Exhibit



EXHIBIT 10.1



WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY AMENDED AND 
RESTATED 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN 

INTRODUCTION
The name of this plan is the Westmoreland Coal Company Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan. The Plan is effective May 16, 2017, subject to approval of stockholders of the Company at the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 16, 2017. The Plan is an amendment and restatement of the plan adopted by the Board on February 20, 2014 and approved by the stockholders on May 20, 2014. The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable Westmoreland Coal Company and any Affiliate to attract and retain the types of Employees and Directors who will contribute to the Company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of Employees and Directors with those of the stockholders of the Company; and (c) promote the success of the Company’s business.
The persons eligible to receive Awards are the Employees and Directors of the Company and its Affiliates and such other individuals designated by the Committee who are reasonably expected to become Employees and Directors after the receipt of Awards. 
Awards that may be granted under the Plan include Incentive Stock Options, Non-qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Performance Share Awards, and Performance Compensation Awards.
Article 1. 
DEFINITIONS
		
	1.1
	Affiliate means a corporation or other entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company. 


		
	1.2
	Applicable Laws means the requirements related to or implicated by the administration of the Plan under applicable state corporate law, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.


		
	1.3
	Award means any right granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Non-qualified Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Performance Share Award or a Performance Compensation Award.


		
	1.4
	Award Agreement means a written agreement, contract, certificate or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under the Plan which may, in the discretion of the Company, be transmitted electronically to any Participant. Each Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. 


		
	1.5
	Beneficial Owner has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time.  The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning. 
		
	1.6
	Board means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted at any time. 


		
	1.7
	Cause means:


		
	(a)
	with respect to any Employee: (a) If the Employee is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Cause, the definition contained therein; or (b) if no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define Cause: (i) the commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) conduct that results in or is reasonably likely to result in harm to the reputation or business of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; or (iv) material violation of state or federal securities laws. 


		
	(b)
	with respect to any Director, a determination by a majority of the disinterested Board members that the Director has engaged in any of the following: (a) malfeasance in office; (b) gross misconduct or neglect; (c) false or fraudulent misrepresentation inducing the director’s appointment; (d) willful conversion of corporate funds; or (e) repeated failure to participate in Board meetings on a regular basis despite having received proper notice of the meetings in advance.


The Committee has the discretion to determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause. 
		
	1.8
	Change in Control means:


		
	(a)
	One Person (or more than one Person acting as a group) acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided that a Change in Control has not occurred if any Person (or more than one Person acting as a group) owns more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Company’s stock and acquires additional stock; 


		
	(b)
	One person (or more than one person acting as a group) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition) ownership of the Company’s stock possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of such corporation; 


		
	(c)
	A majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the Board before the date of appointment or election; or 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



		
	(d)
	One person (or more than one person acting as a group), acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisitions.


		
	1.9
	Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time. Any reference to a section of the Code includes a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.


		
	1.10
	Committee means a committee of one or more members of the Board appointed by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with Article 2.  


		
	1.11
	Common Stock means the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated by the Committee from time to time in substitution thereof.


		
	1.12
	Company means Westmoreland Coal Company, a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto. 


		
	1.13
	Continuous Service means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee or Director, is not interrupted or terminated.  The Participant’s Continuous Service has not terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service; provided that if any Award is subject to Code Section 409A, this sentence is only effective to the extent consistent with Code Section 409A.  For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Director of an Affiliate will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service.  The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service has been interrupted in the case of any leave of absence, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal or family leave of absence. 


		
	1.14
	Covered Employee has the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 162(m)(3), as interpreted by Internal Revenue Service Notice 2007-49. 


		
	1.15
	Director means a member of the Board. 


		
	1.16
	Disability means that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment; provided, however, for purposes of determining the term of an Incentive Stock Option, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Code Section 22(e)(3).  The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee.  Except in situations where the Committee is determining Disability for purposes of the term of an Incentive Stock Option, the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates. 


		
	1.17
	Disqualifying Disposition has the meaning set forth in Section 13.11.




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EXHIBIT 10.1



		
	1.18
	Effective Date means May 16, 2017, the date as of which this amended and restated Plan was adopted by the Board. 


		
	1.19
	Employee means any person, including an Officer or Director, employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, that, for purposes of determining eligibility to receive Incentive Stock Options, an Employee shall mean an employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Code Section 424.  Mere service as a Director or payment of a director’s fee by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or an Affiliate. 


		
	1.20
	Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 


		
	1.21
	Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock as determined (for so long as the Common Stock is readily tradable on an established securities market, including without limitation the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market) by reference to the closing sale price for the primary trading session in the principal U.S. market for the Common Stock on the date of grant.


