Exhibit 10.1
 
FINAL
 
NONQUALIFIED TIME-VESTING STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (CEO)
 
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of April 26, 2011 (the “Grant Date”), between Charter
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Michael J.
Lovett (the “Optionee”).
 
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Charter Communications,
Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) shall have the same defined meanings
in this Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (the “Agreement”).
 
The undersigned Optionee has been granted an Option to purchase Shares of Class
A common stock of the Company (“Shares”), subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan and this Agreement, as follows:
 
 
Vesting Schedule:
As provided in Section 4 of the Agreement
and on Exhibit A attached hereto.

 
 
Exercise Price per share:
$55.12

 
 
Total Number of Shares under Option
645,833

 
 
Exercise Expiration Date:
April 26, 2021

 
(Such information as to exercise price, total number of options and exercise
expiration date are also shown on the Optionee’s Merrill Lynch on-line grant
account.)
 
 

 
 
Charter Communications, Inc.

 

 
 
 
Abigail T. Pfeiffer, SVP - Human Resources

                                   
I, the undersigned, agree to this grant of an Option to purchase Shares of the
Company, acknowledge that this grant is subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan and this Agreement, and have read and understand the terms and
conditions set forth in Sections 1 through 23 of this Agreement.
 

 
 
______________________________________________________

 
 
Optionee

 
 
 
 
 

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1.  
Grant of Option.

 
1.1 The Company hereby grants to the Optionee the right and option (the
“Option”) to purchase all or any part of the Total Number of Shares under Option
set forth above, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement.
 
1.2 The Option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
 
1.3 This Agreement shall be construed in accordance and consistent with, and
subject to, the provisions of the Plan (the provisions of which are incorporated
herein by reference) and, except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, the
capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the same definitions as set
forth in the Plan.
 
2.  
Purchase Price.

 
The price at which the Optionee shall be entitled to purchase Shares upon the
exercise of the Option shall be the Exercise Price per Share set forth above.
 
3.  
Duration of Option.

 
The Option shall be exercisable to the extent and in the manner provided herein
for a period of ten (10) years from the Grant Date (the “Exercise Term”) and
shall expire as of the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant Date (“Exercise
Expiration Date”); provided, however, that the Option may be earlier or later
terminated as provided under the terms of the Plan and this Agreement.
 
4.  
Vesting of Option.

 
4.1 Time-Vesting Options.
 
(a) Normal Vesting.  Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Plan,
thirty percent (30%) of the Option granted hereunder (the “Time-Vesting
Options”) shall vest as follows, subject to the Optionee’s continued employment
with the Company or its Subsidiaries on each such vesting date:
 
(i) Tranche I Service Options.  One-third (1/3) of the Time-Vesting Options (the
“Tranche I Service Options”) shall become vested and exercisable in four (4) pro
rata equal installments on each of the first four (4) anniversaries of the
applicable Vesting Commencement Date.  The Vesting Commencement Date for the
Tranche I Service Options shall be the Grant Date.
 
(ii) Tranche II Service Options. One-third (1/3) of the Time-Vesting Options
(the “Tranche II Service Options”) shall become vested and exercisable in four
(4) pro rata equal installments on each of the first four (4) anniversaries of
the applicable Vesting Commencement Date.  The applicable Vesting Commencement
Date for the Tranche II Service Options shall be December 31, 2011.
 
 
 
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(iii) Tranche III Service Options. One-third (1/3) of the Time-Vesting Options
(the “Tranche III Service Options”) shall become vested and exercisable in four
(4) pro rata equal installments on each of the first four (4) anniversaries of
the applicable Vesting Commencement Date.  The applicable Vesting Commencement
Date for the Tranche III Service Options shall be December 31, 2012.
 
Each right of purchase shall be cumulative and shall continue, unless sooner
exercised or terminated as herein provided, during the remaining period of the
Exercise Term.  Notwithstanding any fractional number of Shares resulting from
the application of the foregoing percentages or vesting provisions below, the
Option shall only be exercisable with respect to a whole number of Shares.
 
