Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance







EXHIBIT 10.1




GMX RESOURCES INC.

2008 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

(Effective as of May 28, 2008)




ARTICLE I

PURPOSE




Section 1.1 Purpose. This GMX Resources Inc. 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is intended as an
incentive to managerial and other employees of GMX Resources Inc. (the “Company”) and any Subsidiary of the Company.
The Plan’s purposes are to retain employees, to attract new employees, to encourage the sense of proprietorship of such
persons, and to stimulate the active interest of such persons in the development and financial success of the Company.
The Plan is also intended to provide incentive to consultants to, and certain directors of, the Company and any
Subsidiary of the Company. Toward these objectives, the Plan provides for the grant of Options, Restricted Stock
Awards, Bonus Stock Awards, SARs, Performance Units and Performance Bonuses to Eligible Employees and the grant of
Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Bonus Stock Awards, SARs and Performance Units to Consultants and
Eligible Directors, subject to the conditions set forth in the Plan. Certain capitalized terms used in this Plan have
the meanings ascribed to them in Article II hereof.



Section 1.2 Effectiveness and Expiration of the Plan. The Plan was adopted by the Board to be effective as of May
28, 2008 (the “Effective Date”). The Plan is subject to approval by holders of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock,
which must be obtained within the twelve month period subsequent to Effective Date. The Plan is effective until May
28, 2018, unless earlier terminated pursuant Section 11.1. Notwithstanding any termination of the Plan, the Plan shall
continue in effect until all matters relating to the payment and administration of outstanding Awards have been
settled.



Section 1.3 Shares Subject to the Plan. Subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan, there shall be subject
to the Plan 750,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). Any shares
subject to the Plan that are not subject to Awards at the termination of the Plan shall cease to be subject to the
Plan; provided, however, that until termination of the Plan, the Company shall at all times make available a sufficient
number of shares to meet the requirements of the Plan. The shares subject to the Plan shall consist of authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock or shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company. Shares of Common Stock
shall be deemed to have been issued under the Plan only to the extent actually issued and delivered pursuant to an
Award. Any shares of Common Stock related to Awards that terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise
without the issuance of shares of Common Stock or are exchanged in the Board’s discretion for Awards not involving
shares of Common Stock, shall be available again for grant under the Plan and shall not be counted against the shares
of Common Stock authorized under this Section 1.3. In addition, shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan and
forfeited back to the Plan, shares of Common Stock surrendered in payment of the exercise price or purchase price of an
Award, and shares of Common Stock withheld for payment of applicable employment taxes and/or withholding obligations
associated with an Award shall again be available for the grant of an Award under the Plan. A maximum of 750,000 shares of Common Stock of the total authorized under this
Section 1.3 may be granted as Incentive Stock Options. The limitations of this Section 1.3 shall be subject to the
adjustment provisions of Article X.


 


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ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS




Section 2.1 “Award” means, individually or collectively, any Option, Restricted Stock Award, SAR, Performance Unit
or Performance Bonus granted under the Plan to an Eligible Employee by the Committee or any Nonqualified Stock Option,
Performance Unit, SAR or Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan to a Consultant by the Committee or an Eligible
Director by the Board pursuant to such terms, conditions, restrictions, and/or limitations, if any, as the Committee
may establish by the Award Agreement or otherwise.



Section 2.2 “Award Agreement” means any written instrument that establishes the terms, conditions, restrictions,
and/or limitations applicable to an Award in addition to those established by this Plan and by the Committee’s exercise
of its administrative powers.



Section 2.3 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.




Section 2.4 “Bonus Stock Award” means an Award granted under Section 6.3.


Section 2.5 “Change of Control Event” means each of the following:





(a) An acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any voting securities of the Company (the
“Voting Securities”) by any “Person” (as the term person is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the
Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities;



(b) The individuals who, as of the Effective Date, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”),
cease for any reason to constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if
the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s common shareholders, of any new director was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of
this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual
shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of
either an actual or threatened “election contest” (as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange
Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than
the Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election
Contest or Proxy Contest; or



					
	 
	 		 	
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(c) The consummation of:



(i) A merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, unless: (A) the
shareholders of the Company, immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own,
directly or indirectly immediately following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, at least
sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the
corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation or reorganization (the “Surviving
Corporation”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities
immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization; (B) the individuals who were members
of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such merger,
consolidation or reorganization constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the board of
directors of the Surviving Corporation; and (C) no Person, other than the Company, any Subsidiary,
any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) maintained by the Company, the
Surviving Corporation, or any Subsidiary or any Person who, immediately prior to such merger,
consolidation or reorganization had Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the then
outstanding Voting Securities, has Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
combined voting power of the Surviving Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities;



(ii) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or



(iii) An agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company to any Person (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary).



Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely because any
Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the outstanding Voting
Securities as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company that, by reducing the number of Voting
Securities outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided
that if a Change in Control Event would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition
of Voting Securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the
Beneficial Owner of any additional Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding Voting
Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control Event shall be deemed to have occurred.



Section 2.6 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. References in the Plan to any Section of
the Code shall be deemed to include any amendments or successor provisions to such Section and any regulations under
such Section.



Section 2.7 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, provided, however, that with respect to
powers to grant and establish the terms of Awards to Eligible Directors and all other powers that are reserved to the Board under Section 2.3, references to
“Committee” shall be deemed to be references to Board.



					
	 
	 		 	
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Section 2.8 “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company, and after
substitution, such other stock as shall be substituted therefore as provided in Article X.



Section 2.9 “Consultant” means any person who is engaged by the Company or a Subsidiary to render consulting or
advisory services.



Section 2.10 “Date of Grant” means the date on which the grant of an Award is authorized by the Committee or such
later date as may be specified by the Committee in such authorization.



Section 2.11 “Eligible Employee” means any employee of the Company or a Subsidiary as approved by the Committee.



Section 2.12 “Eligible Director” means any member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or a
Subsidiary.



Section 2.13 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.



Section 2.14 “Fair Market Value” means the average of the high and low sales prices of the shares of Common Stock
on any national securities exchange on which the shares are listed on the day on which such value is to be determined
or, if no shares were traded on such day, on the next preceding day on which shares were traded, as reported by such
exchange, by National Quotation Bureau, Inc. or other national quotation service. If the Common Stock is not listed on
a national securities exchange, Fair Market Value means the average of the closing “bid” and “asked” prices of the
shares of Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the date on which such value is to be determined or, if such
prices are not available, the last sales price on such day or, if no shares were traded on such day, on the next
preceding day on which the shares were traded, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic
Quotation System (NASDAQ) or other national quotation service. If at any time shares of Common Stock are not traded on
an exchange or in the over-the-counter market, Fair Market Value shall be the value determined by the Committee, taking
into consideration those factors affecting or reflecting value that they deem appropriate. For purposes of determining
the purchase price of an Incentive Stock Option, Fair Market Value shall in any event be determined in accordance with
Sections 422 and 409A of the Code.



Section 2.15 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.



Section 2.16 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option.



					
	 
	 		 	
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Section 2.17 “Option” means an Award granted under Article V of the Plan and includes both Nonqualified Stock
Options and Incentive Stock Options to purchase shares of Common Stock.



Section 2.18 “Participant” means an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or an Eligible Director to whom an Award has
been granted under the Plan.



Section 2.19 “Performance Bonus” means the cash bonus which may be granted to Eligible Employees under Article IX
of the Plan.



Section 2.20 “Performance Measures” means any of the operational, financial or stock performance criteria set
forth on Exhibit A annexed hereto, or any combination thereof, or as may from time to time otherwise be
specified by the Committee. The Performance Measures may be absolute, relative to one or more other companies, or
relative to one or more indexes.



Section 2.21 “Performance Unit” means the monetary unit, having a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one
share of Common Stock, as provided by the terms of an Award Agreement evidencing such Award, that may be granted to
Eligible Employees, Consultants or Eligible Directors pursuant to Article VIII hereof.



Section 2.22 “Plan” means this GMX Resources Inc. 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan.



Section 2.23 “Restricted Stock Award” means an Award granted to an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible
Director under Article VI of the Plan.



Section 2.24 “SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted to an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible
Director under Article VII of the Plan.



Section 2.25 “Subsidiary” shall have the same meaning set forth in Section 424 of the Code. The term “Subsidiary”
as used in this Plan shall include the plural of the term, if applicable.



ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION




Section 3.1 Administration of the Plan. The Committee shall have the power and authority to administer the Plan.
Pursuant to Section 3.2, the Committee shall also be authorized to administer Awards granted by the Board to Eligible
Directors. The Committee may designate persons, other than members of the Committee (including certain officers of the
Company), to carry out its responsibilities under such conditions and limitations as it may prescribe, except that the
Committee may not delegate its authority with regard to selection for participation of, and the granting of Awards to,
persons subject to Sections 16(a) and 16(b) of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code.



