SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the Appropriate Box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12
EVERGREEN INCOME ADVANTAGE FUND
-------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary material
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
-------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
----
(3) Filing Party:
-----------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
-------------------------------------
EVERGREEN INCOME ADVANTAGE FUND
200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
____________________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
____________________
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS
OF EVERGREEN INCOME ADVANTAGE FUND
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Evergreen Income Advantage Fund (the “Fund”) will be held on August 12, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time, at the offices of Evergreen Investments, 26th Floor, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, for the following purposes:
1. To elect four Trustees to serve for the term indicated herein and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified; and
2. To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the Meeting.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 17, 2005 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting to the extent as described in the accompanying proxy statement.
It is hoped that you will attend the Meeting, but if you cannot do so, please complete and sign the enclosed proxy card, and return it in the accompanying envelope as promptly as possible. Any shareholder attending the Meeting can vote in person even though a proxy card may have already been returned.
By Order of the Board of Trustees
MICHAEL H. KOONCE
Secretary
June 29, 2005
EVERGREEN INCOME ADVANTAGE FUND
____________________
PROXY STATEMENT
____________________
This proxy statement and form of proxy were first sent to shareholders on or about June 29, 2005.
All proxies in the enclosed form which are properly executed and returned to the Fund will be voted as provided therein at the Meeting or at any adjournments thereof. A holder of either common or preferred shares (the “Shareholder”) executing and returning a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice of such revocation to an officer of the Fund. Signing and mailing the proxy will not affect your right to give a later proxy or to attend the Meeting and vote your common shares or preferred shares (the “Shares”) in person.
The Board of Trustees intends to bring before the Meeting the matter set forth in Proposal 1 in the foregoing notice. The persons named in the enclosed proxy card and acting thereunder will vote with respect to Proposal 1 in accordance with the directions of the Shareholders as specified on the proxy card; if no choice is specified, the Shares will be voted FOR the election of the trustees named in the enclosed proxy card. Shareholders holding common shares and preferred shares of the Fund may vote on the election of Messrs. Salton and Wagoner. Only shareholders holding preferred shares of the Fund may vote on the election of Messrs. Pettit and Richardson. If any other matters are properly presented at the Meeting for action, it is intended that the persons named in the enclosed proxy card and acting thereunder will vote in accordance with the views of management thereon. Abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e., Shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter) are counted for quorum purposes. The Fund’s Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) provides that the holders of thirty-three and a third percent (33 1/3%)of the Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting. With regard to the election of trustees, votes may be cast in favor or withheld; votes that are withheld will be excluded entirely from the vote and will have no effect.
The affirmative vote of a plurality of the Shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is required for the election of trustees (Proposal 1). With respect to the election of Messrs. Salton and Wagoner, the two nominees that receive the most affirmative votes cast at the Meeting by shareholders holding common shares and preferred shares will be elected as trustees. With respect to the election of Messrs. Pettit and Richardson, the two nominees that receive the most affirmative votes cast at the Meeting by shareholders holding preferred shares will be elected as trustees.
In the event a quorum is not present at the Meeting or in the event that a quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve the proposed item are not received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those Shares represented at such meeting in person or by proxy. The persons named as proxies will vote those proxies that they are entitled to vote FOR any such proposal, IN FAVOR of such an adjournment, and will vote those proxies required to be voted AGAINST any such proposal, AGAINST any such adjournment. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be voted on a motion to adjourn.
The Fund will bear the costs of preparing, printing and mailing this proxy statement, the proxies and any additional materials which may be furnished to Shareholders. Solicitation may be undertaken by mail, telephone, facsimile and personal contact. The Fund has engaged Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc. to solicit proxies from brokers, banks, other institutional holders and individual Shareholders for a fee of approximately $3500. This fee will be borne by the Fund. The Annual Report of the Fund will be mailed, along with this proxy statement, to all Shareholders on or about June 29, 2005.
Holders of record of the Fund’s Shares at the close of business on June 17, 2005 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof to the extent set forth in this proxy statement. As of June 17, 2005, the Fund had outstanding 67,172,575 common shares and 19,600 preferred shares. Each holder of common Shares or preferred Shares is entitled to one vote per common or preferred Share on the business of the Meeting for which they are entitled to vote.