(b) Certain Terminations.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
any employment agreement between the Optionee and the Company, the Plan or this
Agreement, upon the termination of employment of the Optionee (i) by the
Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, for Cause, by the Optionee without Good
Reason or as a result of the Optionee’s Retirement, all unvested Time-Vesting
Options shall be cancelled and forfeited, or (ii) as a result of the Optionee’s
death or Disability or by the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, without Cause
or by the Optionee for Good Reason, subject to Section 4.1(c) hereof: (A) all
Non-Eligible Time-Vesting Options shall immediately be canceled and forfeited;
(B) all unvested Eligible Time-Vesting Options that do not vest pursuant to
Section 4.1(b)(ii)(C) hereof shall be canceled and forfeited; and (C) a pro-rata
portion of the Eligible Time-Vesting Options that would otherwise vest on the
next regularly scheduled vesting date (based on the portion of the vesting year
that has elapsed as of such termination) shall vest and become exercisable as of
the date of such termination.
 
(c)           Change in Control.  (i) In the event of a Change in Control,
subject to the Optionee’s continued employment with the Company or its
Subsidiaries on the date of such Change in Control, or (ii) if, within thirty
(30) days prior to the completion of a Change in Control or at any time prior to
a Change in Control at the request of a prospective purchaser whose proposed
purchase would constitute a Change in Control upon its completion, the Company,
or any of its Subsidiaries, terminates the Optionee’s employment without Cause
or the Optionee terminates his employment for Good Reason, notwithstanding
anything set forth in Section 4.1(b) hereof, any employment agreement between
the Optionee and the Company to the contrary, all unvested Eligible Time-Vesting
Options shall immediately vest and become exercisable.  Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee at the time of such Change in Control, all
Non-Eligible Time-Vesting Options shall be canceled and forfeited upon a Change
in Control.
 
(d)           Examples.  By way of example, if Employee A is granted an
aggregate of 560 Options on April 30, 2011, 168 Options (30% of 560) will be
Time-Vesting Options and 392 Options (70% of 560) will be Performance-Vesting
Options.
 
(i) Termination Example.  If Employee A is terminated by the Company without
Cause or terminates his employment for Good Reason on June 30, 2013, Employee A
will have (A) 56 Eligible Tranche I Service Options of which 28 options will
have
 
 
 
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time-vested and 2 options will vest and become exercisable on the date of such
termination based upon Employee A’s two months of service in 2013 following the
first anniversary of the Grant Date (14 options vesting on the next regularly
scheduled vesting date with two-twelfths (2/12) of the year of service), (B) 56
Eligible Tranche II Service Options of which 14 options will have time-vested
and 7 options will vest and become exercisable on the date of such termination
based upon Employee A’s six months of service in 2013, and (C) 56 Eligible
Tranche III Service Options of which 0 options will have vested and 7 options
will vest and become exercisable on the date of such termination.
 
(ii) Change in Control Example.  If Employee A is terminated by the Company
without Cause or terminates his employment for Good Reason on the date of a
Change in Control that is completed on January 31, 2012, Employee A will have
(A) 56 Eligible Tranche I Service Options, all of which will vest and become
exercisable, (B) 56 Eligible Tranche II Service Options, all of which will vest
and become exercisable, and (C) 56 Tranche III Service Options, none of which
will be Eligible Tranche III Service Options because the Vesting Commencement
Date for the Tranche III Service Options will not have commenced as of January
31, 2012, and all of which will be canceled and forfeited as of the date of such
termination.
 
4.2 Performance-Vesting Options.
 
(a) Normal Vesting.  Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Plan,
seventy percent (70%) of the Option granted hereunder (the “Performance-Vesting
Options”) shall vest as follows, subject to the Optionee’s continued service
with the Company or its Subsidiaries as of the date on which the applicable
stock price thresholds stated below are achieved:
 
(i) Tranche I Performance Options.  One-third (1/3) of the Performance-Vesting
Options shall vest and become exercisable, subject to the Optionee’s continued
service with the Company or its Subsidiaries as of the date on which the
applicable stock price thresholds stated below are achieved (determined in
accordance with the “Tranche I Measurement Standard” (as defined below)) (the
“Tranche I Performance Options”):  (A) one-third (1/3) of the Tranche I
Performance Options shall vest and become exercisable upon the first occurrence
of the Shares achieving a stock price threshold of $60 per Share; (B) one-third
(1/3) of the Tranche I Performance Options shall vest and become exercisable
upon the first occurrence of the Shares achieving a stock price threshold of $80
per Share; and (C) one-third (1/3) of the Tranche I Performance Options shall
vest and become exercisable upon the first occurrence of the Shares achieving a
stock price threshold of $100 per Share.  For purposes of this Section
4.2(a)(i), achievement of the applicable stock price thresholds will be measured
based on the average of the per share closing price of a Share as reported on
the principal exchange on which the Shares are listed for trading for any sixty
(60) consecutive trading days commencing on or after January 26, 2012 (the
“Tranche I Measurement Standard”).  The applicable Vesting Commencement Date for
the Tranche I Performance Options shall be the Grant Date.
 