Subject to the provisions of the Plan and except as provided otherwise in Section 3.2, the Committee shall have
exclusive power to:



(a) Select Eligible Employees and Consultants to participate in the Plan;



					
	 
	 		 	
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(b) Determine the time or times when Awards will be made to Eligible Employees and Consultants;



(c) Determine the form of an Award, whether an Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option,
Restricted Stock Award, SAR, Performance Unit, or Performance Bonus, the number of shares of Common Stock or
Performance Units subject to the Award, the amount and all the terms, conditions (including performance
requirements, if any), restrictions and/or limitations, if any, of an Award, including the time and conditions
of exercise or vesting, and the terms of any Award Agreement, which may include the waiver or amendment of
prior terms and conditions or acceleration or early vesting or payment of an Award under certain circumstances
determined by the Committee;



(d) Determine whether Awards will be granted singly or in combination;



(e) Accelerate the vesting, exercise or payment of an Award or the performance period of an Award;



(f) Take any and all other action it deems necessary or advisable for the proper operation or
administration of the Plan.



Section 3.2 Grants to Eligible Directors. The Board shall have the exclusive power to select Eligible Directors to
participate in the Plan and to determine the number of Nonqualified Stock Options, Performance Units, SARs, shares of
Restricted Stock or shares of Bonus Stock awarded to Eligible Directors selected for participation and the terms of
such Awards. The Committee shall administer all other aspects of the Awards made to Eligible Directors. For purposes of
the Plan, references to the “Committee” shall be deemed to be references to the Board with respect to the powers
reserved exclusively to the Board pursuant to this Section.



Section 3.3 Committee to Make Rules and Interpret Plan. The Committee in its sole discretion shall have the
authority, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to establish, adopt, or revise such rules and regulations and to make
all such determinations relating to the Plan, as it may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan or any Awards and all decisions and determinations by the Board with respect
to the Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.



Section 3.4 Section 162(m) Provisions. It is the intent of the Company for the Plan and the Awards made hereunder
to qualify for the exception from Section 162(m) of the Code for “qualified performance based compensation” if it is
determined by the Committee that such qualification is necessary for an Award. Accordingly, if the Committee intends
for an Award to be granted and administered in a manner designed to preserve the deductibility of the resulting
compensation in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, then the Performance Measures to be achieved by the
Company, or any Subsidiary, division, or department, applicable to such Award shall be (i) measured for a prescribed
period, as determined by the Committee, consisting of not less than one year; and (ii) established in writing by the
Committee no later than the earlier of (a) 90 days after the commencement of the relevant performance period and (b)
the date as of which 25% of the performance period has elapsed. The Committee’s discretion to modify an



					
	 
	 		 	
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Award to change or otherwise waive a Performance Measure to allow the vesting of the Award may be restricted in
order to comply with Section 162(m). Further, the granting of any Award intended to be “qualified performance based
compensation” shall be administered by a committee of, and appointed by, the Board that shall be comprised solely of
two or more outside directors (within the meaning of the term “outside directors” as used in Section 162(m) of the Code
and applicable interpretive authority thereunder and within the meaning of the term “Non-Employee Director” as defined
in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act).



Section 3.5 Section 409A Provisions. It is the intent of the Company that no Award under the Plan be considered
“deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, including awards paid pursuant to a Change in Control
Event. The Committee shall design and administer the Awards under the Plan so that they are not subject to Section 409A
of the Code.



ARTICLE IV

GRANT OF AWARDS




Section 4.1 Grant of Awards. Awards granted under this Plan shall be subject to the following conditions:



(a) Subject to the adjustment provisions of Article X, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
made subject to the grant of Options and/or SARs to any Eligible Employee in any calendar year may not exceed
200,000 shares, such limitations to be applied in a manner consistent with the requirements of, and only to
the extent required for compliance with, the exclusion from the limitation or deductibility of compensation
under Section 162(m) of the Code.



(b) Subject to the adjustment provisions of Article X, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
made subject to the grant of Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Unit Awards (presuming such Performance
Unit Awards will be paid in shares of Common Stock) to any Eligible Employee in any calendar year may not
exceed 200,000, subject to the adjustment provisions of Article X, such limitations to be applied in a manner
consistent with the requirements of, and only to the extent required for compliance with, the exclusion from
the limitation or deductibility of compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.



(c) The maximum amount made subject to the grant of Performance Bonuses to any Eligible Employee in any
calendar year may not exceed $1,000,000.



(d) The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine the manner in which fractional shares arising
under this Plan shall be treated.



(e) Separate certificates or a book-entry registration representing shares of Common Stock shall be
delivered to a Participant pursuant to an Award contemplating delivery of shares of Common Stock; provided,
however, any shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may be held in the custody of the
Company until the vesting conditions of such Award are satisfied.



					
	 
	 		 	
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(f) The maximum term of any Award shall be ten years.



ARTICLE V

STOCK OPTIONS




Section 5.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such
other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Options to Eligible Employees. These Options may be Incentive
Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination of both. The Committee may, subject to the provisions of
the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Nonqualified Stock Options to Eligible
Directors and Consultants. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement executed by the Company and
the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time
approve, subject to the requirements of Section 5.2. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of
grant, all Options shall become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the total shares subject to the Option on each of the
first four (4) anniversary dates of the Date of Grant. The Committee shall also be entitled to accelerate the date any
outstanding Option becomes exercisable at any time.



