EX-10.17






Exhibit 10.17




BELDEN INC.




FORM OF PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT




     THIS PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is effective                     
(the “Grant Date”) by and between Belden Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and
                     (the “Grantee”).



     WHEREAS, the Grantee is an executive or management employee of the Company and has been
selected by the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company
(the “Board”) to receive a grant of                      performance share units (“PSUs”) representing, subject
to certain restrictions, a certain number of shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock,
$0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), such number shall be based on the attainment of
performance objectives as provided below, and to enter into a Performance Share Award Agreement in
the form hereof;



     NOW THEREFORE, the Company and the Grantee hereby agree as follows:



     1. GRANT OF PSUs. The Company hereby grants to the Grantee on the Grant Date the PSUs. Each
PSU represents the right to receive between zero (0) and one and one-half (1.5) of a Restricted
Stock Unit (“RSU”), depending on the attainment of Company performance objectives in accordance
with Section 2 below. Each RSU in turn represents the right to receive one (1) Share, which RSUs
shall vest and become nonforfeitable (“Vest”) in accordance with Section 3 below. The Company
shall hold any awarded RSUs in book-entry form. The Grantee shall have no direct or secured claim
in any specific assets of the Company or the Shares of Common Stock to be issued to Grantee under
Section 5(a) hereof and will have the status of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. The
PSUs and RSUs are granted under the Company’s 2001 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (the
“Plan”) and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. [TO BE INCLUDED IN CERTAIN
2009 EXECUTIVE OFFICER AWARDS: The PSUs are granted subject to the Company’s stockholders approving
an increase in the Plan’s share reserve at the Company’s 2009 annual stockholders’ meeting. If
stockholders fail to approve the increase, the PSUs will be void and the Grantee will receive a
cash equivalent award outside the Plan.] Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without further
definition shall have the same meanings given to such terms in the Plan.



     2. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES.



[FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS




          (a) Award Periods; Performance Objectives. The first award period (the “First Half
Award Period”) during which performance shall be measured is                      through
                    . The Committee has established performance objectives for such First Half
Award Period based on the attainment of financial performance goals. The financial performance
goals are those the Committee



 









 







has established for the Company’s cash incentive plan for the First Half Award Period. The
second award period (the “Second Half Award Period”, with the First Half Award Period, when used
collectively, the “Award Periods” and when used interchangeably, an “Award Period”) during which
performance shall be measured is                      through                     . Later in the
year, the Committee will establish performance objectives for such Second Half Award Period based
on the attainment of separate financial performance goals. 50% of the PSUs are subject to the
First Half Award Period and the other 50% of the PSUs are subject to the Second Half Award Period.
Company performance during an Award Period equates to the targeted number of RSUs (“Target RSUs”)
according to the following schedule:



	 	 	 	 	 
	Company Financial Factor	 	Target RSUs per PSU
	Less than 0.7

	 	 	0	 
	0.7

	 	 	0.5	 
	1.0

	 	 	1.0	 
	1.2 or greater

	 	 	1.5	 





The number of Target RSUs shall be prorated for performance between the foregoing standards. This
calculation establishes the maximum number of Target RSUs that can be provided for each Award
Period, subject to the Committee’s negative discretion. After completion of both Award Periods,
the Committee shall be presented the Target RSU information and shall determine the number (if any)
of RSUs to be awarded, which determination shall be final, conclusive and binding (the date on
which the Committee makes such determination is the “Performance Determination Date”, and the RSUs
that are so awarded are the “Awarded RSUs”).]




[FOR NON-EXECUTIVE OFFICERS




          (a) Award Periods; Performance Objectives. The first award period (the “First Half
Award Period”) during which performance shall be measured is                      through
                    . The Committee has established performance objectives for such First Half Award
Period based on the attainment of financial performance goals. The financial performance goals are
those the Committee
has established for the Company’s cash incentive plan for the First Half Award
Period. The second award period (the “Second Half Award Period”, with the First Half Award Period,
when used collectively, the “Award Periods” and when used interchangeably, an “Award Period”)
during which performance shall be measured is                      through                     . Later in
the year, the Committee will establish performance objectives for such Second Half Award Period
based on the attainment of separate financial performance goals. After completion of both Award
Periods the Company Financial Factors for the two Award Periods will be averaged and will equate to
the targeted number of RSUs (“Target RSUs”) according to the following schedule:




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	Company Financial Factor	 	Target RSUs per PSU
	Less than 0.7
	 	0
	0.7
	 	0.5
	1.0
	 	1.0
	1.2 or greater
	 	1.5





The number of Target RSUs shall be prorated for performance between the foregoing standards. The
Committee shall be presented the Target RSU information and shall determine the number (if any) of
RSUs to be awarded, which determination shall be final, conclusive and binding (the date on which
the Committee makes such determination is the “Performance Determination Date”, and the RSUs that
are so awarded are the “Awarded RSUs”).]