 
 
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(ii) Tranche II Performance Options.  One-third (1/3) of the Performance-Vesting
Options shall vest and become exercisable, subject to the Optionee’s continued
service with the Company or its Subsidiaries as of the date on which the
applicable stock price thresholds stated below are achieved (determined in
accordance with the “Tranche II Measurement Standard” (as defined below)) (the
“Tranche II Performance Options”): (A) one-third (1/3) of the Tranche II
Performance Options shall vest and become exercisable upon the first occurrence
of the Shares achieving a stock price threshold of $60 per Share; (B) one-third
(1/3) of the Tranche II Performance Options shall vest and become exercisable
upon the first occurrence of the Shares achieving a stock price threshold of $80
per Share; and (C) one-third (1/3) of the Tranche II Performance Options shall
vest and become exercisable upon the first occurrence of the Shares achieving a
stock price threshold of $100 per Share.  For purposes of this Section
4.2(a)(ii), achievement of the applicable stock price thresholds will be
measured based on the average of the per share closing price of a Share as
reported on the principal exchange on which the Shares are listed for trading
for any sixty (60) consecutive trading days commencing on or after September 30,
2012 (the “Tranche II Measurement Standard”).  The applicable Vesting
Commencement Date for the Tranche II Performance Options shall be December 31,
2011.
 
(iii) Tranche III Performance Options.  One-third (1/3) of the
Performance-Vesting Options shall vest and become exercisable, subject to the
Optionee’s continued service with the Company or its Subsidiaries as of the date
on which the applicable stock price thresholds stated below are achieved
(determined in accordance with the “Tranche III Measurement Standard” (as
defined below)) (the “Tranche III Performance Options”): (A) one-third (1/3) of
the Tranche III Performance Options shall vest and become exercisable upon the
first occurrence of the Shares achieving a stock price threshold of $60 per
Share; (B) one-third (1/3) of the Tranche III Performance Options shall vest and
become exercisable upon the first occurrence of the Shares achieving a stock
price threshold of $80 per Share; and (C) one-third (1/3) of the Tranche III
Performance Options shall vest and become exercisable upon the first occurrence
of the Shares achieving a stock price threshold of $100 per Share.  For purposes
of this Section 4.2(a)(iii), achievement of the applicable stock price
thresholds will be measured based on the average of the per share closing price
of a Share as reported on the principal exchange on which the Shares are listed
for trading for any sixty (60) consecutive trading days commencing on or after
September 30, 2013 (the “Tranche III Measurement Standard”).  The applicable
Vesting Commencement Date for the Tranche III Performance Options shall be
December 31, 2012.
 
In addition, there shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods
prior to the applicable stock price thresholds being achieved as provided above,
and all vesting shall occur only at such time as the applicable stock price
thresholds have been achieved in accordance with the foregoing. Each right of
purchase shall be cumulative and shall continue, unless sooner exercised or
terminated as herein provided, during the remaining period of the Exercise
Term.  Notwithstanding any fractional number of Shares resulting from the
application of the foregoing percentages or vesting provisions below, the Option
shall only be exercisable with respect to a whole number of Shares.
 
