Unassociated Document













Franklin Credit Management Corporation 10-12G

Exhibit 10.3


 


Franklin Credit Management Corporation


 


2012 Stock Incentive Plan


 


ARTICLE I


General


 


1.1           Purpose


 


The Franklin Credit Management Corporation 2012 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is designed to provide certain key persons, on whose initiative and efforts the successful conduct of the business of Franklin Credit Management Corporation (the “Company”) depends, and who are responsible for the management, growth and protection of the business of the Company, with incentives to: (a) enter into and remain in the service of the Company or a Company Affiliate (as herein defined), (b) acquire a proprietary interest in the success of the Company, (c) maximize their performance and (d) enhance the long-term performance of the Company (whether directly or indirectly through enhancing the long-term performance of a Company Affiliate). The Plan is also designed to provide certain “performance-based” compensation to these key persons.


 


1.2           Administration


 


(a)           Administration by Committee; Constitution of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or such other committee or subcommittee as the Board may designate or as shall be formed by the abstention or recusal of a non-Qualified Member (as defined below) of such committee (the “Committee”). The members of the Committee shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board. While it is intended that at all times that the Committee acts in connection with the Plan, the Committee shall consist solely of Qualified Members, the number of whom shall not be less than two, the fact that the Committee is not so comprised will not invalidate any grant hereunder that otherwise satisfies the terms of the Plan. A “Qualified Member” is both a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 (“Rule 16b-3”) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and an “outside director” within the meaning of section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If the Committee does not exist, or for any other reason determined by the Board, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.


 


(b)           Committee’s Authority. The Committee shall have the authority (i) to exercise all of the powers granted to it under the Plan, (ii) to construe, interpret and implement the Plan and any Grant Certificates executed pursuant to Section 2.1, (iii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules governing its own operations, (iv) to make all determinations necessary or advisable in administering the Plan, (v) to correct any defect, supply any omission and reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, and (vi) to amend the Plan to reflect changes in applicable law.


 


(c)           Committee Action; Delegation. Actions of the Committee shall be taken by the vote of a majority of its members. Any action may be taken by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Committee members, and action so taken shall be fully as effective as if it had been taken by a vote at a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan, the Committee or, pursuant to Section 1.2(a), the Board, may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to designate the individuals (other than such officer(s)), among those eligible to receive awards pursuant to the terms of the Plan, who will receive rights or options under the Plan and the size of each such grant, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 157 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (or any successor provision thereto), provided that the Committee shall itself grant awards to those individuals who could reasonably be considered to be subject to the insider trading provisions of section 16 of the 1934 Act or whose awards could reasonably be expected to be subject to the deduction limitations of section 162(m) of the Code.


 




 





 











 






 


(d)           Determinations Final. The determination of the Committee on all matters relating to the Plan or any Grant Certificate shall be final, binding and conclusive.


 


(e)           Limit on Committee Members’ Liability. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any award thereunder.


 


1.3           Persons Eligible for Awards


 


The persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan are those officers, directors (whether or not they are employed by the Company), and executive, managerial, professional or administrative employees of, and consultants to, the Company or any Company Affiliate (collectively, “key persons”) as the Committee in its sole discretion shall select.


 


1.4           Types of Awards Under Plan


 


Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of (a) incentive stock options, (b) non-qualified stock options, (c) stock appreciation rights, (d) dividend equivalent rights, (e) restricted stock, (f) restricted stock units, (g) unrestricted stock, and (h) performance shares, all as more fully set forth in Article II. The term “award” means any of the foregoing. No incentive stock option may be granted to a person who is not an employee of the Company or a subsidiary corporation with respect to the Company on the date of grant.


 


1.5           Shares Available for Awards


 


(a)           Aggregate Number Available; Certificate Legends. The total number of shares of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) with respect to which awards may be granted pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed the sum of 1,500,000 shares. Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued Common Stock, authorized and issued Common Stock held in the Company’s treasury or Common Stock acquired by the Company for the purposes of the Plan. The Committee may direct that any stock certificate evidencing shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting forth such restrictions on transferability as may apply to such shares.


 


(b)           Adjustment Upon Changes in Common Stock. Upon certain changes in Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance with respect to awards that may be granted under the Plan pursuant to Section 1.5(a), shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 3.7(a).


 


(c)           Certain Shares to Become Available Again. The following shares of Common Stock shall again become available for awards under the Plan: any shares that are subject to an award under the Plan and that remain unissued upon the cancellation or termination of such award for any reason whatsoever; any shares of restricted stock forfeited pursuant to Section 2.7(e), provided that any dividends paid on such shares are also forfeited pursuant to such Section 2.7(e); and any shares in respect of which a performance share award is settled for cash.


 


(d)           Individual Limits. Except for the limits set forth in this Section 1.5(d) and in Section 2.2(h), no provision of this Plan shall be deemed to limit the number or value of shares with respect to which the Committee may make awards to any eligible person. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.7(a), the total number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which awards may be granted to any one employee of the Company or a Company Affiliate during any one calendar year shall not exceed 225,000 shares. Stock options and stock appreciation rights granted and subsequently canceled or deemed to be canceled in a calendar year count against this limit even after their cancellation.