To the knowledge of the Fund, there is no beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund.
As of June 17, 2005, the officers and Trustees of the Fund as a group beneficially owned in aggregate less than 1.00% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund and less than 1.00% of the outstanding securities of Wachovia Corporation (“Wachovia”), parent of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC (“EIMC”), the Fund’s investment advisor.
I. ELECTION OF TRUSTEES (Proposal 1)
In accordance with the Fund’s Declaration, the Trustees have been divided into three classes (each a “Class”): Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of the present Trustees in each Class expire at the annual meeting in the year indicated or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are elected and qualified: Class I, 2006, Class II, 2007 and Class III, 2005. At each subsequent annual meeting, successors to the Class of Trustees whose terms are expiring will be identified as being of that same Class and will be nominated for a three-year term. The effect of these staggered terms is to limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund by delaying the replacement of a majority of the Board of Trustees. If any nominee for any reason becomes unable to serve, the persons named as proxies will vote for the election of such other person or persons as they believe will carry on the present policies of the Fund and as they deem to be qualified. The Board of Trustees has no reason to believe that any of the four nominees will be unable to serve.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund proposes the following Trustees for election at the 2005 Meeting:
Trustee |
Class |
Expiration of Term if Elected |
William W. Pettit |
Class III |
2008 Annual Meeting |
David M. Richardson |
Class III |
2008 Annual Meeting |
Dr. Russell A. Salton, III |
Class III |
2008 Annual Meeting |
Richard K. Wagoner |
Class III |
2008 Annual Meeting |
As described above, there are four nominees for election to the Board of Trustees at this time. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the four nominees currently proposed to serve on the Board of Trustees.
The following table contains specific information about each Trustee and nominee, including: age, principal occupation and other affiliations for the last five years, term of office, length of time each has served any other directorships held outside the Fund and number of portfolios overseen by trustees. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each Trustee is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
Independent Trustees
Class III -- Nominees to serve until 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:
Name and Age |
Position Held with the Fund |
Length of Time Served1 |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
|
William Walt Pettit2,5,7 Age: 49 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
Vice President, Kellam & Pettit, P.A. (law firm); Director, Superior Packaging Corp.; Director, National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina, Inc.; Former Director, Mentor Income Fund, Inc.; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
|
David M. Richardson4,5,6 Age: 63 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
President, Richardson, Runden LLC (executive recruitment business development/consulting company); Consultant, Kennedy Information, Inc. (executive recruitment information and research company); Consultant, AESC (The Association of Executive Search Consultants); Director, J&M Cumming Paper Co. (paper merchandising); Former Trustee, NDI Technologies, LLP (communications); Former Vice Chairman, DHR International, Inc. (executive recruitment); Former Director, Mentor Income Fund, Inc.; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
|
Dr. Russell A. Salton, III3,4,7,8,9,10,11 Age: 58 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
President/CEO, AccessOne MedCard; Former Medical Director, Healthcare Resource Associates, Inc.; Former Medical Director, U.S. Health Care/Aetna Health Services; Former Director, Mentor Income Fund, Inc.; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
Interested Trustee:
Name and Age |
Position Held with the Fund |
Length of Time Served1 |
Principal Occupation(s)During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios In Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
|
Richard K. Wagoner, CFA4,6 Age: 67 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
Member and Former President, North Carolina Securities Traders Association; Member, Financial Analysts Society; Former Consultant to the Boards of Trustees of the Evergreen funds; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
Class II -- Nominees to serve until 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:
Name and Age |
Position Held with the Fund |
Length of Time Served1 |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
|
Charles A. Austin III2,11 Age: 70 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