 
 
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(b) Certain Terminations.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
any employment agreement between the Optionee and the Company, the Plan or this
Agreement, upon the termination of employment of the Optionee (i) as a result of
the Optionee’s death or Disability, by the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries,
for Cause, by the Optionee without Good Reason or as a result of the Optionee’s
Retirement, all unvested Performance-Vesting Options shall be cancelled and
forfeited, or (ii) by the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, without Cause or
by the Optionee for Good Reason: (A) all Non-Eligible Performance-Vesting
Options shall immediately be canceled and forfeited; (B) all unvested Eligible
Performance-Vesting Options that do not remain outstanding and eligible to vest
pursuant to Section 4.2(b)(ii)(C) hereof shall be canceled and forfeited; and
(C) the Applicable Percentage of each of the Eligible Tranche I Performance
Options, Eligible Tranche II Performance Options, and Eligible Tranche III
Performance Options, respectively, shall remain outstanding and be eligible to
vest in accordance with the applicable measurement standard set forth in Section
4.2(a), where one-third (1/3) of such Eligible Performance-Vesting Options that
remain outstanding and eligible to vest pursuant to the foregoing provision
shall be subject to the stock price threshold of $60 per Share, one-third (1/3)
of such Eligible Performance-Vesting Options shall be subject to the stock price
threshold of $80 per Share, and one-third (1/3) of such Eligible
Performance-Vesting Options shall be subject to the stock price threshold of
$100 per Share, respectively.  Notwithstanding anything set forth in Section 7
to the contrary, the number of Performance-Vesting Options that vest pursuant to
this Section 4.2(b) following the date of the Optionee’s termination of
employment shall continue to be exercisable in whole or in part at any time for
six (6) months following the date that such options become vested and
exercisable in accordance with this Section 4.2(b), but in no event after the
Exercise Expiration Date.
 
(c) Change in Control.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
any employment agreement between the Optionee and the Company, the Plan or this
Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, (i) all Eligible
Performance-Vesting Options will vest and become exercisable if the highest
price per Share paid for the Shares (the “Per Share Consideration”) in such
Change in Control equals or exceeds $100 per Share, (ii) an aggregate of
two-thirds (2/3) of the Eligible Performance-Vesting Options (reduced by any
portion that previously vested) shall vest and become exercisable if the Per
Share Consideration is less than $100 per Share but equals or exceeds $80 per
Share, (iii) an aggregate of one-third (1/3) of the Eligible Performance-Vesting
Options (reduced by any portion that previously vested) shall vest and become
exercisable if the Per Share Consideration is less than $80 per Share but equals
or exceeds $60 per Share, and (iv) all unvested Eligible Performance-Vesting
Options, unless otherwise assumed, shall be canceled and forfeited if the Per
Share Consideration is less than $60 per Share.  Unless otherwise determined by
the Committee at the time of such Change in Control, all Non-Eligible
Performance-Vesting Options and all unvested Eligible Performance-Vesting
Options that do not vest in accordance with this Section 4.2(c) in connection
with a Change in Control shall be canceled and forfeited upon a Change in
Control.
 
(d) Examples.  Assume the same facts under Section 0 where Employee A is granted
an aggregate of 560 Options on April 30, 2011, with 168 Time-Vesting Options and
392 Performance-Vesting Options.
 
 
 
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(i) Termination Example.  If Employee A is terminated by the Company without
Cause or terminates his employment for Good Reason on June 30, 2013, Employee A
will have (A) 131 Eligible Tranche I Performance Options of which 70 options
will remain outstanding and be eligible to vest based upon the Applicable
Percentage (30 Tranche I Service Options will have vested or will vest in
connection with Employee A’s termination and 30/56 equals 53.5%), (B) 131
Eligible Tranche II Performance Options of which 49 options will remain
outstanding and be eligible to vest based upon the Applicable Percentage (21
Tranche II Service Options will have vested or will vest in connection with
Employee A’s termination and 21/56 equals 37.5%), and (C) 130 Eligible Tranche
III Performance Options of which 16 options will remain outstanding and be
eligible to vest based upon the Applicable Percentage (7 Tranche III Service
Options will have vested or will vest in connection with Employee A’s
termination and 7/56 equals 12.5%).
 
(ii) Change in Control Example.  In the event a Change in Control is completed
on January 31, 2012 where the Per Share Consideration is equal to $85, Employee
A will have (A) 131 Eligible Tranche I Performance Options of which 87 options
(2/3 of the Eligible Tranche I Performance Options) will vest and become
exercisable because the Per Share Consideration was greater than $80 per Share
but less than $100 per Share, (B) 131 Eligible Tranche II Performance Options of
which 87 options (2/3 of the Eligible Tranche II Performance Options) will vest
and become exercisable, and (C) 130 Tranche III Performance Options, none of
which will be Eligible Tranche III Performance Options, and all of which will be
canceled and forfeited.
 