		
	1.22
	Free Standing Rights has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a). 


		
	1.23
	Good Reason means: (a) If an Employee is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Good Reason, the definition contained therein; or (b) if no such agreement exists or if such agreement does not define Good Reason, the occurrence of one or more of the following without the Participant’s express written consent, which circumstances are not remedied by the Company within 30 days of its receipt of a written notice from the Participant describing the applicable circumstances (which notice must be provided by the Participant within 90 days of the Participant’s knowledge of the applicable circumstances): (i) any material, adverse change in the Participant’s duties, responsibilities, authority, title, status or reporting structure; (ii) a material reduction in the Participant’s base salary or bonus opportunity; or (iii) a geographical relocation of the Participant’s principal office location by more than 50 miles. 


		
	1.24
	Grant Date means the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award to a Participant that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later date is set forth in such resolution, then such date as is set forth in such resolution. 


		
	1.25
	Incentive Stock Option means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422. 


		
	1.26
	Incumbent Directors means individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board, provided that any individual becoming a Director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for Director without objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director. No individual initially 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be an Incumbent Director. 
		
	1.27
	Negative Discretion means the discretion authorized by the Plan to be applied by the Committee to eliminate or reduce the size of a Performance Compensation Award in accordance with Section 6.5 of the Plan; provided, that, the exercise of such discretion would not cause the Performance Compensation Award to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m). 


		
	1.28
	Non-Employee Director means a Director who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3. 


		
	1.29
	Non-qualified Stock Option means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. 


		
	1.30
	Officer means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 


		
	1.31
	Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan. 


		
	1.32
	Optionholder means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option. 


		
	1.33
	Option Exercise Price means the price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased upon the exercise of an Option. 


		
	1.34
	Outside Director means a Director who is an “outside director” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(e)(3) or any successor to such statute and regulation. 


		
	1.35
	Participant means an eligible person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award. 


		
	1.36
	Performance Compensation Award means any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Plan. 


		
	1.37
	Performance Criteria means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award under the Plan.  The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goals shall be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (or Affiliate, division, business unit or operational unit of the Company) and shall be limited to the following: (a) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); (b) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (c) net revenue or net revenue growth; (d) gross revenue; (e) gross profit or gross profit growth; (f) net operating profit (before or after taxes); (g) return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, or 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



sales; (h) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, and cash flow return on capital); (i) earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization; (j) gross or operating margins; (k) improvements in capital structure; (l) budget and expense management; (m) productivity ratios; (n) economic value added or other value added measurements; (o)share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return); (p) expense targets; (q) margins; (r) operating efficiency; (s) working capital targets; (t) enterprise value; (u) safety record; and (v) completion of acquisitions or business expansion.
Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or an Affiliate as a whole or any division, business unit or operational unit of the Company and/or an Affiliate or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Committee may select Performance Criterion (o) above as compared to various stock market indices.  The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of Performance Goals pursuant to the Performance Criteria specified in this paragraph.  To the extent required under Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall, within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Code Section 162(m)), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period.  In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit the Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Criteria without obtaining stockholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining stockholder approval. 
		
	1.38
	Performance Formula means, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulas applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of the Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period. 


		
	1.39
	Performance Goals means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. The Committee is authorized at any time during the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Code Section 162(m)), or at any time thereafter (but only to the extent the exercise of such authority after such period would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for the Performance Period to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m)), in its sole and absolute discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period to the extent permitted under Code Section 162(m) in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants based on the following events:  (a) asset write-downs; (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (e) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 (or any successor or pronouncement thereto) and/or in management’s 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year; (f) acquisitions or divestitures; (g) any other specific unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (h) foreign exchange gains and losses; and (i) a change in the Company’s fiscal year. 
		
	1.40
	Performance Period means the one or more periods of time not less than one fiscal quarter in duration, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Performance Compensation Award. 


		
	1.41
	Performance Share Award means any Award granted pursuant to Section 6.4 hereof. 


		
	1.42
	Performance Share means the grant of a right to receive a number of actual shares of Common Stock or share units based upon the performance of the Company during a Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.


		
	1.43
	Permitted Transferee means: (a) a member of the Optionholder’s immediate family (child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships), any person sharing the Optionholder’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Optionholder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Optionholder) own more than 50% of the voting interests; (b) third parties designated by the Committee in connection with a program established and approved by the Committee pursuant to which Participants may receive a cash payment or other consideration in consideration for the transfer of a Non-qualified Stock Option; and (c) such other transferees as may be permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion.


		
	1.44
	Plan means this Westmoreland Coal Company Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.


		
	1.45
	Related Rights has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a).


		
	1.46
	Restricted Period has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a). 


		
	1.47
	Restricted Stock Award means any Award granted pursuant to Section 6.2. 


		
	1.48
	Restricted Stock Unit Award means any Award granted pursuant to Section 6.3.


		
	1.49
	Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.