Section 5.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:



(a) Price. The purchase price for each share placed under Option pursuant to the Plan shall be
determined by the Committee, but shall in no event be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share on
the Date of Grant.



(b) Term. In the event of the death of a Participant while in the employ of the Company, any unvested
portion of the Option as of the date of death shall be vested as of the date of death and the Option shall be
exercisable in full by the heirs or other legal representatives of the Participant within twelve (12) months
following the date of death. In the event of termination of employment for any reason other than death or
termination for cause (and except as otherwise provided in Section 5.2(e) below) such Option shall be
exercisable by the employee or his legal representative within three (3) months of the date of termination as
to all then vested portions. In addition, the Committee may in its sole discretion, approve acceleration of
the vesting of any unvested portions of the Option. If a Participant’s employment with the Company is
terminated for cause, the Option shall terminate as of the date of such termination of employment and the
Participant shall have no further rights to exercise any portion of the Option. “Termination for cause” means
any discharge for violation of the policies and procedures of the Company or for other job performance or
conduct that is detrimental to the best interests of the Company, as determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, in no event may an Option be exercised more than ten (10)
years after the Date of Grant.






					
	 
	 		 	
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 (c) Method of Exercise. Options may be exercised, whether in whole or in part, by written notification to
the Company accompanied by cash or a certified check for the aggregate purchase price of the number of shares
being purchased, or upon exercise of an Option, the Participant shall be entitled (unless otherwise provided
in the Award Agreement evidencing the Option), without the requirement of further approval or other action by the
Committee, to pay for the shares (i) by tendering shares of stock of the Company owned by the Participant with
such stock to be valued at the Fair Market Value on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise; (ii)
with a combination of cash and shares of stock of the Company owned by the Participant; (iii) by surrendering
a portion of the Option with such surrendered Option to be valued based on the difference between the Fair
Market Value of the shares of stock surrendered on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise and the
aggregate Option purchase price of the shares of stock surrendered (“Surrender Value”), or (iv) with a
combination of cash, shares of stock of the Company owned by the Participant and surrendered Options;
provided, however, the surrender of shares of stock of the Company or Options shall not be permitted if such
surrender will result in any adverse accounting treatment to the Company without the Committee’s prior
approval. The Committee may also permit Participants, either on a selective or aggregate basis, to
simultaneously exercise Options and sell the shares of Common Stock thereby acquired, pursuant to a brokerage
or similar arrangement, approved in advanced by the Committee, and use the proceeds from such sale as payment
of the purchase price of the shares being acquired upon exercise of any Option.



(d) Limitations Applicable to Incentive Stock Options. Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock
Options shall only be granted to Eligible Employees of the Company or any Subsidiary. To the extent that the
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the respective Incentive Stock Option is granted) of stock
with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any
calendar year under all Incentive Stock Option plans of the Company and any Subsidiary exceeds $100,000, such
Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. The Committee shall determine, in
accordance with applicable provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations and other administrative
pronouncements, which of a Participant’s Incentive Stock Options will not constitute Incentive Stock Options
because of such limitation and shall notify the Participant of such determination as soon as practicable after
such determination. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an Eligible Employee if, at the time the
Option is granted, such Eligible Employee owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the
Code, unless (i) at the time such Option is granted the option price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value
of the Common Stock subject to the Option and (ii) such Option by its terms is not exercisable after the
expiration of five years from the Date of Grant. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 421 or 422 of the
Code, an Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant or the
Participant’s guardian or legal representative.



(e) Continued Service as a Director. Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, for
purposes of Section 5.2(b) above, in the event a Participant who is also a director of the Company ceases to
be employed by the Company but continues to serve as a director of the Company, such Participant’s Options
shall not expire three (3) months following the date of termination of employment with the



					
	 
	 		 	
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Company as is provided in Section 5.2(b) above, but instead shall continue in full force and effect until
such Participant ceases to be a director of the Company, but in no event beyond the stated expiration date of
the Options as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Termination of any such Option in connection with
the Participant’s termination of service as a director shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section
5.2(b) above; provided, however, that (i) the terms “employ” and “employment” as used therein shall be
replaced with the terms “service” and “service on the Board of Directors,” respectively, and (ii) the phrase
“termination for cause” shall mean any removal from the Board of Directors for cause in accordance with
applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company.



(f) Shareholder Rights. No Participant shall have a right as a shareholder with respect to any share of
Common Stock subject to an Option prior to purchase of such shares of Common Stock by exercise of the Option.