4.3 Committee Discretion to Accelerate Vesting.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting of
all or any portion the Option at any time and for any reason.
 
5. Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the following definitions.
 
5.1 “Applicable Percentage” shall mean (a) in the case of the Tranche I
Performance Options, the percentage of the Tranche I Service Options that vested
on or before the date of the Optionee’s termination of employment, after giving
effect to any accelerated vesting pursuant to Sections 4.1(b) or 4.1(c) hereof;
(b) in the case of the Tranche II Performance Options, the percentage of the
Tranche II Service Options that vested on or before the date of the Optionee’s
termination of employment, after giving effect to any accelerated vesting
pursuant to Sections 4.1(b) or 4.1(c) hereof; or (c) in the case of the Tranche
III Performance Options, the percentage of the Tranche III Service Options that
vested on or before the date of the Optionee’s termination of employment, after
giving effect to any accelerated vesting pursuant to Sections 4.1(b) or 4.1(c)
hereof.
 
5.2 “Change in Control” shall mean (a) in the case where there is an employment
agreement in effect between the Company and the Optionee on the Grant Date that
defines “change in control” (or words of like import), “change in control” as
defined under such agreement or (b) in the case where there is no employment
agreement in effect between the
 
 
 
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Company and the Optionee on the Grant Date that defines “change in control” (or
words of like import), “change in control” as defined in the Plan.
 
5.3 “Eligible Options” shall mean the Tranche I Service Options, Tranche II
Service Options, Tranche III Service Options, Tranche I Performance Options,
Tranche II Performance Options and Tranche III Performance Options with respect
to which the Vesting Commencement Date has occurred as of the relevant date.
 
5.4 “Eligible Performance-Vesting Options” shall mean Performance-Vesting
Options that are Eligible Options.
 
5.5 “Eligible Time-Vesting Options” shall mean Time-Vesting Options that are
Eligible Options.
 
5.6 “Eligible Tranche I Performance Options” shall mean the Tranche I
Performance Options with respect to which the Vesting Commencement Date has
occurred as of the relevant date.
 
5.7 “Eligible Tranche II Performance Options” shall mean the Tranche II
Performance Options with respect to which the Vesting Commencement Date has
occurred as of the relevant date.
 
5.8 “Eligible Tranche III Performance Options” shall mean the Tranche III
Performance Options with respect to which the Vesting Commencement Date has
occurred as of the relevant date.
 
5.9 “Eligible Tranche I Service Options” shall mean the Tranche I Service
Options with respect to which the Vesting Commencement Date has occurred as of
the relevant date.
 
5.10 “Eligible Tranche II Service Options” shall mean the Tranche II Service
Options with respect to which the Vesting Commencement Date has occurred as of
the relevant date.
 
5.11 “Eligible Tranche III Service Options” shall mean the Tranche III Service
Options with respect to which the Vesting Commencement Date has occurred as of
the relevant date.
 
5.12 “Non-Eligible Options” shall mean the Tranche I Service Options, Tranche II
Service Options, Tranche III Service Options, Tranche I Performance Options,
Tranche II Performance Options and Tranche III Performance Options with respect
to which the Vesting Commencement Date has not occurred as of the relevant date.
 
5.13 “Non-Eligible Performance-Vesting Options” shall mean Performance-Vesting
Options that are not Eligible Options.
 
 
 
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5.14 “Non-Eligible Time-Vesting Options” shall mean Time-Vesting Options that
are not Eligible Options.
 
5.15 “Vesting Commencement Date” shall mean the date on which a specified
tranche of this Option first becomes eligible to vest as specified in Sections
4.1(a)(i), 4.1(a)(ii), 4.1(a)(iii), 4.2(a)(i), 4.2(a)(ii), and 4.2(a)(iii),
respectively.
 
6.  
Manner of Exercise and Payment.

 
6.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan, the
vested portion of the Option may be exercised by delivery of written notice in
person, electronically or by mail to the Plan Administrator (or his or her
designee).  Such notice shall state that the Optionee is electing to exercise
the Option and the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being
exercised and shall be signed by the person or persons exercising the
Option.  If requested by the Committee, such person or persons shall (i) deliver
this Agreement to the Plan Administrator (or his or her designee) who shall
endorse thereon a notation of such exercise and (ii) provide satisfactory proof
as to the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option.
 