          (b) Death or Disability Prior to Performance Determination Date. If prior to the
Performance Determination Date and while employed by the Company the Grantee dies or becomes
disabled (and leaves the Company) in accordance with any Company disability policy then in effect,
then the Grantee (or, as the case may be, the person entitled by will or the applicable laws of
descent and distribution) shall, after the Award Period, be entitled to receive a prorated portion
of the RSUs that would otherwise (but for such death or disability) be awarded to the Grantee on
the Performance Determination Date pursuant to Section 2(a) above, such prorated portion being a
fraction whose numerator shall be the number of days of the Grantee’s employment by the Company
during the Award Period prior to such death or disability and the denominator of which shall be
                     for the First Half Award Period and                      for the Second Half
Award Period. Such Awarded RSUs shall immediately Vest in full.




          (c) Other Employment Termination. If the Grantee or the Company otherwise terminates
the Grantee’s employment prior to                     , any and all PSUs shall be forfeited,
cancelled and terminated upon such termination. For purposes of this Section 2(c), the applicable
termination date shall be the Grantee’s final day performing his or her job duties, without regard
to any severance or garden leave arrangement.




     3. VESTING OF AWARDED RSUs.



          (a) Generally. Subject to the acceleration of the Vesting pursuant to Section 2(b)
above or Section 3(b) or (d) below, or the forfeiture and termination of the Awarded RSUs pursuant
to Section 3(c) below, one-half (1/2) of the Awarded RSUs shall Vest on the first anniversary of
the Performance Determination Date, and the remaining one-half (1/2) shall Vest on the second
anniversary of the Performance Determination



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Date. All Vested Awarded RSUs shall be paid to the Grantee as provided in Section 5 hereof.




          (b) Death, Disability or Retirement. If, after the award of the Awarded RSUs and
while employed by the Company, the Grantee dies or becomes disabled (and leaves the Company) in
accordance with any Company disability policy then in effect or retires from employment with the
Company under any Company retirement plan then in effect, then any and all unvested Awarded RSUs
shall immediately Vest in full.




          (c) Other Employment Termination. If the Grantee or the Company otherwise terminates
the Grantee’s employment after the award of the Awarded RSUs, any and all Awarded RSUs that are not
Vested at such time shall be forfeited, cancelled and terminated upon such termination. For
purposes of this Section 3(c), the applicable termination date shall be the Grantee’s final day
performing his or her job duties, without regard to any severance or garden leave arrangement.




          (d) Change of Control. Immediately preceding the occurrence of a Change in Control of
the Company (as defined in Section 7(f) below), any and all unvested Awarded RSUs shall immediately
Vest in full, subject to any deferral pursuant to an election under Section 5(b) hereof.




     4. NO TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT OF PSUs OR AWARDED RSUs; RESTRICTIONS ON SALE. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, the PSUs, the Awarded RSUs and the rights and privileges
conferred thereby shall not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred (whether by operation of law
or otherwise) and shall not be subject to sale under execution, attachment, levy or similar process
until the Shares underlying the Awarded RSUs are delivered to the Grantee or his designated
representative. The Grantee agrees not to sell any Shares at any time when applicable laws or
Company policies prohibit a sale. This restriction shall apply as long as the Grantee is an
employee of the Company.



     5. DELIVERY OF SHARES.



          (a) Issuance of Shares. As of the date(s) on which the Awarded RSUs Vest, the Company
shall issue to the Grantee a stock certificate (or register Shares of Common Stock in book-entry
form) representing a number of Shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Awarded RSUs then
vested.




          (b) Withholding Taxes. At the time Shares of Common Stock are issued to the Grantee,
the Company shall satisfy the statutory Federal, state and local withholding tax obligation
(including the FICA and Medicare tax obligation) required by law with respect to the distribution
of Shares from one or more of the following methods, as the Grantee elects: (i) the Grantee may
tender a check or other payment of cash to the Company of such required withholding amount, or (ii)
by withholding from Shares issuable to the Grantee hereunder having an aggregate fair market value
equal to the amount of such required withholding.




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     6. LEGALITY OF INITIAL ISSUANCE. No Shares shall be issued unless and until the Company has
determined that:



          (a) It and the Grantee, at Company’s expense, have taken any actions required to register the
Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to perfect an exemption from the
registration requirements thereof;




          (b) Any applicable listing requirement of any stock exchange or other securities market on
which the Common Stock is listed has been satisfied; and




          (c) Any other applicable provision of state or federal law has been satisfied.