 


1.6           Definitions of Certain Terms


 


(a)           The “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock on any day shall be the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange as reported for such day in The Wall Street Journal or, if no such price is reported for such day, the average of the high bid and low asked price of Common Stock as reported for such day. If no quotation is made for the applicable day, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on such day shall be determined in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence using quotations for the next preceding day for which there were quotations, provided that such quotations shall have been made within the ten (10) business days preceding the applicable day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on any day shall be determined by the Committee. In no event shall the Fair Market Value of any share of Common Stock be less than its par value.


 




  





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(b)           The term “incentive stock option” means an option that is intended to qualify for special federal income tax treatment pursuant to sections 421 and 422 of the Code as now constituted or subsequently amended, or pursuant to a successor provision of the Code, and which is so designated in the applicable Grant Certificate. Any option that is not specifically designated as an incentive stock option shall under no circumstances be considered an incentive stock option. Any option that is not an incentive stock option is referred to herein as a “non-qualified stock option.”


 


(c)           A grantee shall be deemed to have a “termination of employment” upon (i) the date the grantee ceases to be employed by, or to provide consulting services for, the Company or any Company Affiliate, or for any corporation (or any of its subsidiaries) which assumes the grantee’s award in a transaction to which section 424(a) of the Code applies; or (ii) the date the grantee ceases to be a Board member, provided, however, that in the case of a grantee (x) who is, at the time of reference, both an employee or consultant and a Board member, or (y) who ceases to be engaged as an employee, consultant or Board member and immediately is engaged in another of such relationships with the Company or any Company Affiliate, the grantee shall be deemed to have a “termination of employment” upon the later of the dates determined pursuant to subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above. For purposes of clause (i) above, a grantee who continues his or her employment or consulting relationship with an entity that has ceased to be a Company Affiliate for any reason shall have a termination of employment upon the date such entity ceases to be a Company Affiliate. The Committee may in its discretion determine whether any leave of absence constitutes a termination of employment for purposes of the Plan and the impact, if any, of any such leave of absence on awards theretofore made under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a grantee of any award that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to have had “termination of employment” with respect to such award only upon such grantee’s “separation from service” within as defined in Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(h).


 


(d)           The terms “parent corporation” and “subsidiary corporation” shall have the meanings given them in sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively.


 


(e)           The term “Company Affiliate” means a corporation, joint venture or other entity in which the Company or an other entity in a chain ending with the Company has a “controlling interest” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E).


 


(f)           The term “employment” shall be deemed to mean an employee’s employment with, or a consultant’s provision of services to, the Company or any Company Affiliate and each Board member’s service as a Board member.


 


(g)           The term “cause” in connection with a termination of employment by reason of a dismissal for cause shall mean:


 


(i)            to the extent that there is an employment, severance or other agreement governing the relationship between the grantee and the Company or a Company Affiliate, which agreement contains a definition of “cause,” cause shall consist of those acts or omissions that would constitute “cause” under such agreement; and otherwise,


 


(ii)           the grantee’s termination of employment by the Company or a Company Affiliate on account of any one or more of the following:


 


(A)           grantee’s willful and intentional repeated failure or refusal, continuing after notice that specifically identifies the breach(es) complained of, to perform substantially his or her material duties, responsibilities and obligations (other than a failure resulting from grantee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or other reasons beyond the control of grantee), and which failure or refusal results in demonstrable direct and material injury to the Company or a Company Affiliate;


 




 





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(B)           any willful and intentional act or failure to act involving fraud, misrepresentation, theft, embezzlement, dishonesty or moral turpitude (collectively, “Fraud”) which results in demonstrable direct and material injury to the Company or a Company Affiliate; and


 


(C)           conviction of (or a plea of nolo contendere to) an offense which is a felony in the jurisdiction involved or which is a misdemeanor in the jurisdiction involved but which involves Fraud.


 


For purposes of determining whether cause exists, no act, or failure to act, on grantee’s part shall be deemed “willful” or “intentional” unless done, or omitted to be done, by grantee in bad faith, and without reasonable belief that his or her action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.


 


Notwithstanding the foregoing, the grantee shall not be deemed to have been terminated for “cause” hereunder unless and until there shall have been delivered to the grantee a copy of a resolution (a “Cause Resolution”) duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds (2/3) of the Board then in office at a meeting of the Board called upon reasonable notice to all directors and held for such purpose, after reasonable notice to the grantee and an opportunity for the grantee, together with his counsel (if the grantee chooses to have counsel present at such meeting), to be heard before the Board at such meeting, finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the grantee had committed an act constituting “cause” as herein defined and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Nothing herein will limit the right of the grantee or his beneficiaries to contest the validity or propriety of any such determination and/or Cause Resolution.