Investment Counselor, Anchor Capital Advisors, Inc. (investment advice); Director, The Andover Companies (insurance); Trustee, Arthritis Foundation of New England; Director, The Francis Ouimet Society; Former Director, Health Development Corp. (fitness-wellness centers); Former Director, Mentor Income Fund, Inc.; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust; Former Investment Counselor, Appleton Partners, Inc. (investment advice); Former Director, Executive Vice President and Treasurer, State Street Research & Management Company (investment advice) |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
|
Shirley L. Fulton2,7 Age: 53 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2004. |
Partner, Tin, Fulton, Greene & Owen, PLLC (law firm); Former Partner, Helms, Henderson & Fulton, P.A. (law firm); Retired Senior Resident Superior Court Judge, 26th Judicial District, Charlotte, NC |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
|
Gerald M. McDonnell2,6 Age: 65 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
Manager of Commercial Operations, SMI STEEL Co. - South Carolina (steel producer); Former Sales and Marketing Management, Nucor Steel Company; Former Director, Mentor Income Fund, Inc.; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
|
Richard J. Shima4 Age: 65 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
Independent Consultant; Director, Trust Company of CT; Trustee, Saint Joseph College (CT); Director, Hartford Hospital; Trustee, Greater Hartford YMCA; Former Director, Enhance Financial Services, Inc.; Former Director, Old State House Association; Former Director of CTG Resources, Inc. (natural gas); Former Director, Mentor Income Fund, Inc.; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
Class I -- Nominees to serve until 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:
Name and Age |
Position Held with the Fund |
Length of Time Served1 |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
K. Dun Gifford2,3,7,8,9,10,11 Age: 66 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
Chairman and President, Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust (education); Trustee, Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Cambridge College; Former Chairman of the Board, Director, and Executive Vice President, The London Harness Company (leather goods purveyor); Former Director, Mentor Income Fund, Inc.; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
Dr. Leroy Keith, Jr.4,6 Age: 66 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc. (private investment firm); Trustee, The Phoenix Group of Mutual Funds; Director, Obagi Medical Products Co.; Director, Diversapack Co.; Former Director, Lincoln Educational Services; Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Carson Products Company (manufacturing); Former Director, Mentor Income Fund, Inc.; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust. |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12; Trustee, The Phoenix Group of Mutual Funds |
Michael S. Scofield3,7,8,9,10,11 Age: 62 |
Trustee |
Trustee since 2003. |
Director, Branded Media Corporation (multi-media branding company); Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield; Former Director, Mentor Income Fund, Inc.; Former Trustee, Mentor Funds and Cash Resource Trust. |
89 |
Trustee, Evergreen family of funds12 |
(1) All Trustees are elected to initially serve a one- two- or three- year term and thereafter to serve a three-year term.
(2) Member of Audit Committee.
(3) Member of Executive Committee.
(4) Member of Performance Committee.
(5) Preferred Shares Trustee.
(6) Member of Distribution and Shareholder Service Committee.
(7) Member of Litigation Oversight Committee.
(8) Member of Nominating Committee.
(9) Member of 15(c) Committee.
(10) Member of Qualified Legal Compliance Committee.
(11) Member of Pricing Committee.
(12) As of April 30, 2005, the Evergreen family of funds consisted of 9 open-end management investment companies with 86 separate funds or series organized as Delaware statutory trusts and 3 closed-end management investment companies organized as Delaware statutory trusts.
The following table contains specific information about the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Fund and the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in other funds in the Evergreen family of Funds overseen by the Trustees.
Independent Trustees
Name of Trustee |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund as of December 31, 2004 |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies as of December 31, 2004 |
|
|
|
Charles A. Austin III1 |
$0 |
Over $100,000 |
Shirley L. Fulton |
$0 |
$10,001-$50,000 |
K. Dun Gifford |
$0 |
$10,001-$50,000 |
Dr. Leroy Keith, Jr. |
$0 |
$10,001-$50,000 |
Gerald M. McDonnell1 |
$1-$10,000 |
Over $100,000 |
William W. Pettit1 |
$0 |
Over $100,000 |
David M. Richardson |
$0 |
Over $100,000 |
Dr. Russell A. Salton, III1 |
$0 |
Over $100,000 |
Michael S. Scofield1 |
$1-$10,000 |
Over $100,000 |
Richard J. Shima1 |
$10,001 - $50,000 |
Over $100,000 |
Interested Trustee
Name of Trustee |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund as of December 31, 2004 |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies as of December 31, 2004 |
|
|
|
Richard K. Wagoner |
$1-$10,000 |
Over $100,000 |
(1) In addition to the above investment amounts, the Trustee has over $100,000 indirectly invested in certain of the Evergreen funds through Deferred Compensation Plans, with the exception of Mr. Shima who has over $50,000 indirectly invested.
Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), Mr. Wagoner is an “interested person” of the Fund because of his ownership of shares in Wachovia.
Board Meetings and Committees
During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005, the Board of Trustees held 5 regular meetings and 3 special meetings. Each Trustee attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and Committee meetings on which he or she served.
The Board of Trustees has appointed an Executive Committee consisting of K. Dun Gifford, Dr. Russell A. Salton, III and Chairman of the Board, Michael S. Scofield. The Executive Committee recommends Trustees to fill vacancies, prepares the agenda for Board meetings and acts on routine matters between scheduled Board meetings. The Executive Committee met 15 times during fiscal year 2005.
The Board of Trustees has also appointed an Audit Committee, as defined by Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to evaluate financial management, meet with the auditors and deal with other matters of a financial nature that it deems appropriate. The Audit Committee met 4 times during fiscal year 2005. The Audit Committee consists of Shirley L. Fulton, K. Dun Gifford, Gerald M. McDonnell and William W. Pettit and Chairman of the Committee, Charles A. Austin III. Each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” as defined in the American Stock Exchange’s listing standards.
The Board of Trustees also has appointed a Performance Committee. The purpose of the Performance Committee is to review all activities involving investment-related issues and activities of EIMC and to assess the performance of the Fund. The Performance Committee met 4 times during fiscal year 2005. The Performance Committee consists of Dr. Leroy Keith, David M. Richardson, Dr. Russell A. Salton, III, Richard Wagoner and Chairman of the Committee, Richard J. Shima.
The 15(c) Committee, consisting of K. Dun Gifford, Dr. Russell A. Salton, III and Chairman of the Board, Michael S. Scofield, is responsible for gathering relevant information to assist the full Board in fulfilling its obligations relating to the initial approval and renewal of advisory and distribution contracts pursuant to Section 15 of the 1940 Act. It may request information from and submit questions to the Fund's investment advisor and its affiliates in order for the full Board of Trustees to determine whether or not to enter into or renew Fund contracts.
The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee, consisting of K. Dun Gifford, Dr. Russell A. Salton, III and Chairman of the Board, Michael S. Scofield, is responsible for the establishment of written procedures for the confidential receipt, retention and consideration of any report of evidence of a material violation of an applicable U.S. federal or state securities law, a material breach of a fiduciary duty arising under U.S. federal or state law, or a similar material violation of any U.S. federal or state law by a Fund or by any officer, Trustee, employee or agent of a Fund. The Committee is also responsible for determining whether an investigation is necessary regarding any report of evidence of a material violation. If it is determined that there has been a material violation, the Committee is responsible for informing the Fund’s chief legal officer and chief executive officer and taking all other appropriate actions to respond to evidence of a material violation.
The Trust has a Distribution and Shareholder Service Committee, which consists of Dr. Leroy Keith, David Richardson, Gerald McDonnell and the Chairman of the Committee, Richard Wagoner. The Distribution and Shareholder Service Committee oversees and assists Trustee oversight of: the means by which shares of the Evergreen funds are marketed and sold; expenditures by the Funds’ distributor of amounts paid under the Funds’ Rule 12b-1 plans; the nature and quality of services provided by the Funds’ transfer agent; and the overall level of servicing provided to shareholders in the Funds. The Distribution and Shareholder Service Committee, which was formed on March 16, 2005, did not meet during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005. Since April 30, 2005, the Distribution and Shareholder Service Committee has met once.
The Trust has a Litigation Oversight Committee, which consists of the members of the Executive Committee, Shirley L. Fulton and William W. Pettit. The Litigation Oversight Committee oversees and assists Trustee oversight of: litigation commenced by or against the Evergreen funds; litigation commenced by or against any service provider to the Funds that relates to the Funds or that may have a material effect on the service provider’s ability to perform its services to the Funds; and non-routine regulatory actions, examinations, inspections, or other activities in respect of any service provider to the Funds that relate to its services to the Funds or that may have a material effect on the service provider’s ability to perform its services to the Funds. The Litigation Oversight Committee, which was formed on March 16, 2005, did not meet during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005. Since April 30, 2005, the Litigation Oversight Committee has met once.