(g) Options and Rights in Substitution for Options Granted by Other Employers. Options and SARs may be
granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for options and such rights held by individuals
providing services to corporations or other entities who become Eligible Employees, Consultants, or Eligible
Directors as a result of a merger or consolidation or other business transaction with the Company or any
Subsidiary.



ARTICLE VI

RESTRICTED STOCK AND BONUS STOCK AWARDS




Section 6.1 Grant of Restricted Stock and Bonus Stock Awards. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the
provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Restricted Stock Awards and/or
Bonus Stock Awards to Eligible Employees, Consultants and Eligible Directors. Restricted Stock Awards and Bonus Stock
Awards shall be awarded in such number and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Committee shall determine.
Each Restricted Stock Award and Bonus Stock Award shall be subject to an Award Agreement setting forth the terms of
such Award, which may or may not be subject to the achievement of Performance Measures, and may be evidenced in such
manner as the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, a book-entry registration or issuance of a
stock certificate or certificates.



Section 6.2 Conditions of Restricted Stock Awards. The grant of a Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to the
following:



(a) Restriction Period. Restricted Stock Awards granted to an Eligible Employee shall require the holder
to remain in the employment of the Company or a Subsidiary for a prescribed period. The purchase price, if
any, for shares of Common Stock issued in connection with a Restricted Stock Award shall be determined by the
Committee, in its sole discretion. Restricted Stock Awards granted to Consultants or Eligible Directors shall
require the holder to provide continued services to the Company or a Subsidiary for a period of time. Each
such employment and/or service requirement is referred to herein as a “Restriction Period.” The Committee
shall determine the



					
	 
	 		 	
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Restriction Period which shall apply to the shares of Common Stock covered by each Restricted Stock Award
or portion thereof. At the end of a Restriction Period, assuming the fulfillment of any other specified
vesting conditions, such restrictions as have been imposed by the Committee shall lapse with respect to the
 shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Award or portion thereof; provided, however, if the
vesting conditions are not satisfied at the end of a Restriction Period, the shares of Common Stock covered by
the Restricted Stock Award will be forfeited back to the Company. In addition to acceleration of vesting upon
the occurrence of a Change of Control Event as provided in Section 10.2(c), the Committee may, in its
discretion, accelerate the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award upon the termination of employment other than
for cause by a Participant who is an Eligible Employee or resignation of a Participant who is a Consultant or
an Eligible Director.



(b) Restrictions. The holder of a Restricted Stock Award may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange,
hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of the shares of Common Stock represented by the Restricted Stock Award
during the applicable Restriction Period. The Committee shall impose such other restrictions and conditions on
any shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Award as it may deem advisable including, without
limitation, restrictions under applicable Federal or state securities laws, and may legend the certificates
representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.



(c) Rights as Shareholders. The holder of a Restricted Stock Award shall have the right to vote and to
receive dividends unless otherwise determined by the Committee for any award or awards. If any dividends or
other distributions are paid in shares of Common Stock, all such shares shall be subject to the same
restrictions on transferability and potential forfeiture as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to
which they were paid.



Section 6.3 Conditions of Bonus Stock Awards. Each Bonus Stock Award granted to a Participant shall constitute a
transfer of unrestricted shares of Common Stock on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. Bonus
Stock Awards shall be made in shares of Common Stock and need not be subject to Performance Measures or to forfeiture.
The purchase price, if any, for shares of Common Stock issued in connection with a Bonus Stock Award shall be
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.



Section 6.4 162(m) Provisions. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article VI, any Restricted
Stock Award or Bonus Stock Award made subject to Performance Measures shall be granted and administered as provided in
Section 3.4 herein.



ARTICLE VII

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS




Section 7.1 Grant of SARs. The Committee may from time to time, in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions
of the Plan and subject to other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, grant SARs to Eligible Employees,
Consultants and Eligible Directors. SARs may be granted in tandem with an Option, in which event, the Participant has



					
	 
	 		 	
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the right to elect to exercise either the SAR or the Option. Upon the Participant’s election to exercise either
the SAR or the Option granted in tandem with such SAR, any unexercised Award of such tandem grant shall automatically
terminate. SARs may also be granted independently as an Award separate from an Option. Each grant of a SAR shall be
evidenced by an Award Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant and shall contain such terms and conditions
and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of the Plan. The
exercise price of the SAR shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant
of the SAR.



Section 7.2 Exercise and Payment. SARs granted under the Plan shall be exercisable in whole or in installments and
at such times as shall be provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement. Exercise of a SAR shall be by written
notice to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company at least two business days in advance of such exercise. The amount
payable with respect to each SAR shall be equal in value to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock on the exercise date over the exercise price of the SAR. Payment of amounts attributable to a SAR shall be
made in shares of Common Stock or cash as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, and the timing of such
payment shall be specified in the Award Agreement with respect to each SAR.