 


Any rights the Company may have hereunder in respect of the events giving rise to cause shall be in addition to the rights the Company may have under any other agreement with a grantee or at law or in equity. Any determination of whether a grantee’s employment is (or is deemed to have been) terminated for cause for purposes of the Plan or any award hereunder shall be made by the Committee in its discretion. If, subsequent to a grantee’s voluntary termination of employment or involuntary termination of employment without cause, it is discovered that the grantee’s employment could have been terminated for cause, the Committee may deem such grantee’s employment to have been terminated for cause. A grantee’s termination of employment for cause shall be effective as of the date of the occurrence of the event giving rise to cause, regardless of when the determination of cause is made.


 


ARTICLE II


Awards Under the Plan


 


2.1           Certificates Evidencing Awards


 


Each award granted under the Plan (except an award of unrestricted stock) shall be evidenced by a written certificate (“Grant Certificate”) which shall contain such provisions as the Committee may in its sole discretion deem necessary or desirable. By accepting an award pursuant to the Plan, a grantee thereby agrees that the award shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Grant Certificate.


 


2.2           Grant of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Dividend Equivalent Rights


 


(a)           Stock Option Grants. The Committee may grant incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options (collectively, “options”) to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company, to such key persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan.


 




 





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(b)           Stock Appreciation Right Grants; Types of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant stock appreciation rights to such key persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan. The terms of a stock appreciation right may provide that it shall be automatically exercised for a cash payment upon the happening of a specified event that is outside the control of the grantee and that it shall not be otherwise exercisable. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in connection with all or any part of, or independently of, any option granted under the Plan. A stock appreciation right granted in connection with a non-qualified stock option may be granted at or after the time of grant of such option. A stock appreciation right granted in connection with an incentive stock option may be granted only at the time of grant of such option.


 


(c)           Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights. The grantee of a stock appreciation right shall have the right, subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Grant Certificate, to receive from the Company an amount equal to (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant (or over the option exercise price if the stock appreciation right is granted in connection with an option), multiplied by (ii) the number of shares with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. Payment upon exercise of a stock appreciation right shall be in cash or in shares of Common Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right) or both, all as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right granted in connection with an option, the number of shares subject to the option shall be reduced by the number of shares with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. Upon the exercise of an option in connection with which a stock appreciation right has been granted, the number of shares subject to the stock appreciation right shall be reduced by the number of shares with respect to which the option is exercised.


 


(d)           Option Exercise Price. Each Grant Certificate with respect to an option shall set forth the amount (the “option exercise price”) payable by the grantee to the Company upon exercise of the option evidenced thereby. The option exercise price per share shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the option exercise price shall be at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the option is granted, and provided further that in no event shall the option exercise price be less than the par value of a share of Common Stock.


 


(e)           Exercise Period. Each Grant Certificate with respect to an option or stock appreciation right shall set forth the periods during which the award evidenced thereby shall be exercisable, whether in whole or in part. Such periods shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that no stock option (or a stock appreciation right granted in connection with an incentive stock option) shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date of grant. (See the default exercise period provided for under Sections 2.3(a) and (b).)


 


(f)           Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Committee may in its sole discretion include in any Grant Certificate with respect to an option, stock appreciation right or performance shares, a dividend equivalent right entitling the grantee to receive amounts equal to the ordinary dividends that would be paid, during the time such award is outstanding and unexercised, on the shares of Common Stock covered by such award if such shares were then outstanding. In the event such a provision is included in a Grant Certificate, the Committee shall determine whether such payments shall be made in cash or in shares of Common Stock, the time or times at which they shall be made, and such other vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no dividend equivalent rights shall be conditioned on the exercise of any option or stock appreciation right and (ii) no dividend equivalent right shall be granted to the extent such dividend equivalent right shall result in the payment of any tax under section 409A of the Code.


 


(g)           Incentive Stock Option Limitation: $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the stock with respect to which incentive stock options are first exercisable by any employee during any calendar year shall exceed $100,000, or such higher amount as may be permitted from time to time under section 422 of the Code, such options shall be treated as non-qualified stock options.


 




 





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(h)           Incentive Stock Option Limitation: 10% Owners. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section 2.2, an incentive stock option may not be granted under the Plan to an individual who, at the time the option is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of his or her employer corporation or of its parent or subsidiary corporations (as such ownership may be determined for purposes of section 422(b)(6) of the Code) unless (i) at the time such incentive stock option is granted the option exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the shares subject thereto and (ii) the incentive stock option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of 5 years from the date it is granted.


 


2.3           Exercise of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights


 


Subject to the other provisions of this Article II, each option or stock appreciation right granted under the Plan shall be exercisable as follows:


 


(a)           Beginning of Exercise Period. Unless the applicable Grant Certificate otherwise provides, an option or stock appreciation right shall become exercisable with respect to a number of whole shares as close as possible to 25% of the shares subject to such option or stock appreciation right on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.


 


(b)           End of Exercise Period. Unless the applicable Grant Certificate otherwise provides, once an installment becomes exercisable, it shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of the award or (ii) the expiration, cancellation or termination of the award.


 


(c)           Timing and Extent of Exercise. Unless the applicable Grant Certificate otherwise provides, (i) an option or stock appreciation right may be exercised from time to time as to all or part of the shares as to which such award is then exercisable and (ii) a stock appreciation right granted in connection with an option may be exercised at any time when, and to the same extent that, the related option may be exercised.


