Exhibit 10.1

 

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.

 




 

2012 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 




 

ARTICLE I

 

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors stock-based and other incentives, thereby creating a means to raise the level of equity ownership by such individuals and provide other incentives in order to attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders.

 

The Plan was originally adopted by the Board on May 13, 2004, as the Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan, subject to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company (which was obtained at the 2004 annual stockholders’ meeting).  The performance goals under the Plan were reapproved by the stockholders of the Company at the 2009 annual stockholders’ meeting.  The Plan is amended, restated and renamed as the Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan, effective upon the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of New York.

 

ARTICLE II

 

DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

2.1                               “Acquisition Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(d).

 

2.2                               “Affiliate” means each of the following: (a) any Subsidiary; (b) any Parent; (c) any corporation, trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) that is directly or indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company or one of its Affiliates; (d) any corporation, trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) that directly or indirectly controls 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) of the Company; and (e) any other entity in which the Company or any of its Affiliates has a material equity interest and that is designated as an “Affiliate” by resolution of the Committee.

 

2.3                               “Award” means any award under the Plan of any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Award or Other Stock-Based Award.

 











 

2.4                               “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.5                               “Cause” means with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, the following: (a) in the case where there is an employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words or a concept of like import), “cause” as defined under such agreement; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “cause” applies only on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “cause” shall not apply until a change in control actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination in connection therewith; or (b) in the case where there is no employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such an agreement but it does not define “cause” (or words or a concept of like import)), termination due to a Participant’s insubordination, dishonesty, fraud, incompetence, moral turpitude, willful misconduct, refusal to perform his or her duties or responsibilities for any reason other than illness or incapacity or materially unsatisfactory performance of his or her duties for the Company or an Affiliate, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.  With respect to a Participant’s Termination of Directorship, “cause” means an act or failure to act that constitutes cause for removal of a director under applicable New York law.

 

2.6                               “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any Treasury Regulation promulgated thereunder.

 

2.7                               “Committee” means:  (a) with respect to the application of the Plan to Eligible Employees and Consultants, the Compensation Committee of the Board appointed from time to time by the Board (or another committee or committees of the Board appointed for the purposes of administering the Plan); and (b) with respect to the application of the Plan to Non-Employee Directors, the Board.  In the event that more than one Committee is appointed by the Board, the Board shall specify with respect to each Committee the group of Persons with respect to which such Committee shall have the power to grant Awards.  In the event that more than one Committee is appointed by the Board, then each reference in the Plan to “the Committee” shall be deemed a reference to each such Committee (subject to the last sentence of this paragraph); provided, however, that each such Committee may exercise only the power and authority granted to “the Committee” by the Plan with respect to those Persons to which it has the power to grant Awards as specified in the resolution of the Board appointing such Committee.  Each Committee shall be comprised of two or more Directors.  Each Committee shall consist of two or more non-employee directors, each of whom is intended to be a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, an “outside director” as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code, an “independent director” as defined and to the extent required under the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market or such other applicable securities exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, and, as may be applicable, “independent” as provided pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; provided, however, that to the extent allowed by applicable law, the foregoing shall not

 

2











 

apply to any Committee that does not have the power to grant Awards to executive officers or Directors of the Company or otherwise make any decisions with respect to the timing or the pricing of any Awards granted to such executive officers and Directors.  If for any reason such Committee does not meet the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code, such noncompliance with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, shall not affect the validity of Awards, grants, interpretations or other actions of the Committee.  In the event that more than one Committee is appointed by the Board, the power to amend the Plan granted by Article XI hereof may be exercised only by a Committee comprised solely of “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16(b)-3 under the Exchange Act or by a majority or the entire Board.

 

2.8                               “Common Stock” means the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company.

 

2.9                               “Company” means Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation, and its successors by operation of law.

 

2.10                        “Consultant” means any individual who (either directly or through his or her employer) is an advisor or consultant to, or subject to Section 5.2, a prospective advisor or consultant to, the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2.11                        “Director” means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (or any successor to the Company).

 

2.12                        “Disability” shall mean, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant, a Participant’s “disability” (or term of like import) as such term is defined in the long-term disability plan of the Company applicable to such Participant or, in the absence of such a definition, the inability of a Participant to perform the major duties of his or her occupation for at least 90 days in any 180-day period because of sickness or injury.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Awards under the Plan that provide for payments that are triggered upon a Disability and that constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, Disability shall mean that a Participant is disabled under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) of the Code.

 

2.13                        “Effective Date” means the effective date of the Plan as defined in Article XIV.

 

2.14                        “Eligible Employee” means each employee of, or subject to Section 5.2, each prospective employee of, the Company or an Affiliate.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Eligible Employees shall mean each employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parents, if any, other than a prospective employee, who are eligible pursuant to Article V to be granted Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.

 

2.15                        “Exchange Act”  means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Any references to any section of the Exchange Act shall also be a reference to any successor provision.

 

2.16                        “Fair Market Value” means, for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and

 

3











 

except as provided below, the average of the high and low sales prices reported for the Common Stock on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded; or (b) if not traded on any such national securities exchange, as quoted on an automated quotation system sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.  For purposes of the grant of any Award, the applicable date shall be the date on which the Award is granted, or if the Common Stock shall not have been reported or quoted on such date, on the first day prior thereto on which the Common Stock was reported or quoted.  For purposes of the exercise of any Award, the applicable date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a day on which the applicable market is open, the next day that it is open.

 

2.17                        “Family Member” means “family member” as defined in Section A.1.(a)(5) of the general instructions of Form S-8.