		
	1.50
	Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 


		
	1.51
	Stock Appreciation Right means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 6.1 to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash or shares equal to the number of shares 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (b) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement. 
		
	1.52
	Stock for Stock Exchange has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.


		
	1.53
	Ten Percent Stockholder means a person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Code Section 424(d)) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.


Article 2.     
ADMINISTRATION
		
	2.1
	AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEE.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee or, in the Board’s sole discretion, by the Board. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee’s charter and Applicable Laws, and in addition to other express powers and authorization conferred by the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority: 


		
	(a)
	to construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions; 


		
	(b)
	to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan; 


		
	(c)
	to authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;


		
	(d)
	to delegate its authority to one or more Officers of the Company with respect to Awards that do not involve Covered Employees or “insiders” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act;


		
	(e)
	to determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable Grant Date; 


		
	(f)
	from time to time to select, subject to the limitations set forth in this Plan, those Participants to whom Awards shall be granted; 


		
	(g)
	to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be made subject to each Award; 


		
	(h)
	to determine whether each Option is to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option; 


		
	(i)
	to prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including, without limitation, the exercise price and medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the Award Agreement relating to such grant; 


		
	(j)
	to determine the target number of Performance Shares to be granted pursuant to a Performance Share Award, the performance measures that will be used to establish 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



the performance goals, the performance period(s) and the number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant; 
		
	(k)
	to designate an Award (including a cash bonus) as a Performance Compensation Award and to select the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goals; 


		
	(l)
	to amend any outstanding Awards, including for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting (but with respect to vesting, only as provided in the Plan) or the term of any outstanding Award; provided, however, that if any such amendment impairs a Participant’s rights or increases a Participant’s obligations under his or her Award or creates or increases a Participant’s federal income tax liability with respect to an Award, such amendment shall also be subject to the Participant’s consent; 


		
	(m)
	to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to Employees under the Company’s employment policies; 


		
	(n)
	to make decisions with respect to outstanding Awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments; 


		
	(o)
	to interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; and 


		
	(p)
	to exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. 


The Committee also may modify the purchase price or the exercise price of any outstanding Award, provided that if the modification affects a repricing, stockholder approval shall be required before the repricing is effective. 
		
	2.2
	COMMITTEE DECISIONS FINAL.  All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.


		
	2.3
	DELEGATION.  The Committee, or if no Committee has been appointed, the Board, may delegate administration of the Plan to a committee or committees of one or more members of the Board, and the term “Committee” shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been delegated.  The Committee shall have the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board or the Committee shall thereafter be to the committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board.  The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan.  The members of the Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board.  From time to time, the Board may increase or decrease the size of the Committee, add additional members 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



to, remove members (with or without cause) from, appoint new members in substitution therefor, and fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee.  The Committee shall act pursuant to a vote of the majority of its members or, in the case of a Committee comprised of only two members, the unanimous consent of its members, whether present or not, or by the written consent of the majority of its members and minutes shall be kept of all of its meetings and copies thereof shall be provided to the Board.  Subject to the limitations prescribed by the Plan and the Board, the Committee may establish and follow such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may determine to be advisable. 
		
	2.4
	COMMITTEE COMPOSITION.  Except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors who are also Outside Directors. The Board shall have discretion to determine whether or not it intends to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3 and/or Code Section 162(m).  However, if the Board intends to satisfy such exemption requirements, with respect to Awards to any Covered Employee and with respect to any insider subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be a compensation committee of the Board that at all times consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors who are also Outside Directors. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may (a) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Outside Directors the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are either (i) not then Covered Employees and are not expected to be Covered Employees at the time of recognition of income resulting from such Award or (ii) not persons with respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with Code Section 162(m) or (b) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Nothing herein shall create an inference that an Award is not validly granted under the Plan in the event Awards are granted under the Plan by a compensation committee of the Board that does not at all times consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors who are also Outside Directors.


		
	2.5
	INDEMNIFICATION.  In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the extent allowed by Applicable Laws, the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Committee in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Committee in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, such Committee shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding. 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



Article 3.     
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
Subject to adjustment in accordance with Article 10, a total of 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock will be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan (all of which are eligible for issuance under Incentive Stock Options). Shares of Common Stock available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner.
Subject to adjustment in accordance with Article 10, no Participant may be granted, during any one year period, Awards of any type with respect to more than 150,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate. If an Award is to be settled in cash, the number of shares of Common Stock on which the Award is based will count toward such individual share limit. 
Any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award that is canceled, forfeited or expires prior to exercise or realization, either in full or in part, shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. To the extent that shares are: (a) tendered in payment of an Option, (b) delivered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation, or (c) covered by a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or other Awards that were not issued upon the settlement of the Award, then such shares will not again be available for issuance under the Plan. If an Award is to be settled in cash, the number of shares of Common Stock on which the Award is based will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
Article 4.     
ELIGIBILITY
		
	4.1
	ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIFIC AWARDS.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees and Directors and those individuals whom the Committee determines are reasonably expected to become Employees and Directors following the Grant Date. 