 


(d)           Notice of Exercise. An option or stock appreciation right shall be exercised by the filing of a written notice with the Company or the Company’s designated exchange agent (the “exchange agent”), on such form and in such manner as the Committee shall in its sole discretion prescribe.


 


(e)           Payment of Exercise Price. Any written notice of exercise of an option shall be accompanied by payment for the shares being purchased. Such payment shall be made: (i) by certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Company or its exchange agent) for the full option exercise price; or (ii) with the consent of the Committee, by delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the grantee (whether acquired by option exercise or otherwise, provided that if such shares were acquired pursuant to the exercise of a stock option, they were acquired at least six months prior to the option exercise date or such other period as the Committee may from time to time determine) having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the exercise date) equal to all or part of the option exercise price and a certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Company or its exchange agent) for any remaining portion of the full option exercise price; or (iii) at the discretion of the Committee and to the extent permitted by law, by such other provision, consistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee may from time to time prescribe.


 


(f)           Delivery of Certificates Upon Exercise. Promptly after receiving payment of the full option exercise price, or after receiving notice of the exercise of a stock appreciation right, the Company or its exchange agent shall, subject to the provisions of Section 3.2, deliver to the grantee or to such other person as may then have the right to exercise the award, certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock for which the award has been exercised. If the method of payment employed upon option exercise so requires, and if applicable law permits, a grantee may direct the Company, or its exchange agent, as the case may be, to deliver the stock certificate(s) to the grantee’s stockbroker.


 


(g)           No Stockholder Rights. No grantee of an option or stock appreciation right (or other person having the right to exercise such award) shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to shares subject to such award until the issuance of a stock certificate to such person for such shares. Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.5(b), no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, securities or other property) for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.


 




 





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2.4           Compensation in Lieu of Exercise of an Option


 


Upon written application of the grantee of an option, the Committee may in its sole discretion determine to substitute, for the exercise of such option, compensation to the grantee not in excess of the difference between the option exercise price and the Fair Market Value of the shares covered by such written application on the date of such application. Such compensation shall be in shares of Common Stock, and the payment thereof may be subject to conditions, all as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. In the event compensation is substituted pursuant to this Section 2.4 for the exercise, in whole or in part, of an option, the number of shares subject to the option shall be reduced by the number of shares for which such compensation is substituted.


 


2.5           Termination of Employment; Death Subsequent to a Termination of Employment


 


(a)           General Rule. Except to the extent otherwise provided in paragraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this Section 2.5, a grantee who incurs a termination of employment may exercise any outstanding option or stock appreciation right on the following terms and conditions: (i) exercise may be made only to the extent that the grantee was entitled to exercise the award on the termination of employment date; and (ii) exercise must occur within three months after termination of employment but in no event after the original expiration date of the award.


 


(b)           Dismissal for Cause. If a grantee incurs a termination of employment as the result of a dismissal for cause, all options and stock appreciation rights not theretofore exercised shall terminate upon the commencement of business on the date of the grantee’s termination of employment.


 


(c)           Disability. If a grantee incurs a termination of employment by reason of a disability (as defined below), then any outstanding option or stock appreciation right shall be exercisable on the following terms and conditions: (i) exercise may be made only to the extent that the grantee was entitled to exercise the award on the termination of employment date; and (ii) exercise must occur by the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of the grantee’s termination of employment, or (B) the original expiration date of the award. For this purpose “disability” shall mean: (x) except in connection with an incentive stock option, any physical or mental condition that would qualify a grantee for a disability benefit under the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or, if there is no such plan, a physical or mental condition that prevents the grantee from performing the essential functions of the grantee’s position (with or without reasonable accommodation) for a period of six consecutive months and (y) in connection with an incentive stock option, a disability described in section 422(c)(6) of the Code. The existence of a disability shall be determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion.


 


(d)           Death.


 


(i)           Termination of Employment as a Result of Grantee’s Death. If a grantee incurs a termination of employment as the result of death, then any outstanding option or stock appreciation right shall be exercisable on the following terms and conditions: (A) exercise may be made only to the extent that the grantee was entitled to exercise the award on the date of death; and (B) exercise must occur by the earlier of (1) the first anniversary of the grantee’s termination of employment, or (2) the original expiration date of the award.


 


(ii)           Death Subsequent to a Termination of Employment. If a grantee dies subsequent to incurring a termination of employment but prior to the expiration of the exercise period with respect to a stock option or a stock appreciation right (as provided by paragraphs (a) or (c) above), then the award shall remain exercisable until the earlier to occur of (A) the first anniversary of the grantee’s date of death or (B) the original expiration date of the award.


 




 





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(iii)           Restrictions on Exercise Following Death. Any such exercise of an award following a grantee’s death shall be made only by the grantee’s executor or administrator or other duly appointed representative reasonably acceptable to the Committee, unless the grantee’s will specifically disposes of such award, in which case such exercise shall be made only by the recipient of such specific disposition. If a grantee’s personal representative or the recipient of a specific disposition under the grantee’s will shall be entitled to exercise any award pursuant to the preceding sentence, such representative or recipient shall be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Grant Certificate which would have applied to the grantee including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 3.2 hereof.