     7. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.



          (a) Rights as a Stockholder. Neither the Grantee nor the Grantee’s representative
shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares underlying the Awarded RSUs until
the date that the Company is obligated to deliver such Shares to the Grantee or the Grantee’s
representative.




          (b) Dividends. Between the Performance Determination Date and the date of Vesting of
the Awarded RSUs (the “Accrual Period”), any dividends or distributions payable with respect to the
number of Shares equal to the number of Awarded RSUs held by the Grantee shall be accumulated and
deferred until the Vesting of the Awarded RSUs. After such Vesting of the Awarded RSUs, the
Company shall promptly distribute to the Grantee all such dividends and distributions accrued
during the Accrual Period.




          (c) No Retention Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Grantee any
right to continue in the employment or service of the Company for any period of specific duration
or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company or of the Grantee,
which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate his employment or service at any
time and for any reason, with or without cause.




          (d) Employment by Subsidiary, etc.. For purposes of this Agreement, employment by a
parent or subsidiary of or a successor to the Company shall be considered employment by the
Company.




          (e) Anti-Dilution. In the event that any change in the outstanding Shares of Common
Stock of the Company (including an exchange of Common Stock for stock or other securities of
another corporation) occurs by reason of a Common Stock dividend or split, recapitalization,
merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of Shares or other similar corporate changes, other
than for consideration received by the Company therefor, the number of Awarded RSUs hereunder, and
the number of Shares distributable pursuant to Vested Awarded RSUs, shall be appropriately adjusted
by the Committee whose determination shall be conclusive, final and binding; provided, however
that fractional Shares shall be rounded to the nearest whole share. In the event



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of any other change in the Common Stock, the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine
whether such change equitably requires a change in the number or type of Shares subject to Awarded
RSUs and any adjustment made by the Committee shall be conclusive, final and binding.




          (f) Change in Control. A “Change in Control” of the Company shall be deemed to have
occurred if any of the events set forth in any one of the following subparagraphs shall occur:





          (i) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of either (y) the then-outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (z) the combined
voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”);
provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the following acquisitions
shall not constitute a Change of Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company,
(2) any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the
Company, or (4) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies
with clauses (1) and (2) of subsection (iii) of this definition; or




          (ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent
Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided,
however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote
of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; or




          (iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business
Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (1) all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock and
the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a
result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such



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Business Combination, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, and (2) at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members
of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the
action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or




          (iv) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company.



          (g) Incorporation of Plan. The provisions of the Plan are incorporated by reference
into these terms and conditions.




          (h) Inconsistency. To the extent any terms and conditions herein conflict with the
terms and conditions of the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control.




          (i) Notices. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery, upon deposit with the United States
Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid or upon deposit with
a reputable overnight courier. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive
office and to the Grantee at the address that he most recently provided to the Company.




          (j) Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement constitutes the entire contract
between the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes any
other agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or
implied) which relate to the subject matter hereof. The Committee shall have authority, subject to
the express provisions of the Plan, to interpret this Agreement and the Plan, to establish, amend
and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to modify the terms and provisions of
this Agreement, and to make all other determinations in the judgment of the Committee necessary or
desirable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any
omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in this Agreement in the manner and to the
extent it shall deem necessary or desirable to carry it into effect. All action by the Committee
under the provisions of this paragraph shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.




          (k) Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware, as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and
performed in such State, without giving effect to the choice of law provisions thereof.




          (l) Successors.




               (i) This Agreement is personal to the Grantee and, except as otherwise provided in Section 4
above, shall not be assignable by the Grantee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, without the written consent of the



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Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Grantee’s
legal representatives.




               (ii) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its
successors. It shall not be assignable except in connection with the sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all the assets or business of the Company.



          (m) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement for any reason should be found
by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in
part, such declaration shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any remaining
provision or portion hereof, which remaining provision or portion hereof shall remain in full force
and effect as if this Agreement had been adopted with the invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provision or portion hereof eliminated.




          (n) Headings. The headings, captions and arrangements utilized in this Agreement
shall not be construed to limit or modify the terms or meaning of this Agreement.




          (o) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute but one
and the same instrument.




     This Agreement is executed by the Company as of the date and year first written above.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BELDEN INC.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	 

	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 





     The undersigned Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of an executed original of this Agreement
and accepts the PSUs granted hereunder, and further agrees to the terms and conditions hereinabove
set forth.



	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 
	 

	 	                                        , Grantee	 	 






     Date:                                         



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