The Trust has a Pricing Committee, which consists of the members of the Executive Committee andthe Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Pricing Committee is responsible for general oversight of the process of the pricing of the Fund’s investments. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005, the Pricing Committee held 9 committee meetings.
Nominating Committee Process
The Executive Committee functions as the Nominating Committee. The members of the Executive Committee are “independent” as defined in the American Stock Exchange listing standards. The Executive Committee Charter addresses the Nominating Committee functions. A copy of the Evergreen funds Executive Committee Charter is attached as Exhibit A.
On June 17, 2004, the Board of Trustees approved a policy pursuant to which the Board of Trustees may consider nominees for election as Trustees. The policy states the minimum nominee qualifications, the process for identifying and evaluating trustee nominees and the process for considering nominees recommended by shareholders. The Evergreen funds Policy for the Consideration of Trustee Nominees is attached as Exhibit B.
Communications with Board Members
On September 29, 2004, the Board of Trustees approved a policy for communications with Board members. Any shareholder who wishes to send a communication to the Board of Trustees of an Evergreen fund should send the communications to the Evergreen Board of Trustees, P.O. Box 20083, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202. If a shareholder wishes to send a communication directly to an individual Trustee or to a Committee of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, then the communication should be specifically addressed to such individual Trustee or Committee and sent to the above address.
Trustee Attendance Policy at Annual Shareholder Meetings
On March 18, 2004, the Board of Trustees approved a policy for Trustee attendance at annual shareholder meetings. The Evergreen funds listed on the American Stock Exchange are required to hold an Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Board of Trustees of the Fund to encourage Trustees’ attendance at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders in person or by video conference.
Mr. Charles A. Austin, III attended the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Name, Address and Age |
Position Held with the Fund |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served1 |
Principal Occupations(s) During Past Five Years |
Dennis H. Ferro 401 S. Tyron Charlotte, NC 28288 Age: 60 |
President |
Since 2003 |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Evergreen Investment Company, Inc. and Executive Vice President, Wachovia Bank, N.A. |
Carol Kosel 200 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116 Age: 41 |
Treasurer |
Since 2003 |
Senior Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. |
Michael H. Koonce 200 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116 Age: 45 |
Secretary |
Since 2003 |
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Wachovia Corporation. |
James F. Angelos 200 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116 Age: 57 |
Chief Compliance Officer |
Since 2004 |
Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, Evergreen Funds; Former Director of Compliance, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. |
(1) The term of office for each principal officer is until a successor is duly elected or qualified or until their death, resignation, retirement or removal from office.
Dennis H. Ferrooversees the operations of the Fund. Michael H. Koonce is responsible for the Fund’s compliance with governing law. Carol A. Kosel is responsible for maintaining the books and records of the Fund and for working with the portfolio managers on a continuous basis to assure that accounting records are properly maintained. James F. Angelos is responsible for reviewing Fund policies and procedures and monitoring the Evergreen funds’ compliance with them.
Other Remuneration and Affiliations of Officers and Trustees
The Fund reimburses all Trustees for expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Trustees. Fees, salaries or other remuneration of officers of the Fund who also serve as officers or employees of EIMC or any of its affiliated companies are borne by EIMC or the Wachovia affiliate for whom the individual serves. All present officers are covered by this provision, and did not receive any compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005, the Trustees earned the following compensation from the Fund and the Evergreen fund complex:
Independent Trustees
Name of Person and Position with the Fund |
Aggregate Compensation From the Fund |
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses1 |
Total Compensation From the Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees |
|
|||
Charles A. Austin III, Trustee2 |
$6,324 |
N/A |
$175,417 |
K. Dun Gifford, Trustee |
$6,269 |
N/A |
$169,667 |
Shirley L. Fulton, Trustee |
$6,177 |
N/A |
$151,667 |
Dr. Leroy Keith, Jr., Trustee |
$6,192 |
N/A |
$152,667 |
Gerald M. McDonnell, Trustee |
$6,192 |
N/A |
$149,817 |
William W. Pettit, Trustee2 |
$6,177 |
N/A |
$151,667 |
David M. Richardson, Trustee |
$6,192 |
N/A |
$152,667 |
Dr. Russell A. Salton, III, Trustee |
$6,285 |
N/A |
$161,167 |
Michael S. Scofield, Trustee |
$6,522 |
N/A |
$228,334 |
Richard J. Shima, Trustee2 |
$6,262 |
N/A |
$164,584 |
Interested Trustee
(1) The Fund does not currently provide pension or retirement plan benefits to the Trustees.