 


(e)           Special Rules for Incentive Stock Options. An incentive stock option shall cease to be treated as a incentive stock option to the extent that it remains exercisable for more than three months following a grantee’s termination of employment for any reason other than death (including death within three months after the termination of employment or within one year after a termination due to disability) or disability, or for more than one year following a grantee’s termination of employment as the result of disability.


 


(f)           Committee Discretion. The Committee, in the applicable Grant Certificate, may waive or modify the application of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.5.


 


2.6           Transferability of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights


 


Except as otherwise provided in an applicable Grant Certificate evidencing an option or stock appreciation right, during the lifetime of a grantee, each option or stock appreciation right granted to a grantee shall be exercisable only by the grantee and no option or stock appreciation right shall be assignable or transferable otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may, in any applicable Grant Certificate evidencing an option (other than an incentive stock option to the extent inconsistent with the requirements of section 422 of the Code applicable to incentive stock options), permit a grantee to transfer all or some of the options to (A) the grantee’s spouse, children or grandchildren (“Immediate Family Members”), (B) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, or (C) other parties approved by the Committee in its absolute discretion. Following any such transfer, any transferred options shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the transfer.


 


2.7           Grant of Restricted Stock


 


(a)           Restricted Stock Grants. The Committee may grant restricted shares of Common Stock to such key persons, in such amounts, and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan. Restricted stock awards may be made independently of or in connection with any other award under the Plan. A grantee of a restricted stock award shall have no rights with respect to such award unless such grantee accepts the award within such period as the Committee shall specify by accepting delivery of a Grant Certificate in such form as the Committee shall determine and makes payment to the Company or its exchange agent by certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Company) of the purchase price, if any, for such restricted shares as determined by the Committee its sole discretion.


 


(b)           Issuance of Stock Certificate(s). Promptly after a grantee accepts a restricted stock award, the Company or its exchange agent shall issue to the grantee a stock certificate or stock certificates for the shares of Common Stock covered by the award or shall establish an account evidencing ownership of the stock in uncertificated form. Upon the issuance of such stock certificate(s), or establishment of such account, the grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the restricted stock, subject to: (i) the nontransferability restrictions and forfeiture provision described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section 2.7; (ii) in the Committee’s discretion, a requirement that any dividends paid on such shares shall be subject to the same forfeiture restrictions applicable to such restricted shares and held in escrow until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed; and (iii) any other restrictions and conditions contained in the applicable Grant Certificate.


 


(c)           Custody of Stock Certificate(s). Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, any stock certificates issued evidencing shares of restricted stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such shares are free of any restrictions specified in the applicable Grant Certificate. The Committee may direct that such stock certificate(s) bear a legend setting forth the applicable restrictions on transferability.


 




 





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(d)           Nontransferability. Shares of restricted stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or the applicable Grant Certificate. The Committee at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates (which may depend upon or be related to a period of continued employment with the Company, the attainment of performance goals or other conditions or a combination of such conditions) on which the nontransferability of the restricted stock shall lapse.


 


(e)           Consequence of Termination of Employment. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee at any time prior to a grantee’s termination of employment, a grantee’s termination of employment for any reason (including death) shall cause the immediate forfeiture of all shares of restricted stock that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination of employment. All dividends paid on such shares also shall be forfeited, whether by termination of any escrow arrangement under which such dividends are held, by the grantee’s repayment of dividends received directly, or otherwise.


 


2.8           Grant of Restricted Stock Units


 


(a)           Restricted Stock Unit Grants. The Committee may grant awards of restricted stock units to such key persons, in such amounts, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan. Restricted stock units may be awarded independently of or in connection with any other award under the Plan. A grantee of a restricted stock unit award shall have no rights with respect to such award unless such grantee accepts the award within such period as the Committee shall specify by accepting delivery of a Grant Certificate in such form as the Committee shall determine. A grant of a restricted stock unit entitles the grantee to receive a share of Common Stock on the date that such restricted stock unit vests.


 


(b)           Vesting. Restricted stock units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or the applicable Grant Certificate. The Committee at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates (which may depend upon or be related to a period of continued employment with the Company, the attainment of performance goals or other conditions or a combination of such conditions) on which the restricted stock units shall vest.


 


(c)           Consequence of Termination of Employment. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee at any time prior to a grantee’s termination of employment, a grantee’s termination of employment for any reason (including death) shall cause the immediate forfeiture of all restricted stock units that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination of employment.


 


2.9           Grant of Unrestricted Stock


 


The Committee may grant (or sell at a purchase price at least equal to par value) shares of Common Stock free of restrictions under the Plan, to such key persons and in such amounts and subject to such forfeiture provisions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Shares may be thus granted or sold in respect of past services or other valid consideration, provided, however, that any such awards to officers or directors shall involve a number of shares determined by the Committee as being reasonable and shall be identified as being granted in lieu of salary or cash bonus.