		
	4.2
	TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDERS.  A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the Option Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the Grant Date and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date. 


Article 5.     
STOCK OPTIONS
		
	5.1
	OPTION PROVISIONS.  Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Article 5, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.  All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Non-qualified Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to any Participant or any other person if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as such at any time or if an Option is determined to constitute 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



“nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and the terms of such Option do not satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A.  The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions: 
		
	(a)
	Term.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date.  The term of a Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Non-qualified Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date.


		
	(b)
	Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the Option Exercise Price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Code Section 424(a). 


		
	(c)
	Exercise Price of a Non-qualified Stock Option.  The Option Exercise Price of each Non-qualified Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Code Section 409A. 


		
	5.2
	CONSIDERATION.  The Option Exercise Price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations, either (a) in cash or by certified or bank check at the time the Option is exercised or (b) in the discretion of the Committee, upon such terms as the Committee shall approve, the Option Exercise Price may be paid: (i) by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) due for the number of shares being acquired, or by means of attestation whereby the Participant identifies for delivery specific shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of attestation equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) and receives a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the difference between the number of shares thereby purchased and the number of identified attestation shares of Common Stock (a “Stock for Stock Exchange”); (ii) a “cashless” exercise program established with a broker; (iii) by reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon exercise of such Option with a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price at the time of exercise; (iv)  any combination of the foregoing methods; or (v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee.  Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, the exercise price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that is paid by delivery 




12


EXHIBIT 10.1



(or attestation) to the Company of other Common Stock acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Common Stock of the Company that have been held for more than six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any period for which the Common Stock is publicly traded (i.e., the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system) an exercise by a Director or Officer that involves or may involve a direct or indirect extension of credit or arrangement of an extension of credit by the Company, directly or indirectly, in violation of Section 402(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall be prohibited with respect to any Award under this Plan. 
		
	5.3
	TRANSFERABILITY OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION.  An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option. 


		
	5.4
	TRANSFERABILITY OF A NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION.  A Non-qualified Stock Option may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be transferable to a Permitted Transferee, upon written approval by the Committee to the extent provided in the Award Agreement.  If the Non-qualified Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the Non-qualified Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option. 


		
	5.5
	VESTING OF OPTIONS.  Each Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal.  The Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Committee may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary.  No Option may be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock.  The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event. Each Option that vests solely based on the continued service of the Optionholder will have a minimum vesting period of one year following the date of grant. 


		
	5.6
	TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE.  Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or in an employment agreement the terms of which have been approved by the Committee, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder’s death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date three months following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that, if the 




13


EXHIBIT 10.1



termination of Continuous Service is by the Company for Cause, all outstanding Options (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable.  If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate. 
		
	5.7
	EXTENSION OF TERMINATION DATE.  An Optionholder’s Award Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service for any reason would be prohibited at any time because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other state or federal securities law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement or (b) the expiration of a period after termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service that is three months after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Option would be in violation of such registration or other securities law requirements. 


		
	5.8
	DISABILITY OF OPTIONHOLDER.  Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following such termination or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement.  If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate. 


		
	5.9
	DEATH OF OPTIONHOLDER.  Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option upon the Optionholder’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the date of death or (b) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement.  If, after the Optionholder’s death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate. 


		
	5.10
	INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION $100,000 LIMITATION.  To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Non-qualified Stock Options. 


Article 6.     
PROVISIONS OF AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS
		
	6.1
	STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.  




14


EXHIBIT 10.1



		
	(a)
	General.  Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 6.1, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in tandem with an Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”).


		
	(b)
	Related Right Grant Requirements.  Any Related Right that relates to a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted at the same time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter but before the exercise or expiration of the Option. Any Related Right that relates to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted at the same time the Incentive Stock Option is granted. 


		
	(c)
	Term of Stock Appreciation Rights.  The term of a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date.


		
	(d)
	Vesting of Stock Appreciation Rights.  Each Stock Appreciation Right may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal.  The Stock Appreciation Right may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised as the Committee may deem appropriate.  The vesting provisions of individual Stock Appreciation Rights may vary.  No Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock.  The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Stock Appreciation Right upon the occurrence of a specified event. Each Stock Appreciation Right that vests solely based on the continued service of the Participant will have a minimum vesting period of one year following the date of grant.


		
	(e)
	Exercise and Payment.  Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (ii) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right or related Option.  Payment with respect to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made on the date of exercise.  Payment shall be made in the form of shares of Common Stock (with or without restrictions as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. 