6.2 The notice of exercise described in Section 6.1 hereof shall be accompanied
by (a) the full purchase price for the Shares in respect of which the Option is
being exercised, in cash, by check, by transferring Shares to the Company having
a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the cash amount for which
such Shares are substituted, or in such other manner as may be permitted by the
Committee in its discretion, and (b) payment of the Withholding Taxes as
provided by Section 12 of this Agreement, and in the manner as may be permitted
by the Committee its discretion pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement.
 
6.3 Upon receipt of notice of exercise and full payment for the Shares in
respect of which the Option is being exercised, the Company shall, subject to
the terms of the Plan, take such action as may be necessary to effect the
transfer to the Optionee of the number of Shares as to which such exercise was
effective.
 
6.4 Except as otherwise provided in Section 10, the Optionee shall not be deemed
to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to
any Shares subject to the Option until (i) the Option shall have been exercised
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Optionee shall have paid the
full purchase price for the number of Shares in respect of which the Option was
exercised, (ii) the Company shall have issued and delivered the Shares to the
Optionee, and (iii) the Optionee’s name shall have been entered as a stockholder
of record on the books of the Company, whereupon the Optionee shall have full
voting and other ownership rights with respect to such Shares.
 
7.  
Exercisability upon Termination of Employment.

 
If the employment of the Optionee is terminated as a result of death, Disability
or Retirement, the vested portion of the Option shall continue to be exercisable
in whole or in part at any time, but in no event after the Exercise Expiration
Date, for six (6) months after the date of such termination.  If the employment
of the Optionee is terminated for Cause, the entire
 
 
 
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Option (whether or not vested) shall terminate effective immediately prior to
the Optionee’s termination of employment.  If the employment of the Optionee is
terminated for any reason other than death, Disability or Retirement or for
Cause (including, without limitation, the Optionee’s ceasing to be employed by a
Subsidiary or Division as a result of the sale of such Subsidiary or Division or
an interest in such Subsidiary or Division or a termination of employment by the
Optionee with or without Good Reason), then the vested portion of the Option
shall continue to be exercisable in whole or in part at any time, but in no
event after the Exercise Expiration Date, (x) with respect to an Optionee who
upon termination of employment as an employee remains an Eligible Individual,
for six (6) months following such date as the Optionee is no longer an Eligible
Individual or (y) with respect to an Optionee who is receiving severance
payments, for six (6) months following the date of the cessation of such
payments, provided, however, in no event shall the Option remain outstanding
following the thirty (30) month anniversary of the date of termination of
employment.
 
8.  
Nontransferability.

 
Unless otherwise agreed to by the Committee, the Option shall not be
transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and
during the lifetime of the Optionee, the Option shall be exercisable only by the
Optionee.
 
9.  
No Right to Continued Employment.

 
Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall be interpreted or construed to
confer upon the Optionee any right with respect to continuance of employment by
the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, nor shall this
Agreement or the Plan interfere in any way with the right of the Company to
terminate the Optionee’s employment or service at any time.
 
10.  
Adjustments.

 
10.1 Change in Capitalization.  In the event of a Change in Capitalization, the
Committee shall make appropriate adjustments to (i) the number and class of
Shares or other stock or securities subject to the Option, (ii) the purchase
price for such Shares or other stock or securities, or (iii) with respect to the
Performance-Vesting Options, the applicable Share price performance
metrics.  The Committee’s adjustment shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of the Plan and shall be effective and final, binding and conclusive
for all purposes of the Plan and this Agreement.
 