Includes compensation deferred pursuant to a Trustee Compensation Deferral Plan. The total amounts of deferring compensation payable to Messrs. Austin, McDonnell, Pettit, Shima and Ms. Fulton for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005 were $103,717, $45,800, $50,734, $67,467 and $37,917, respectively.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Fund’s Trustees and officers and certain other persons to file reports regarding ownership of, and transactions in, the Fund’s securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Copies of the required filings must also be furnished to the Fund. The Fund believes that all reports required to be filed by the Fund’s officers and Trustees were filed on a timely basis.
Forms 3, 4, and 5 for the officers and Trustees are available on our website at www.EvergreenInvestments.com.
Service Providers
Investment Advisor. EIMC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wachovia, a North Carolina-based, multi-bank financial holding company subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, currently serves as the Fund’s investment advisor. EIMC has been managing mutual funds and private accounts since 1932. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005, the Fund paid $9,098,881 (0.89% of average daily net assets, or 0.60% of average daily total assets, which are the net assets of the Fund plus borrowings or other leverage for investment purposes to the extent excluded in calculating net assets) to EIMC in advisory fees. The principal business address of EIMC is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
Administrator. Administrative services are provided by Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. (“EIS”), an affiliated company of EIMC. EIS is located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), 99 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, has been approved by the Trustees of the Fund as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund for the current fiscal year ending April 30, 2006.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees unanimously recommended the selection of KPMG, and the Trustees unanimously approved such selection, at a meeting held on March 17, 2005.
The Fund’s Audit Committee has established and adopted policies and procedures for pre-approving audit services, audit-related services, tax services and all other services provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm as well as the fee levels or budgeted amounts for those services. The Fund’s policies and procedures include reporting and request or application requirements that are intended to keep the Audit Committee informed of all the services provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, the Chief Compliance Officer is required to monitor the performance of all services provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm in order to determine whether those services are in compliance with the Fund’s pre-approval policies and procedures and to report the results of this monitoring to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis. The Fund’s pre-approval policies and procedures do not delegate any of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for pre-approving services performed by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to the Fund’s management.
A representative of KPMG, if requested by any Shareholder, will be present via telephone at the Meeting to respond to appropriate questions from Shareholders and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she chooses to do so.
The following table presents fees billed for professional audit services rendered by KPMG for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2004 and 2005, respectively, and for fees billed for other services rendered by KPMG to the Fund. There were no fees paid to KPMG during the fiscal years where the de minimis exception was used.
Evergreen Income Advantage Fund
2005 2004
Audit fees $25,000 $24,000
Audit-related fees1 $13,000 $12,500
Tax fees2 $3,375 $1,850
All other fees $0 $0
(1) Audit-related fees consist principally of fees for interfund lending procedures and any merger-related activity.
(2) Tax fees consist of fees for tax consultation, tax compliance and tax review.
In approving the selection of KPMG for the Fund, the Audit Committee considered, in addition to other practices and requirements relating to the selection of the Fund’s auditors, whether the non-audit services covered in the table above under “Audit-related fees, Tax fees and All other fees” performed by KPMG for the Fund and the investment advisor and for certain related parties are compatible with maintaining the independence of KPMG as the Fund’s principal accountants.
On June 16, 2005, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Fund’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firms the matters required to be discussed by Statements on Auditing Standards, No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Trustees that the audited financial statements be included in the annual report to shareholders for the last fiscal year for filing with the SEC.
The Board of Trustees has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee which is attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit C. Each member of the Audit Committee is independent as independence is defined in the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange.The Audit Committee reviews this Charter at least annually and may recommend changes to the Board.