		
	(f)
	Exercise Price.  The exercise price of a Free Standing Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of such Stock Appreciation Right.  A Related Right granted simultaneously with or subsequent to the grant of an Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto shall have the same exercise price as the related Option, shall be transferable only upon the same terms 




15


EXHIBIT 10.1



and conditions as the related Option, and shall be exercisable only to the same extent as the related Option; provided, however, that a Stock Appreciation Right, by its terms, shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right and related Option exceeds the exercise price per share thereof and no Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with an Option unless the Committee determines that the requirements of Code Section 409A are satisfied. 
		
	(g)
	Reduction in the Underlying Option Shares.  Upon any exercise of a Related Right, the number of shares of Common Stock for which any related Option shall be exercisable shall be reduced by the number of shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised.  The number of shares of Common Stock for which a Related Right shall be exercisable shall be reduced upon any exercise of any related Option by the number of shares of Common Stock for which such Option has been exercised. 


		
	6.2
	RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.  


		
	(a)
	General.  A Restricted Stock Award is an Award of actual shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”) that may, but need not, provide that such Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of, pledged or hypothecated as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation or for any other purpose for such period (the “Restricted Period”) as the Committee may determine.  Each Restricted Stock Award that vests solely based on the continued service of the Participant will have a minimum Restricted Period of one year following the date of grant. Each Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan must be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Award so granted will be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 6.2, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.


		
	(b)
	Award Agreement.  Each Participant granted Restricted Stock must execute and deliver to the Company an Award Agreement with respect to the Restricted Stock setting forth the restrictions and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock.  If the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock will be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (A) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable and (B) the appropriate blank stock power with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement.  If a Participant fails to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and stock power, the Award will be null and void.  


		
	(c)
	Stockholder Rights.  Subject to the restrictions set forth in the Award, the Participant generally has the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends.  Notwithstanding the previous sentence, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, any cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted 




16


EXHIBIT 10.1



Stock will be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee.  The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) will be distributed to the Participant in cash (or at the discretion of the Committee in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends) upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant will also forfeit the right to such dividends. 
		
	(d)
	Restrictions.  Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant will be subject to the following restrictions until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and to such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement: (A) if an escrow arrangement is used, the Participant will not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate; (B) the shares will be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Award Agreement; (C) the shares will be subject to forfeiture to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement; and (D) to the extent such shares are forfeited, the stock certificates must be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect to such shares will terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.  The Committee has the authority to remove any or all of the restrictions on the Restricted Stock whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date the Restricted Stock was granted, such action is appropriate.


		
	(e)
	Delivery of Restricted Stock.  Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in Section 6.2(d) and the applicable Award Agreement will be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.  If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company will deliver to the Participant or his or her beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate (if applicable) evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (to the nearest full share) and any cash dividends or stock dividends credited to the Participant’s account with respect to such Restricted Stock and the interest thereon, if any.  No Restricted Stock Award may be granted or settled for a fraction of a share of Common Stock. 


		
	(f)
	Stock Restrictions.  Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan will bear a legend in such form as the Company deems appropriate. 


		
	6.3
	RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS.


		
	(a)
	General.  A Restricted Stock Unit Award is an Award of hypothetical Common Stock units (“Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs”)) having a value equal to the Fair Market Value of an identical number of shares of Common Stock that entitles the Participant to payment in cash or shares of Common Stock at the expiration of the Restricted 




17


EXHIBIT 10.1



Period.  Each RSU Award granted under the Plan must be evidenced by an Award Agreement.  Each RSU Award so granted will be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 6.3, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.
		
	(b)
	Award Agreement.  The terms and conditions of a grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be reflected in an Award Agreement. No shares of Common Stock will be issued at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such Award.  A Participant has no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units.  At the discretion of the Committee, each Restricted Stock Unit (representing one share of Common Stock) may be credited with cash and stock dividends paid by the Company in respect of one share of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”).  If credited, Dividend Equivalents will be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of cash Dividend Equivalents withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee.  Dividend Equivalents credited to a Participant’s account and attributable to any particular Restricted Stock Unit (and earnings thereon, if applicable) will be distributed in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalents and earnings, if applicable, to the Participant upon settlement of such Restricted Stock Unit and, if such Restricted Stock Unit is forfeited, the Participant will also forfeit the right to such Dividend Equivalents.


		
	(c)
	Restrictions.  


		
	(1)
	Restricted Stock Units awarded to any Participant will be subject to forfeiture until the expiration of the Restricted Period and satisfaction of any applicable Performance Goals during such period, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, and to the extent such Restricted Stock Units are forfeited, all rights of the Participant to such Restricted Stock Units will terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.  RSUs will also be subject to such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award that vests solely based on the continued service of the Participant will have a minimum vesting period of one year following the date of grant.