Section 7.3 Restrictions. In the event a SAR is granted in tandem with an Incentive Stock Option, the Committee
shall subject the SAR to restrictions necessary to ensure satisfaction of the requirements under Section 422 of the
Code. In the case of a SAR granted in tandem with an Incentive Stock Option to an Eligible Employee who owns more than
10% of the combined voting power of the Company or any Subsidiary on the date of such grant, the amount payable with
respect to each SAR shall be equal in value to the applicable percentage of the excess, if any, of the Fair Market
Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the exercise price of the SAR, which exercise price shall
not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR is granted.



ARTICLE VIII

PERFORMANCE UNITS




Section 8.1 Grant of Awards. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such
other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Performance Units to Eligible Employees, Consultants and Eligible
Directors. Each Performance Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement executed by the Company and the
Participant containing such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the
requirements of Section 8.2.



Section 8.2 Conditions of Awards; Payment. Each Performance Unit Award shall state the target, maximum and minimum
number of Performance Units payable upon the achievement of performance targets based on the Performance Measures.
Such performance targets may be made subject to adjustment for specified significant extraordinary items or events. The
Committee shall also establish such other terms and conditions as it deems appropriate to such Performance Unit Award.
The Performance Unit Award may be paid out in cash or Common Stock as determined in the sole discretion of the
Committee.



					
	 
	 		 	
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Section 8.3 162(m) Provisions. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article VIII, all
Performance Unit Awards shall be granted and administered as provided in Section 3.4 herein.



ARTICLE IX

PERFORMANCE BONUS




Section 9.1 Grant of Performance Bonus. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the
Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Performance Bonuses to certain Eligible Employees
selected for participation.



Section 9.2 Conditions of Award; Payment. The Committee will determine the amount to be paid as a Performance
Bonus upon the achievement of performance targets based on the Performance Measures. In order for any Participant to
be entitled to payment of a Performance Bonus, the applicable performance target(s) established by the Committee must
first be obtained or exceeded. Payment of a Performance Bonus shall be made within 60 days of the Committee’s
certification that the performance target(s) has been achieved unless the Participant has previously elected to defer
payment pursuant to a nonqualified deferred compensation plan adopted by the Company. Payment of a Performance Bonus
may be made in either cash or Common Stock as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.



Section 9.3 162(m) Provisions. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX, all
Performance Bonuses shall be granted and administered as provided in Section 3.4 herein.



ARTICLE X

RECAPITALIZATION OR REORGANIZATION




Section 10.1 No Effect on Right or Power. Subject to the other provisions of this Plan, the existence of the Plan
and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Board or the
shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in
the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of bonds,
debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks ahead of or affecting the Company’s capital stock or the rights
thereof, any issue of shares of Common Stock or shares of any other class of capital stock or warrants or rights to
acquire such shares, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its
assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding.



Section 10.2 Change in Control Events.



(a) Effect on Options. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Event, in addition to any adjustments
required by Section 10.3, no later than (i) 10 days after the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
merger, consolidation, reorganization, sale, lease or exchange of assets or dissolution or (ii) 30 days after
a Change of Control Event of the type described in clause (a) of the definition of “Change of Control Event,”
the Committee, acting in its sole discretion without the consent or approval of any



					
	 
	 		 	
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Participant, shall effect one or more of the following alternatives, which alternatives may vary among
individual Participants and which may vary among Options held by any individual Participant: (1) accelerate
the time at which Options then outstanding may be exercised so that such Options may be exercised in full for
a limited period of time on or before a specified date (before or after such Change of Control Event) fixed by
the Committee, after which specified date all unexercised Options and all rights of Participants thereunder
shall terminate, (2) require the mandatory surrender to the Company by all or selected Participants of some or
all of the outstanding Options held by such Participants (irrespective of whether such Options are then
exercisable under the provisions of the Plan) as of a date, before or after such Change of Control Event,
specified by the Committee, in which event the Committee shall thereupon cancel such Options and the Company
shall pay (or cause to be paid) to each Participant an amount of cash per share equal to the excess, if any,
of the “Change of Control Value” (as calculated pursuant to Section 10.2(b) below) of the shares subject to
such Option over the exercise price(s) under such Options for such shares, or (3) make such adjustments to
Options then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such Change of Control Event (provided,
however, that the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that no adjustment is necessary to Options
then outstanding), including, without limitation, adjusting an Option to provide that the number and class of
 shares of Common Stock covered by such Option shall be adjusted so that such Option shall thereafter cover
securities of the surviving or acquiring corporation or other property (including, without limitation, cash),
as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.