10.2 Dividends and Other Distributions.  If the Company (i) makes distributions
(by dividend or otherwise), (ii) grants rights to purchase securities to
existing shareholders as a group, or (iii) issues securities to existing
shareholders as a group (other than pursuant to (a) any equity awards granted
under the Company’s equity incentive compensation plans or (b) warrants issued
with an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value on the date of grant), in
the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) at a price below Fair Market Value, and in
each case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), (an “Extraordinary Distribution”),
then to reflect such Extraordinary Distribution, this Option shall be adjusted
to retain the pre-Extraordinary Distribution spread by decreasing the Exercise
Price, in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code; provided that with
respect to any vested portion of this Option, the Committee, in its sole
discretion, may
 
 
 
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provide that, in lieu of such adjustment, the Optionee shall be entitled to
receive the amount of, and the benefits and rights associated with, such
Extraordinary Distribution in the same form and on the same terms as the
Extraordinary Distribution paid or provided to the Company’s shareholders based
upon the number of Shares underlying such vested portion of the Option.  Any
adjustment described in this Section 10.2 shall be implemented in accordance
with, and to the extent permitted by, Treasury Regulation §
1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(D).
 
11.  
Effect of a Merger, Consolidation or Liquidation.

 
Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, in the event of (a) the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (b) a merger or consolidation of
the Company (a “Transaction”) that does not constitute a Change in Control, the
Options shall continue in effect in accordance with their respective terms,
except that the Committee may, in its discretion, do one or more of the
following: (i) shorten the period during which the Options are exercisable
(provided they remain exercisable for at least thirty (30) days after the date
on which notice of such shortening is given to the Optionee); (ii) accelerate
the vesting schedule with respect to the Options, (iii) arrange to have the
surviving or successor entity assume the Options or grant replacement Options
with appropriate adjustments in the exercise prices, and adjustments in the
number and kind of securities issuable upon exercise or adjustments so that the
Options or their replacements represent the right to purchase or receive the
stock, securities or other property (including cash) as may be issuable or
payable as a result of such Transaction with respect to or in exchange for the
number of Shares purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the Options had
such exercise occurred in full prior to the Transaction, or (iv) cancel the
Options upon the payment to the Optionee in cash of an amount that is equal to
the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Option or portion thereof
over the aggregate exercise price for such Shares under the Option or portion
thereof surrendered at the effective time of the Transaction.  The treatment of
any Option as provided in this Section 11 shall be conclusively presumed to be
appropriate for purposes of Section 10 of the Plan.
 
12.  
Withholding of Taxes.

 
At such times as the Optionee recognizes taxable income in connection with the
receipt of Shares hereunder (a “Taxable Event”), the Optionee shall pay to the
Company an amount equal to the federal, state and local income taxes and other
amounts as may be required by law to be withheld by the Company in connection
with the Taxable Event (the “Withholding Taxes”) prior to the issuance, or
release from escrow, of such Shares.  The Company shall have the right to deduct
from any payment to an Optionee an amount equal to the Withholding Taxes in
satisfaction of the obligation to pay Withholding Taxes.  In satisfaction of the
obligation to pay Withholding Taxes to the Company, the Optionee may make a
written election (the “Tax Election”), which may be accepted or rejected in the
discretion of the Committee, to have withheld a portion of the Shares then
issuable to him or her having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the
Withholding Taxes.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its
discretion, provide that an Optionee shall not be entitled to exercise his or
her Options for which cash has not been provided by the Optionee with respect to
the applicable Withholding Taxes.
 
 
 
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13.  
Excise Tax Limitation.

 
13.1 Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, to
the extent that any payment, distribution or acceleration of vesting to or for
the benefit of the Optionee by the Company (within the meaning of Section 280G
of the Code and the regulations thereunder), whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise (the “Total Payments”) is or will be subject to the excise tax imposed
under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Total Payments shall
be reduced (but not below zero) if and to the extent that a reduction in the
Total Payments would result in the Optionee retaining a larger amount, on an
after-tax basis (taking into account federal, state and local income taxes and
the Excise Tax), than if the Optionee received the entire amount of such Total
Payments.  Unless the Optionee shall have given prior written notice specifying
a different order to the Company to effectuate the foregoing in accordance with
Code Section 409A, the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Total Payments, by
first reducing or eliminating the portion of the Total Payments which are
payable in cash and then by reducing or eliminating non-cash payments, in each
case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits which are to be paid
the farthest in time from the Determination (as hereinafter defined).  Any
notice given by the Optionee pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take
precedence over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or agreement
governing the Optionee’s rights and entitlements to any benefits or
compensation.
 