		
	(2)
	The Committee has the authority to remove any or all of the restrictions on the Restricted Stock Units whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date the Restricted Stock Units are granted, such action is appropriate. 


		
	(3)
	The Committee may provide for an acceleration of vesting in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event.


		
	(d)
	Settlement of Restricted Stock Units.  Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company will deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one share of Common Stock for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit (“Vested Unit”) and cash equal to 




18


EXHIBIT 10.1



any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to each such Vested Unit and the interest thereon or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents and the interest thereon, if any; provided, however, that, if explicitly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay cash or part cash and part Common Stock in lieu of delivering only shares of Common Stock for Vested Units.  If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock, the amount of such payment will be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to each Vested Unit. 
		
	6.4
	PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS.  


		
	(a)
	Grant of Performance Share Awards.  Each Performance Share Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Performance Share Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 6.4, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.  The Committee shall have the discretion to determine: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock or stock-denominated units subject to a Performance Share Award granted to any Participant; (ii) the performance period applicable to any Award; (iii) the conditions that must be satisfied for a Participant to earn an Award; and (iv) the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award. 


		
	(b)
	Earning Performance Share Awards.  The number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.  No payout may be made with respect to any Performance Share Award except upon written certification by the Committee that the minimum threshold performance goal(s) have been achieved.


		
	6.5
	PERFORMANCE COMPENSATION AWARDS.  


		
	(a)
	General.  The Committee has the authority, at the time of grant of any Award described in this Plan (other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Grant Date), to designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award in order to qualify such Award as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).  In addition, the Committee has the authority to make an Award of a cash bonus to any Participant and designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award in order to qualify such Award as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m). 


		
	(b)
	Eligibility.  The Committee will, in its sole discretion, designate within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Code Section 162(m)) which Participants will be eligible to receive Performance Compensation Awards in respect of such Performance Period.  However, designation of a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a Performance Period will not in any manner entitle the Participant to receive payment 




19


EXHIBIT 10.1



in respect of any Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.  The determination as to whether or not such Participant becomes entitled to payment in respect of any Performance Compensation Award will be decided solely in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.5.  Moreover, designation of a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a particular Performance Period does not require designation of such Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder does not require designation of any other person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder in such period or in any other period. 
		
	(c)
	Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards.  With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have full discretion to select the length of such Performance Period (provided any such Performance Period will not be less than one fiscal quarter in duration), the types of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goals, the kinds and/or levels of the Performance Goals that apply to the Company and the Performance Formula.  Within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Code Section 162(m)), the Committee will, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence of this Section 6.5(c) and record the same in writing. 


		
	(d)
	Payment of Performance Compensation Awards.


		
	(1)
	Condition to Receipt of Payment.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period. 


		
	(2)
	Limitation.  A Participant is eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that: (A) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved; and (B) the Performance Formula as applied against such Performance Goals determines that all or some portion of such Participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period. 


		
	(3)
	Certification.  The Committee must review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, calculate and certify in writing the amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula.  The Committee will then determine the actual size of each Participant’s Performance Compensation Award for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply Negative Discretion in accordance with Section 6.5(d)(4) hereof, if and when it deems appropriate. 




20


EXHIBIT 10.1



		
	(4)
	Use of Discretion.  In determining the actual size of an individual Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance Compensation Award earned under the Performance Formula in the Performance Period through the use of Negative Discretion if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate.  The Committee does not have the discretion to (A) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained or (B) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the maximum amount payable under Section 6.5(d)(6). 


		
	(5)
	Timing of Award Payments.  Performance Compensation Awards granted for a Performance Period will be paid to Participants as soon as administratively practicable following completion of the certifications required by Section 6.5(d)(3) .


		
	(6)
	Maximum Award Payable.  Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Plan to the contrary, the maximum Performance Compensation Award payable to any one Participant under the Plan for a Performance Period (excluding any Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) is 150,000 shares of Common Stock or, in the event such Performance Compensation Award is paid in cash, the equivalent cash value thereof on the first or last day of the Performance Period to which such Award relates, as determined by the Committee.  The maximum amount that can be paid in any calendar year to any Participant pursuant to a cash bonus Award described in the last sentence of Section 6.5(a) is $500,000.  Furthermore, any Performance Compensation Award that has been deferred may not (between the date as of which the Award is deferred and the payment date) increase (A) with respect to a Performance Compensation Award that is payable in cash, by a measuring factor for each fiscal year greater than a reasonable rate of interest set by the Committee or (B) with respect to a Performance Compensation Award that is payable in shares of Common Stock, by an amount greater than the appreciation of a share of Common Stock from the date such Award is deferred to the payment date. 