 


2.10         Grant of Performance Shares


 


(a)           Performance Share Grants. The Committee may grant performance share awards to such key persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan. Such an award shall entitle the grantee to acquire shares of Common Stock, or to be paid the value thereof in cash, as the Committee shall determine, if specified performance goals are met. Performance shares may be awarded independently of, or in connection with, any other award under the Plan. A grantee shall have no rights with respect to a performance share award unless such grantee accepts the award by accepting delivery of a Grant Certificate at such time and in such form as the Committee shall determine.


 




 





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(b)           Stockholder Rights. The grantee of a performance share award will have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares for which a stock certificate has been issued pursuant to the award or for which an account has been established evidencing ownership of the stock in uncertificated form and not with respect to any other shares subject to the award.


 


(c)           Consequence of Termination of Employment. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee at any time prior to a grantee’s termination of employment, the rights of a grantee of a performance share award shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment by the Company and its subsidiaries for any reason (including death).


 


(d)           Payment of Award. The grantee of a performance share award shall receive the shares of Common Stock or cash payment subject to such award as soon as practicable following the satisfaction of the applicable performance goals, but in no event later than 2-1/2 months after the year in which the performance goals were satisfied.


 


(e)           Tandem Grants; Effect on Exercise. Except as otherwise specified by the Committee, (i) a performance share award granted in tandem with an option may be exercised only while the option is exercisable, (ii) the exercise of a performance share award granted in tandem with any other award shall reduce the number of shares subject to such other award in the manner specified in the applicable Grant Certificate, and (iii) the exercise of any award granted in tandem with a performance share award shall reduce the number of shares subject to the performance share award in the manner specified in the applicable Grant Certificate.


 


(f)           Nontransferability. Performance shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or the applicable Grant Certificate.


 


2.11         Right of Recapture


 


If at any time after the date on which a grantee has been granted or become vested in an award pursuant to the achievement of performance goals under this Article II, the Committee determines that the earlier determination as to the achievement of the performance goals was based on incorrect data and that in fact the performance goals had not been achieved or had been achieved to a lesser extent than originally determined, then (i) any award or portion of an award granted based on such incorrect determination shall be forfeited, (ii) any award or portion of an award that became vested based on such incorrect determination shall be deemed to be not vested, and (iii) any amounts paid to the grantee based on such incorrect determination shall be paid by the grantee to the Company upon notice from the Company.


 


ARTICLE III


Miscellaneous


 


3.1           Amendment of the Plan; Modification of Awards


 


(a)           Amendment of the Plan. Subject to Section 3.1(b), the Board may from time to time suspend, discontinue, revise or amend the Plan in any respect whatsoever, except that no such amendment shall materially impair any rights or materially increase any obligations under any award theretofore made under the Plan without the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the person having the right to exercise the award). For purposes of this Section 3.1, any action of the Board or the Committee that in any way alters or affects the tax treatment of any award or that in the sole discretion of the Board is necessary to prevent an award from being subject to tax under Section 409A of the Code shall not be considered to materially impair any rights of any grantee.


 




 





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(b)           Stockholder Approval Requirement. Stockholder approval shall be required with respect to any amendment to the Plan (i) which increases the aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options or changes the class of employees eligible to receive such options, (ii) which otherwise materially increases the benefits under the Plan, (iii) to the extent required by stock exchange rules, or (iv) to the extent the Board determines that stockholder approval is necessary to enable awards under the Plan to comply with Sections 422 or 162(m) of the Code.


 


(c)           Modification of Awards. The Committee may cancel any award under the Plan. The Committee also may amend any outstanding Grant Certificate, including, without limitation, by amendment which would: (i) accelerate the time or times at which the award becomes unrestricted or vested or may be exercised; (ii) waive or amend any goals, restrictions or conditions set forth in the Grant Certificate; or (iii) waive or amend the operation of Section 2.5 with respect to the termination of the award upon termination of employment, provided however, that no such amendment may lower the exercise price of an outstanding option or stock appreciation right. However, any such cancellation or amendment (other than an amendment pursuant to Sections 3.7) that materially impairs the rights or materially increases the obligations of a grantee under an outstanding award shall be made only with the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the person having the right to exercise the award). Under no circumstances may the Committee modify an award in a manner that would cause the award to be subject to tax under Section 409A of the Code.


 


3.2           Consent Requirement


 


(a)           No Plan Action without Required Consent. If the Committee shall at any time determine that any Consent (as hereinafter defined) is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the granting of any award under the Plan, the issuance or purchase of shares or other rights thereunder, or the taking of any other action thereunder (each such action being hereinafter referred to as a “Plan Action”), then such Plan Action shall not be taken, in whole or in part, unless and until such Consent shall have been effected or obtained to the full satisfaction of the Committee.


 


(b)           Consent Defined. The term “Consent” as used herein with respect to any Plan Action means (i) any and all listings, registrations or qualifications in respect thereof upon any securities exchange or under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, (ii) any and all written agreements and representations by the grantee with respect to the disposition of shares, or with respect to any other matter, which the Committee shall deem necessary or desirable to comply with the terms of any such listing, registration or qualification or to obtain an exemption from the requirement that any such listing, qualification or registration be made and (iii) any and all consents, clearances and approvals in respect of a Plan Action by any governmental or other regulatory bodies.