(b) Change of Control Value. For purposes of Section 10.2(a) above, the “Change of Control Value” shall
equal the amount determined in clause (i), (ii) or (iii), whichever is applicable, as follows: (i) the per
share price offered to shareholders of the Company in a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or dissolution
transaction whereby a Change of Control Event takes place, (ii) the price per share offered to shareholders of
the Company in any tender offer or exchange offer whereby a Change of Control Event takes place, or (iii) if
such Change of Control Event occurs other than pursuant to a tender or exchange offer, the Fair Market Value
per share of the shares into which such Options being surrendered are exercisable, as determined by the
Committee as of the date determined by the Committee to be the date of cancellation and surrender of such
Options. In the event that the consideration offered to shareholders of the Company in any transaction
described in this Section 10.2 consists of anything other than cash, the Committee shall determine the fair
cash equivalent of the portion of the consideration offered that is other than cash.



(c) Effect on Other Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary,
specifically including Section 3.4 for Awards subject to Performance Measures, Awards granted under the Plan
to any Eligible Employee, Consultant or Eligible Director shall be immediately vested, fully earned and
exercisable upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Event unless otherwise determined by the Committee,
which may, acting in its sole discretion without the consent or approval of any Participant, require all or
selected Participants to surrender to the Company some or all of the outstanding Performance Bonus Awards and
Performance Unit Awards as of a date, before or after a Change of Control Event, specified by the Committee.
Upon the surrender of a Performance Bonus Award or Performance Unit Award, the Committee shall cancel or arrange
for the cancellation of Awards in exchange for cash payments, equity securities or other consideration to
Participants, on such terms as the Committee determines are appropriate.



					
	 
	 		 	
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Section 10.3 Changes in Capitalization; Reorganizations. In the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock
by reason of recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations, split-ups, split-offs,
spin-offs, stock splits or dividends, exchanges or other relevant changes in capitalization or extraordinary
distributions to the holders of Common Stock occurring after the Date of Grant of any Award and not otherwise provided
for by this Article X, such Award and any Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall be subject to adjustment by the
Committee in its sole discretion as to the number and price of shares of Common Stock or other consideration subject to
such Award. In the event of any such change in the outstanding Common Stock or extraordinary distribution to the
holders of Common Stock, or upon the occurrence of any other event described in this Article X, the aggregate maximum
number of shares available under the Plan, the aggregate maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan
through Incentive Stock Options, Options generally, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Unit Awards, and the
maximum number of shares that may be subject to Awards granted to any one individual may be appropriately adjusted to
the extent such adjustment is appropriate as determined by the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive,
subject to any approval of the shareholders required by any stock exchange or in order to comply with any tax
qualification requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock by the
Company for cash or other consideration that does not affect the holders of shares of Common Stock other than by
diluting their interests will not result in any adjustment to any Award.



Section 10.4 Shareholder Action. Any adjustment provided for in this Article X shall be subject to any required
shareholder action.



Section 10.5 No Adjustments Unless Otherwise Provided. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, the issuance by
the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash,
property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon
conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case
whether or not for fair value, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per share, if applicable.
The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine the manner in which fractional shares arising pursuant to any
such adjustment.



ARTICLE XI

GENERAL




Section 11.1 Amendment or Termination of Plan. The Committee may at any time amend, alter or discontinue the Plan
in such manner as it may deem advisable. Any such amendment or alteration may be effected without the approval of the
shareholders of the Company, except to the extent such approval may be required by applicable laws or by the rules of
any securities exchange upon which the Company’s outstanding shares are admitted to listed trading. No amendment, alteration or discontinuation of the Plan shall adversely affect Awards made prior to the
time of such amendment, alteration or discontinuation, except with the consent of the Participants.



					
	 
	 		 	
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Section 11.2 Amendments to Awards. The Committee may at any time unilaterally amend the terms of any Award
Agreement, whether or not presently exercisable or vested, to the extent it deems appropriate. However, amendments that
would impair the rights of a Participant with respect to an Award theretofore granted shall require the Participant’s
consent.



Section 11.3 Termination of Employment; Termination of Service. Except as expressly provided by the terms of this
Plan, in the event an Eligible Employee or a Consultant ceases to provide services to the Company or an Eligible
Director terminates service as a director of the Company, the unvested portion of any Award shall be forfeited unless
otherwise accelerated pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement evidencing such Award or by the Committee.