Other Business
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Fund’s officers and the investment advisor are not aware of any other business to come before the Meeting other than as set forth in the Notice. If any other business is properly brought before the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, the persons named as proxies will vote in their sole discretion.
Required Vote
Election of Messrs. Salton and Wagoner to the Board of Trustees of the Fund will be decided by a plurality of the common shares and preferred shares of the Fund (voting together as a single class) voted in the election of such Trustees at the Meeting, in person or by proxy. Election of Messrs. Pettit and Richardson to the Board of Trustees of the Fund will be decided by a plurality of the preferred shares of the Fund (voting together as a single class) voted in the election of such Trustees at the Meeting, in person or by proxy.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FUND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL FOR THE FUND.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any Shareholder desiring to present a proposal for consideration at the 2006 annual meeting of Shareholders of the Fund should submit such proposal in writing to the Secretary, c/o Evergreen Investment Services, Inc., Evergreen Income Advantage Fund, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-5034 so that it is received by the Fund no later than March 10, 2006. Proxies submitted by Shareholders confer discretionary authority on the individually named proxies to vote on all matters presented at the meeting. Mere submission of a Shareholder proposal does not guarantee inclusion of the proposal in the proxy statement or presentation of the proposal at the 2006 annual meeting since such inclusion and presentation are subject to various conditions and requirements, including those required by applicable law.
Michael H. Koonce, Secretary
June 29, 2005
EVERGREEN FUNDS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHARTER
EXHIBIT B
EVERGREEN TRUSTS
Policy for the Consideration of Trustee Nominees
The following Policy for the Consideration of Trustee Nominees (the “Policy”) shall be followed by the Executive Committee (the “Committee”) of each Evergreen Trust in filling vacancies on the Boards of Trustees or when Trustees are to be nominated for election by shareholders.
Minimum Nominee Qualifications
1. With respect to nominations for Trustees who are not interested persons of a Fund as defined by Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) (“Disinterested Trustees”), nominees shall be independent of the Fund’s investment adviser and other principal service providers. The Committee shall also consider the effect of any relationship beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might impair independence, such as business, financial or family relationships with the investment adviser or its affiliates.
2. Disinterested Trustee nominees must qualify for service on the Fund’s Audit Committee under the rules of the American Stock Exchange (including financial literacy requirements) or other applicable securities exchange.
3. With respect to all Trustees, nominees must qualify under all applicable laws and regulations.
4. The proposed nominee may not be within five years of the Fund’s retirement age for Trustees unless he or she is nominated for re-election.
5. The Committee may also consider such other factors as it may determine to be relevant.
Other Qualifications
1. With respect to all proposed nominees, the Committee shall consider whether the proposed nominee serves on boards of or is otherwise affiliated with competing financial service organizations or their related fund complexes or companies in which the Evergreen Funds may invest.
2. The Committee shall consider whether the proposed nominee is able to and intends to commit the time necessary for the performance of Trustee duties.
3. The Committee shall consider the integrity and character of the proposed nominee, and the proposed nominee’s compatibility with the current Trustees.
4. The Committee may require an interview with the proposed nominee.
Nominees Recommended by Shareholders
Process for Identifying and Evaluating Trustee Nominees
1. When identifying and evaluating prospective nominees for openings on the Board of Trustees, the Committee shall review all recommendations in the same manner, including those received from shareholders.
2. The Committee shall first determine if the prospective nominee meets the minimum qualifications set forth above. Those proposed nominees meeting the minimum qualifications will then be considered by the Committee with respect to the other qualifications listed above, and any other qualifications deemed to be important by the Committee.
3. Those nominees selected by the Committee shall be recommended to the Boards of Trustees.
Last Approved: June 17, 2004
Last Revised: June 17, 2004
EXHIBIT C
EVERGREEN INCOME ADVANTAGE FUND
EVERGREEN MANAGED INCOME FUND
EVERGREEN UTILITIES AND HIGH INCOME FUND
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
The function of the Committee is to review; it is management’s responsibility to maintain appropriate systems for accounting and internal control, and the auditors’ responsibility to plan and carry out a proper audit.
Last Approved: September 23, 2004