 


3.3           Nonassignability


 


Except as provided in Sections 2.5(d), 2.6, 2.7(d) and 2.9(f): (a) no award or right granted to any person under the Plan or under any Grant Certificate shall be assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; and (b) all rights granted under the Plan or any Grant Certificate shall be exercisable during the life of the grantee only by the grantee or the grantee’s legal representative.


 


3.4           Requirement of Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code


 


If any grantee shall, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan, make the election permitted under section 83(b) of the Code (i.e., an election to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in section 83(b)), such grantee shall notify the Company of such election within 10 days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Code section 83(b).


 


3.5           Requirement of Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code


 


Each grantee of an incentive stock option shall notify the Company of any disposition of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of such option under the circumstances described in section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), within 10 days of such disposition.


 




 





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3.6           Withholding Taxes


 


(a)           With Respect to Cash Payments. Whenever cash is to be paid pursuant to an award under the Plan, the Company shall be entitled to deduct therefrom an amount sufficient in its opinion to satisfy all federal, state and other governmental tax withholding requirements related to such payment.


 


(b)           With Respect to Delivery of Common Stock. Whenever shares of Common Stock are to be delivered pursuant to an award under the Plan or whenever the forfeiture restrictions on shares of restricted stock lapse, the Company shall be entitled to require as a condition of delivery or upon lapse of forfeiture restrictions that the grantee remit to the Company an amount sufficient in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all federal, state and other governmental tax withholding requirements related thereto. With the approval of the Committee, which the Committee shall have sole discretion whether or not to give, the grantee may satisfy the foregoing condition by electing to have the Company withhold from delivery shares (including deliver of stock certificates that remain in the Company’s custody with respect to the grant of shares of restricted stock pursuant to Section 2.7(c)) having a value equal to the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld. Such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash. Such a withholding election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the shares to be delivered pursuant to an award.


 


3.7           Adjustment Upon Changes in Common Stock


 


(a)           Shares Available for Grants. In the event of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding by reason of any stock dividend or split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares or similar corporate change, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Committee may grant awards under Article II hereof, as described in Section 1.5(a), and the individual annual limit described in Section 1.5(d), shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. In the event of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding by reason of any other event or transaction, the Committee may, but need not, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares of Common Stock with respect to which awards: (i) may be granted under Article II hereof and (ii) granted to any one employee of the Company or a Company Affiliate during any one calendar year, in each case as the Committee may deem appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.


 


(b)           Outstanding Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares. Unless the Committee in its absolute discretion otherwise determines, any securities or other property (including dividends paid in cash) received by a grantee with respect to a share of restricted stock, which has not yet vested, as a result of any dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares or otherwise, will not vest until such share of restricted stock vests, and shall be promptly deposited with the Company or other custodian designated pursuant to Section 2.7(c) hereof.


 


The Committee may, in its absolute discretion, adjust any grant of restricted stock units or performance shares payable in shares of Common Stock, to reflect any dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares or similar corporate change as the Committee may deem appropriate to prevent the enlargement or dilution of rights of grantees.


 


(c)           Outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Dividend Equivalent Rights -- Increase or Decrease in Issued Shares Without Consideration. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event of any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares of Common Stock or the payment of a stock dividend (but only on the shares of Common Stock), or any other increase or decrease in the number of such shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Committee shall proportionally adjust the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each outstanding option and stock appreciation right, the exercise price-per-share of Common Stock of each such option and stock appreciation right and the number of any related dividend equivalent rights.


 




 





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(d)           Outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Dividend Equivalent Rights -- Certain Mergers. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event that the Company shall be the surviving corporation in any merger or consolidation (except a merger or consolidation as a result of which the holders of shares of Common Stock receive securities of another corporation), each option, stock appreciation right and dividend equivalent right outstanding on the date of such merger or consolidation shall pertain to and apply to the securities which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such option, stock appreciation right or dividend equivalent right would have received in such merger or consolidation.


 


(e)           Outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Dividend Equivalent Rights -- Certain Other Transactions. In the event of (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, (iii) a merger or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or (iv) a merger or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the holders of shares of Common Stock receive securities of another corporation and/or other property, including cash, the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, have the power to:


 


(A)           cancel, effective immediately prior to the occurrence of such event, each option and stock appreciation right (including each dividend equivalent right related thereto) outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then exercisable), and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the grantee to whom such option or stock appreciation right was granted an amount in cash, for each share of Common Stock subject to such option or stock appreciation right, respectively, equal to the excess of (x) the value, as determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion, of the property (including cash) received by the holder of a share of Common Stock as a result of such event over (y) the exercise price of such option or stock appreciation right; or


 


(B)           provide for the exchange of each option and stock appreciation right (including any related dividend equivalent right) outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then exercisable) for an option on or stock appreciation right and dividend equivalent right with respect to, as appropriate, some or all of the property which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such option or stock appreciation right would have received and, incident thereto, make an equitable adjustment as determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion in the exercise price of the option or stock appreciation right, or the number of shares or amount of property subject to the option, stock appreciation right or dividend equivalent right or, if appropriate, provide for a cash payment to the grantee to whom such option or stock appreciation right was granted in partial consideration for the exchange of the option or stock appreciation right.