13.2 The determination of whether the Total Payments shall be reduced as
provided in Section 12.2(a) of the Plan and the amount of such reduction shall
be made at the Company’s expense by an accounting firm selected by the Company
from among the four largest accounting firms in the United States or at the
Company’s expense by an attorney selected by the Company.  Such accounting firm
or attorney (the “Determining Party”) shall provide its determination (the
“Determination”), together with detailed supporting calculations and
documentation to the Company and the Optionee within thirty (30) days of the
termination of Optionee’s employment.  If the Determining Party determines that
no Excise Tax is payable by the Optionee with respect to the Total Payments, it
shall furnish the Optionee with an opinion reasonably acceptable to the Optionee
that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to any such payments and, absent
manifest error, such Determination shall be binding, final and conclusive upon
the Company and the Optionee.  If the Determining Party determines that an
Excise Tax would be payable, the Optionee shall have the right to accept the
Determination of the Determining Party as to the extent of the reduction, if
any, pursuant to Section 12.2(a) of the Plan, or to have such Determination
reviewed by an accounting firm selected by the Optionee, at the Optionee’s
expense.  If the Optionee's accounting firm and the Determining Party do not
agree, a third accounting firm shall be jointly chosen by the Determining Party
and the Optionee, in which case the determination of such third accounting firm
shall be binding, final and conclusive upon the Company and the Optionee.
 
14.  
Optionee Bound by the Plan.

 
The Optionee hereby acknowledges that the Optionee may receive a copy of the
Plan upon request to the Plan Administrator and agrees to be bound by all the
terms and provisions of the Plan.
 
 
 
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15.  
Entire Agreement; Modification of Agreement.

 
This Agreement, together with the Plan, contains the entire agreement between
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and,
except as otherwise specifically provided herein, supersedes all prior
agreements or prior understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties
relating to such subject matter.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Optionee
acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
in any employment agreement between the Optionee and the Company, the vesting of
the Option, including, without limitation, upon a termination of the Optionee’s
employment and upon a Change in Control, shall be governed by the terms of this
Agreement.  This Agreement may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated by
the Committee in its discretion at any time, and any terms or conditions may be
waived by the Committee in its discretion at any time; provided, however, that
all such modifications, amendments, suspensions, terminations or waivers that
shall adversely effect an Optionee shall only be effective pursuant to a written
instrument executed by the parties hereto.
 
16.  
Severability.

 
Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining
provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected by such holding and shall
continue in full force in accordance with their terms.
 
17.  
Governing Law.

 
The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to
the conflicts of laws principles thereof.
 
18.  
Successors in Interest.

 
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor
to the Company.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Optionee’s
legal representatives.  All obligations imposed upon the Optionee and all rights
granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be final, binding and
conclusive upon the Optionee’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors.
 
19.  
Resolution of Disputes.

 
Any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any
way relate to, the interpretation, construction or application of this Agreement
shall be determined by the Committee.  Any determination made hereunder shall be
final, binding and conclusive on the Optionee and Company for all purposes.
 
 
 
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20.  
Acquired Rights.

 
The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Company may terminate or
amend the Plan at any time; (b) the award of the Option made under this
Agreement is completely independent of any other award or grant and is made at
the sole discretion of the Company; (c) no past grants or awards (including,
without limitation, the Option awarded hereunder) give the Optionee any right to
any grants or awards in the future whatsoever; and (d) any benefits granted
under this Agreement are not part of the Optionee’s ordinary salary, and shall
not be considered as part of such salary in the event of severance, redundancy
or resignation.
 
21.  
Counterparts.

 
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
 
22.  
Compliance with Laws.

 
The issuance of the Option (and the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option)
pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to, and shall comply with, any
applicable requirements of any foreign and U.S. federal and state securities
laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of
any Securities Laws and in each case any respective rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder) and any other law or regulation applicable thereto.  The
Company shall not be obligated to issue the Option or any of the Shares pursuant
to this Agreement if any such issuance would violate any such requirements.
 
23.  
Company Recoupment.

 
The Optionee’s right to the Option granted hereunder and the Shares acquired
upon exercise of the Option shall in all events be subject to any right or
obligation that the Company may have regarding the clawback of “incentive-based
compensation” under Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission.
 
 
 
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EXHIBIT A
 

 
Grant Award:

  Time-Vesting Options 193,750   Performance-Vesting Options 452,083   Total
Grant 645,833

 
Vesting:  Pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement
 
 
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