief Compliance Officer reports to the Board about the Fund’s compliance status.
Investment Advisor
The Fund’s investment advisor is Sims Capital Management LLC. Luke E. Sims, a director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, and David C. Sims, a director, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Fund, are the managers of the Advisor. See “Continuing Directors Who Are Interested Persons” for more information about Luke E. Sims and David C. Sims, respectively. At the Fund’s 2007 annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholders approved the investment advisory agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and the Advisor. The Advisory Agreement has been mutually extended by the Fund and the Advisor through February 2018.
The Advisor’s address is the same as that of the principal executive office of the Fund. The Fund is one of the Advisor’s two institutional advisory clients. No other person provided any significant administrative or business affairs management services to the Fund during 2016. No continuing director or nominee for election as director, who is not an Interested Person, nor any of their immediate family members, is the record or beneficial owner of any securities in the Advisor or any of its affiliates.
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the election of the two (2) nominees, Messrs. Bilkie and Hanrahan, for the 3-year terms identified above.
PROPOSAL NO. 2 – SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Plante & Moran, PLLC, independent registered public accountants, has been selected by the Audit Committee to examine the Fund’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2017. Unless a contrary specification is made, the accompanying proxy will be voted in favor of ratifying the selection of such accountants. A majority vote of the shares cast is required to approve the ratification of the selection of accountants. Under Maryland law, abstentions do not constitute a vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” a matter and will be disregarded in determining the votes cast. Broker non-votes with respect to shares entitled to vote will have no effect on the vote on this proposal. Representatives of Plante & Moran, PLLC are expected to be available at the Meeting where they will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Audit Fees.
The Fund paid Plante & Moran, PLLC $16,000 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016, and $16,000 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015, for audit fees.
Audit-Related Fees.
The Fund did not pay Plante & Moran, PLLC any audit-related fees in either of the last two calendar years.
Tax Fees.
The Fund paid Plante & Moran, PLLC $5,500 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016, and $5,500 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015, for tax fees in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s tax returns and assistance with Internal Revenue Service notice and tax matters.
All Other Fees.
The Fund did not pay Plante & Moran, PLLC any other amounts in either of the last two calendar years.
“Audit fees” are fees paid by the Fund to Plante & Moran, PLLC for professional services for the audit of our financial statements, or for services that are usually provided by an auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements. “Audit-related fees” are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements. “Tax fees” are fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. All other Fund fees are fees billed for any services not included in the first three categories.
None of the services covered under the captions “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees,” and “All Other Fees” with respect to Plante & Moran, PLLC were provided under the
de minimis
exception to Audit Committee approval of 17 CFR 210.2-01(c) 7(i)(C) and (ii) Plante & Moran, PLLC was not engaged during the last two calendar years to provide non-audit services to the Fund or to the Advisor or any of its affiliates that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Other Non-Audit Services”). Under the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee must approve in advance all non-audit services of the Fund and all Other Non-Audit Services. The Audit Committee has not adopted “pre-approval policies and procedures” as such term is used in 17 CFR 210.2-01(c)(7)(i)(B) and (ii).
The Board recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the ratification of Plante & Moran, PLLC as the independent registered public accountants to examine the Fund’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2017.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Directors and officers of the Fund and certain of its affiliates and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Common Stock are required to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the Common Stock pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Fund has reviewed such reports received by it and written representations of such persons who are known by the Fund and, based solely upon such review, the Fund believes that, during the year ended December 31, 2016, all filings were timely filed. As of February 24, 2017, to the best of the Fund’s knowledge, all such filings are current.
PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Shareholder proposals for the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders must comply with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (including Rule 14a-8) and be received by the Fund at 225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-3657 before the close of business on November 18, 2017, for consideration for inclusion in the Fund’s proxy statement. Shareholder proposals should be addressed to the attention of the Fund’s Secretary.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Board is not aware of any other business that will be presented for action at the Meeting. If any other business properly comes before the Meeting, proxies received from shareholders will be voted at the discretion of the named individuals.
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By Order of the Board
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David C. Sims, Secretary
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March 8, 2017
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EXHIBIT A
REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE
February 22, 2017
To the Board of Directors of the Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.:
We have reviewed and discussed with management the Fund’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016.
We have discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA,
Professional Standards,
Vol. 1 AU Section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.
We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accountants required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and have discussed with the independent accountants the independent accountants’ independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, we recommend to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders required by Section 30(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 30d-1 thereunder for the year ended December 31, 2016, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Neal F. Zalenko, Chairman
Phillip J. Hanrahan, Member
Carl A. Holth, Member
Donald G. Tyler, Member
EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As an alternative to completing this form, you may enter your vote instruction via the Internet at WWW.VOTEPROXY.COM and follow the simple instructions. Use the Company Number and Account Number shown on your proxy card.
The undersigned hereby appoints ROBERT M. BILKIE, JR. and LUKE E. SIMS, jointly and severally, Proxies, with full power of substitution, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc., to be held at the offices of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 North Broadway Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 9:00 A.M. local time, and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of common stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote, and act with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present at the meeting.
This revocable proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned shareholder.
If no direction is made on an executed proxy, this proxy will be voted by the Proxies “FOR” the election of the two (2) persons named in Proposal 1 as nominees for directors for 3-year terms, and “FOR” Proposal 2.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL:
The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at-
http://www.eaglecapitalgrowthfund.com/proxy
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
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↓
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Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.
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↓
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS NAMED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND “FOR” PROPOSAL 2.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
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1.
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The election of the nominees listed below as Directors of the Fund to hold office for a three-year term, and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified:
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2.
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Ratification of the selection of Plante & Moran, PLLC as independent registered public accountants for the Fund’s year ending December 31, 2017. |
FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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NOMINEES:
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FOR ALL NOMINEES
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m Robert M. Bilkie, Jr. (Class I) | |||||||||
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
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m Phillip J. Hanrahan (Class I) | |||||||||
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FOR ALL NOMINEES
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FOR ALL EXCEPT
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3.
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In their discretion, for or against such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. | ||||||||
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INSTRUCTION
: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “
FOR ALL EXCEPT
” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:
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Unless otherwise directed herein, the proxy or proxies appointed hereby are authorized to vote “FOR” Proposals 1 and 2, and to vote in their discretion with respect to all other matters which may come before the Meeting.
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If only one of the above-named proxies shall be present in person or by substitute at the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, then that one, either in person or by substitute, may exercise all of the powers hereby given.
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Any proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote such shares are hereby revoked.
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To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.
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Date
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Date
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Signature of Shareholder
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Signature of Shareholder
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Note
: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
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