Article 7.     
SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE
Each Award Agreement may provide that no shares of Common Stock shall be purchased or sold thereunder unless and until (a) any then applicable requirements of state or federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel and (b) if required to do so by the Company, the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such form and containing such provisions as the Committee may require.  The Company will use reasonable efforts to seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Awards; provided, 


21


EXHIBIT 10.1



however, that this undertaking does not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award.  If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained.
Article 8.     
USE OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK
Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Awards, or upon exercise thereof, will constitute general funds of the Company. 
Article 9.     
MISCELLANEOUS
		
	9.1
	ACCELERATION OF EXERCISABILITY AND VESTING.  The Committee has the power to accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest, but only in connection with a Change in Control or Participant’s death or Disability. 


		
	9.2
	STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS.  Except as provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, no Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms and no adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such Common Stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Article 10. 


		
	9.3
	NO EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER SERVICE RIGHTS.  Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Award granted pursuant thereto confers upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or affects the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (a) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause or (b) the service of a Director pursuant to the By-laws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be. 


		
	9.4
	TRANSFER; APPROVED LEAVE OF ABSENCE.  For purposes of the Plan, no termination of employment by an Employee will be deemed to result from either (a) a transfer to the employment of the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another, or (b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the Employee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so 




22


EXHIBIT 10.1



provides in writing, in either case, except to the extent inconsistent with Code Section 409A if the applicable Award is subject thereto. 
		
	9.5
	WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. Any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under an Award will be satisfied by the Company withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award, provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the maximum individual statutory tax rate. Alternatively, to the extent provided by the terms of an Award Agreement and subject to the discretion of the Committee, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company’s right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (a) tendering a cash payment; or (b) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock of the Company. 


Article 10.     
ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK
In the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any stock or extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, an extraordinary corporate transaction such as any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange, or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the Grant Date of any Award, Awards granted under the Plan and any Award Agreements, the exercise price of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to all Awards stated in Article 3 and the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which any one person may be granted Awards during any period stated in Article 3 will be equitably adjusted or substituted, as to the number, price or kind of a share of Common Stock or other consideration subject to such Awards to the extent necessary to preserve the economic intent of such Award.  In the case of adjustments made pursuant to this Article 10, unless the Committee specifically determines that such adjustment is in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates, the Committee will, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Article 10 will not constitute a modification, extension or renewal of the Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Code Section 424(h)(3) and in the case of Non-qualified Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Article 10  will not constitute a modification of such Non-qualified Stock Options within the meaning of Code Section 409A.  Any adjustments made under this Article 10 will be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.  Further, with respect to Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), any adjustments or substitutions will not cause the Company to be denied a tax deduction on account of Code Section 162(m).  The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment will be conclusive and binding for all purposes. 
Article 11.     
EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL


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EXHIBIT 10.1



		
	11.1
	Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary:


		
	(a)
	In the event of a Participant’s termination of Continuous Service without Cause or for Good Reason during the 18-month period following a Change in Control, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or any applicable Award Agreement to the contrary, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights will become immediately exercisable with respect to 100% of the shares subject to such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, and/or the Restricted Period will expire immediately with respect to 100% of the shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.


		
	(b)
	With respect to Performance Compensation Awards, in the event of a Participant’s termination of Continuous Service without Cause or for Good Reason, in either case, within 18 months following a Change in Control, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions will be deemed met as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.


		
	(c)
	To the extent practicable, any actions taken by the Committee under the immediately preceding subsection (a) and (b) will occur in a manner and at a time which allows affected Participants the ability to participate in the Change in Control with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to their Awards.


		
	11.2
	In addition, in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may in its discretion and upon at least 10 days’ advance notice to the affected persons, cancel any outstanding Awards and pay to the holders thereof, in cash or stock, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company in the event. In the case of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price (or SAR Exercise Price in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right) that equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the Option or Stock Appreciation Right without the payment of consideration therefor.


		
	11.3
	The obligations of the Company under the Plan will be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to all or substantially all of the assets and business of the Company and its Affiliates, taken as a whole. 


Article 12.     
AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AWARDS
		
	12.1
	AMENDMENT OF PLAN.  The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan. However, except as provided in this Plan, no amendment will be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy any Applicable Laws.  




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EXHIBIT 10.1



		
	12.2
	STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.  The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder regarding the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of compensation paid to certain executive officers. 


		
	12.3
	CONTEMPLATED AMENDMENTS.  It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees, Consultants and Directors with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options or to the nonqualified deferred compensation provisions of Code Section 409A and/or to bring the Plan and/or Awards granted under it into compliance therewith. 


		
	12.4
	NO IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHTS.  Rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan may not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing. 