 


(f)           Outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Dividend Equivalent Rights -- Other Changes. In the event of any change in the capitalization of the Company or a corporate change other than those specifically referred to in Sections 3.7(c), (d) or (e) hereof, the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares subject to options, stock appreciation rights and dividend equivalent rights outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in the per-share exercise price of each such option and stock appreciation right as the Committee may consider appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. In addition, if and to the extent the Committee determines it is appropriate, the Committee may elect to cancel each option and stock appreciation right (including each dividend equivalent right related thereto) outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then exercisable), and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the grantee to whom such option or stock appreciation right was granted an amount in cash, for each share of Common Stock subject to such option or stock appreciation right, respectively, equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the date of such cancellation over (ii) the exercise price of such option or stock appreciation right.


 


(g)           No Other Rights. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no grantee shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to an award or the exercise price of any option or stock appreciation right.


 




 





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(h)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustment shall be made pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.7 with respect to any option or stock appreciation right to the extent that such adjustment would cause the option or appreciation right (determined as if such option or stock appreciation right was an incentive stock option) to violate Code section 424(a) or otherwise subject any grantee to taxation under Code section 409A.


 


3.8           Right of Discharge Reserved


 


Nothing in the Plan or in any Grant Certificate shall confer upon any grantee the right to continue employment or service with the Company or any Company Affiliate or otherwise affect any right which the Company or any Company Affiliate may have to terminate such grantee’s employment or service.


 


3.9           Nature of Payments


 


(a)           Consideration for Services Performed. Any and all grants of awards and issuances of shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be in consideration of services performed for the Company by the grantee.


 


(b)           Not Taken into Account for Benefits. All such grants and issuances shall constitute a special incentive payment to the grantee and shall not be taken into account in computing the amount of salary or compensation of the grantee for the purpose of determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit-sharing, bonus, life insurance or other benefit plan of the Company or under any agreement between the Company and the grantee, unless such plan or agreement specifically otherwise provides.


 


3.10         Non-Uniform Determinations


 


The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who receive, or who are eligible to receive, awards under the Plan (whether or not such persons are similarly situated). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled, among other things, to make non-uniform and selective determinations, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Grant Certificates, as to (a) the persons to receive awards under the Plan, (b) the terms and provisions of awards under the Plan, and (c) the treatment of leaves of absence pursuant to Section 1.6(c).


 


3.11         Other Payments or Awards


 


Nothing contained in the Plan shall be deemed in any way to limit or restrict the Company from making any award or payment to any person under any other plan, arrangement or understanding, whether now existing or hereafter in effect.


 


3.12         Headings


 


Any section, subsection, paragraph or other subdivision headings contained herein are for the purpose of convenience only and are not intended to expand, limit or otherwise define the contents of such subdivisions.


 


3.13         Effective Date and Term of Plan


 


(a)           Adoption; Stockholder Approval. The Plan was adopted by the Board on July ___, 2012, subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders. All awards under the Plan prior to such stockholder approval are subject in their entirety to such approval. If such approval is not obtained prior to the first anniversary of the date of adoption of the Plan, the Plan and all awards thereunder shall terminate on that date.


 




 





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(b)           Termination of Plan. Unless sooner terminated by the Board or pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the provisions of the Plan respecting the grant of any award pursuant to which shares of Common Stock will be granted shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Plan by the Board, and no such awards shall thereafter be made under the Plan. All awards made under the Plan prior to the its termination of shall remain in effect until such awards have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Grant Certificates.


 


3.14         Restriction on Issuance of Stock Pursuant to Awards


 


The Company shall not permit any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan unless such shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable, within the meaning of Section 152 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, except as otherwise permitted by Section 153(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.


 


3.15         Deferred Compensation


 


All grants made under the Plan are intended to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of section 409A of the Code so as not subject any grantee to any tax imposed under Code section 409A, and this Plan and each grant made hereunder shall be interpreted accordingly.


 


Notwithstanding anything herein or in any Grant Certificate to the contrary, to the extent that any grant made under this Plan constitutes deferred compensation under Code section 409A that is distributable to the grantee as a result of his termination of employment (for any reason other than his death), if the grantee is then a “specified employee” (as defined in Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(i)), no distribution to such grantee may be made before the date which is six (6) months after such grantee’s termination of employment or, if earlier, the date of the grantee’s death.


 


This Plan does not permit the acceleration of the time or schedule of any distribution under any grant that constitutes deferred compensation under Code section 409A, except as provided by Code section 409A and/or applicable regulations or rulings issued thereunder.


 


3.16         Governing Law


 


Except to the extent preempted by any applicable federal law, the Plan will be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.


 


 


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