Section 11.4 Limited Transferability — Options. During a Participant’s lifetime, an Option may be exercisable only
by the Participant, and Options granted under the Plan and the rights and privileges conferred thereby shall not be
subject to execution, attachment or similar process and may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in
any manner (whether by operation of law or otherwise) other than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and
distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provisions of the Plan, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit recipients of Nonqualified Stock Options to transfer such
Options by gift or other means pursuant to which no consideration is given for such transfer. The Committee shall
impose in connection with any Nonqualified Stock Options transferred pursuant to the foregoing sentence such
limitations and restrictions as it deems appropriate. No transfer pursuant to this Section 11.4 shall be effective to
bind the Company unless the Company shall have been furnished with written notice of such transfer together with such
other documents regarding the transfer as the Committee shall request. Any other attempt to transfer, assign, pledge,
hypothecate or otherwise dispose of any Option under the Plan or of any right or privilege conferred thereby, contrary
to the provisions of the Plan, or the sale or levy or any attachment or similar process upon the rights and privileges
conferred thereby, shall be null and void ab initio. With the exception of a transfer in compliance with the foregoing
provisions of this Section 11.4, all other types of Awards authorized under this Plan shall be transferable only by
will or the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, no such transfer shall be effective to bind the
Company unless the Committee has been furnished with written notice of such transfer and an authenticated copy of the
will and/or such other evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and the
acceptance by the transferee of the terms and conditions of such Award.



Section 11.5 Withholding Taxes. Unless otherwise paid by the Participant, the Company or a Subsidiary shall be
entitled to deduct from any payment under the Plan, regardless of the form of such payment, the amount of all
applicable income and employment taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payment or may require the
Participant to pay such tax prior to and as a condition of the making of such payment. In accordance with any
applicable administrative guidelines it establishes, the Committee may allow a Participant to pay



					
	 
	 		 	
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the amount of taxes required by law to be withheld from an Award by (i) directing the Company to withhold from any
payment of the Award a number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of payment equal to the
amount of the required withholding taxes or (ii) delivering to the Company previously owned shares of Common Stock
having a Fair Market Value on the date of payment equal to the amount of the required withholding taxes. However, any
payment made by the Participant pursuant to either of the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) shall not be permitted if it
would result in an adverse accounting charge with respect to such shares used to pay such taxes unless otherwise
approved by the Committee.




Section 11.6 Regulatory Approval and Listings. The Company from time to time shall take such steps as may
be necessary to cause the shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan to be registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and such other federal or state securities laws as may be applicable. The Company shall also from
time to time take such steps as may be necessary to list the shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan for trading
on such stock exchanges on which the Company’s then outstanding shares are admitted to listed trading.



Section 11.7 Right to Continued Employment. Participation in the Plan shall not give any Eligible Employee any
right to remain in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary, which reserves the right to terminate any Eligible
Employee at any time. Further, the adoption of this Plan shall not be deemed to give any Eligible Employee or any other
individual any right to be selected as a Participant or to be granted an Award.



Section 11.8 Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Board and each member of the Committee shall be fully
justified in relying or acting in good faith upon any report made by the independent public accountants of the Company
and any Subsidiary and upon any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any person or persons other
than himself or herself. In no event shall any person who is or shall have been a member of the Board or the Committee
be liable for any determination made or other action taken or any omission to act in reliance upon any such report or
information or for any action taken, including the furnishing of information, or failure to act, if in good faith.



Section 11.9 Construction. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine gender shall refer to both men and
women. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for the convenience of reference only, and in the event
of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.



Section 11.10 Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Oklahoma except as superseded by applicable federal law.



Section 11.11 Other Laws. The Board may refuse to issue or transfer any shares of Common Stock or other
consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such
shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the Company to recover the
same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant,
holder or beneficiary.



					
	 
	 		 	
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Section 11.12 No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor an Award shall create or be construed to create a
trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and a Participant or any other
person. To the extent that a Participant acquires the right to receive payments from the Company pursuant to an Award,
such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company.



Section 11.13 Other Bonus Plans. The Plan shall not be construed to limit the Company from awarding cash bonuses
to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, including discretionary bonuses, that are not required to meet any
specific performance criteria and are not intended to qualify as performance based compensation under Section 162(m) of
the Code.








					
	 
	 		 	
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EXHIBIT A


GMX Resources Inc.

2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan

Performance Criteria




Operational Criteria may include:




	•	 	Reserve additions/replacements







	•	 	Finding and development costs







	•	 	Production volume







	•	 	Production costs






Financial Criteria may include:




	•	 	Earnings







	•	 	Net income







	•	 	Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)







	•	 	Earnings per share







	•	 	Cash flow







	•	 	Cash flow per share







	•	 	EBITDA per share







	•	 	Operating income







	•	 	General and administrative expenses







	•	 	Debt to equity ratio







	•	 	Debt to cash flow







	•	 	Debt to EBITDA







	•	 	EBITDA to interest







	•	 	Return on assets







	•	 	Return on equity







	•	 	Return on invested capital







	•	 	Profit returns/margins






Stock Performance Criteria may include:




	•	 	Stock price appreciation







	•	 	Total shareholder return







	•	 	Relative stock price performance






 


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