		
	12.5
	AMENDMENT OF AWARDS.  The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Awards; provided, however, that the Committee may not affect any amendment which would otherwise constitute an impairment of the rights under any Award unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.


Article 13.     
GENERAL PROVISIONS
		
	13.1
	FORFEITURE EVENTS.  The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to applicable vesting conditions of an Award.  Such events may include, without limitation, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in the Award Agreement or otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its Affiliates.


		
	13.2
	CLAWBACK.  Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, any Award which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement). 


		
	13.3
	OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS.  Nothing contained in this Plan prevents the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. 




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EXHIBIT 10.1



		
	13.4
	SUB-PLANS.  The Committee may from time to time establish sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying blue sky, securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company intends to grant Awards.  Any sub-plans may contain such limitations and other terms and conditions as the Committee determines are necessary or desirable.  All sub-plans will be deemed a part of the Plan, but each sub-plan will apply only to the Participants in the jurisdiction for which the sub-plan was designed.


		
	13.5
	DEFERRAL OF AWARDS.  The Committee may establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of shares of Common Stock or other consideration under an Award.  The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.


		
	13.6
	UNFUNDED PLAN.  The Plan is unfunded.  Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee is required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under the Plan.


		
	13.7
	DELIVERY.  Upon exercise of a right granted under this Plan, the Company will issue Common Stock or pay any amounts due within a reasonable period of time thereafter.  Subject to any statutory or regulatory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of this Plan, 30 days will be considered a reasonable period of time. 


		
	13.8
	NO FRACTIONAL SHARES.  No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan.  The Committee will determine whether cash, additional Awards or other securities or property will be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock or whether any fractional shares should be rounded, forfeited or otherwise eliminated.


		
	13.9
	OTHER PROVISIONS.  The Award Agreements authorized under the Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with this Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Awards, as the Committee may deem advisable. 


		
	13.10
	SECTION 409A.  The Plan is intended to comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan will be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith.  Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Code Section 409A will not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Code Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the 6 month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service will instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service (or the Participant’s death, if earlier).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee has any obligation to take any action 




26


EXHIBIT 10.1



to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Participant under Code Section 409A and neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any Participant for such tax or penalty.
		
	13.11
	DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITIONS.  Any Participant who makes a “disposition” (as defined in Code Section 424) of all or any portion of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two years from the Grant Date of such Incentive Stock Option or within one year after the issuance of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option (a “Disqualifying Disposition”) must immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such shares of Common Stock. 


		
	13.12
	SECTION 16.  It is the intent of the Company that the Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.  Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of the Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 13.13, such provision to the extent possible will be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict. 


		
	13.13
	SECTION 162(m).  To the extent the Committee issues any Award that is intended to be exempt from the deduction limitation of Code Section 162(m), the Committee may, without stockholder or grantee approval, amend the Plan or the relevant Award Agreement retroactively or prospectively to the extent it determines necessary in order to comply with any subsequent clarification of Code Section 162(m) required to preserve the Company’s federal income tax deduction for compensation paid pursuant to any such Award. 


		
	13.14
	BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION.  Each Participant under the Plan may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries by whom any right under the Plan is to be exercised in case of such Participant’s death.  Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, must be in a form reasonably prescribed by the Committee and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime.


		
	13.15
	EXPENSES.  The costs of administering the Plan will be paid by the Company.


		
	13.16
	SEVERABILITY.  If any of the provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision will be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions will not be affected thereby.


		
	13.17
	PLAN HEADINGS.  The headings in the Plan are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the provisions hereof.


		
	13.18
	NON-UNIFORM TREATMENT.  The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who are eligible to receive, or actually receive, Awards.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee 




27


EXHIBIT 10.1



may make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements.
Article 14.     
EFFECTIVE DATE OF RESTATED PLAN
This restated Plan is effective as of the Effective Date, subject to approval of the stockholders of the Company within twelve months after the Effective Date. If Awards are granted under this restated Plan after the Effective Date, such Awards may not be exercised (or, in the case of a stock Award, may not be granted) unless and until this restated Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company within twelve months after the Effective Date. 
Article 15.     
TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN
The Plan will terminate automatically on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. No Award may be granted pursuant to the Plan after such date, but Awards granted before such date may extend beyond that date. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any earlier date pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof.  No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated. Unless the Company determines to submit Section 6.5 of the Plan and the definition of “Performance Goal” and “Performance Criteria” to the Company’s stockholders at the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the Plan was last approved by stockholders (or any earlier meeting designated by the Board), in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 162(m), and such stockholder approval is obtained, then no further Performance Compensation Awards may be made to Covered Employees under Section 6.5 after the date of such annual meeting, but the Plan may continue in effect for Awards to Participants not in accordance with Code Section 162(m). 


Article 16.     
CHOICE OF LAW
The law of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of law rules. 








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