 

2.18                        “Good Reason” means, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Employment, the following: (a) in the case where there is an employment agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “good reason” (or words or a concept of like import), a termination due to good reason (or words or a concept of like import), as defined in such agreement at the time of the grant of the Award; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “good reason” applies only on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “good reason” shall not apply until a change in control actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination thereafter; or (b) if such an agreement does not exist or if “good reason” is not defined in any such agreement, as defined in the Award agreement, if at all.

 

2.19                        Incentive Stock Option” means any Option awarded to an Eligible Employee under the Plan intended to be and designated as an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

2.20                        “Non-Employee Director” means a Director of the Company who is not an active employee of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2.21                        “Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean the right to receive an amount in cash and/or stock equal to the difference between (x) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date such right is exercised, and (y) the aggregate exercise price of such right, otherwise than on surrender of an Option.

 

2.22                        “Option” means any option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to Eligible Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants pursuant to Article VI.

 

2.23                        “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award under Article X of the Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is payable in or otherwise based on, Common Stock.

 

2.24                        “Parent” means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

4











 

2.25                        “Participant” means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

2.26                        “Performance Award” means an Award made pursuant to Article IX of the Plan of the right to receive Common Stock or cash at the end of a specified Performance Period.

 

2.27                        “Performance Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

 

2.28                        “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, incorporated organization, governmental or regulatory or other entity.

 

2.29                        “Plan” means this Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

2.30                        “Prior Plan” means any of the following:  the Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan, the Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan, the Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan, and the Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan, in each case as amended (if at all) through the Effective Date.

 

2.31                        “Reference Stock Option” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

2.32                        “Restricted Stock Award” means an Award of shares of Common Stock, or the right to receive shares of Common Stock in the future, subject to the restrictions under Article VIII.

 

2.33                        “Restriction Period” has the meaning set forth in Subsection 8.3(a) with respect to Restricted Stock Awards.

 

2.34                        “Retirement” means a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy other than for Cause or due to death or Disability at or after age 65 or such earlier date as may be determined by the Committee at the time of grant.  With respect to a Participant’s Termination of Directorship, Retirement means the failure to stand for reelection or the failure to be reelected on or after a Participant has attained age 65.

 

2.35                        “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect or any successor provision.

 

2.36                        “Section 162(m) of the Code” means the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and any Treasury regulations thereunder.

 

2.37                        “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  Any reference to any section of the Securities Act shall also be a reference to any successor provision.

 

2.38                        “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean the right pursuant to an Award granted under Article VII.

 

2.39                        “Subsidiary” means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the

 

5











 

meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

2.40                        “Substitute Awards” mean Awards granted or shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, by a company acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate combines.

 

2.41                        “Tandem Stock Appreciation Right” means the right to surrender to the Company all (or a portion) of an Option in exchange for an amount in cash and/or stock equal to the difference between (i) the Fair Market Value, on the date such Option (or such portion thereof) is surrendered, of the Common Stock covered by such Option (or such portion thereof), and (ii) the aggregate exercise price of such Option (or such portion thereof).

 

2.42                        “Ten Percent Shareholder” means a person owning stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parents, if any.

 

2.43                        “Termination” means a Termination of Consultancy, Termination of Directorship or Termination of Employment, as applicable.

 

2.44                        “Termination of Consultancy” means: (a) that the Consultant is no longer acting as a consultant to the Company or an Affiliate; or (b) when an entity retaining a Participant as a Consultant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, a Consultant to the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate.  In the event that a Consultant becomes an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of his or her consultancy, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Consultancy shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Consultant is no longer any of a Consultant, an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy in the Award agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy thereafter.

 

2.45                        “Termination of Directorship” means that the Non-Employee Director has ceased to be a Director of the Company; except that if a Non-Employee Director becomes an Eligible Employee or a Consultant upon the termination of his or her directorship, his or her ceasing to be a Director of the Company shall not be treated as a Termination of Directorship unless and until the Participant has a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, as the case may be.

 

2.46                        “Termination of Employment” means: (a) a termination of employment (for reasons other than a military or personal leave of absence granted by the Company) of a Participant from the Company and its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity employing a Participant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, employed by the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate.  In the event that an Eligible Employee becomes a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of his or her employment, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Employment shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Eligible Employee is no longer any of an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director.

 

6











 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Employment in the Award agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Employment thereafter.

 

2.47                        “Transfer” means: (a) when used as a noun, any direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other disposition (including the issuance of equity in a Person), whether for value or no value and whether voluntary or involuntary (including by operation of law), and (b) when used as a verb, to directly or indirectly transfer, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, charge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (including by the issuance of equity in a Person) whether for value or for no value and whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including by operation of law).  “Transferred” and “Transferable” shall have a correlative meaning.

 

2.48                        “409A Covered Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.13(b).

 

ARTICLE III

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1                               The Committee.  The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board shall have authority for administration and interpretation of the Plan with respect to Non-Employee Directors and all references herein to the authority of the Committee as applied to Non-Employee Directors shall be deemed to refer to the Board.

 

3.2                               Grants of Awards.  The Committee shall have full authority to grant, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, to Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors: (i) Options, (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted Stock Awards, (iv) Performance Awards, and (v) Other Stock-Based Awards.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall have the authority:

 

(a)                                 to select the Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder, provided that no award may be made to any Non-Employee Director unless all similarly situated Non-Employee Directors have the right to receive the same award on the same terms;

 

(b)                                 to determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible Employees, Consultants or Non-Employee Directors;

 

(c)                                  to determine the number of shares of Common Stock (if any) to be covered by an Award granted hereunder;

 

(d)                                 to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price (if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Award and the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);

 

7











 

(e)                                  to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants of Options and other Awards under the Plan are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of the Plan;

 

(f)                                   to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option may be settled in cash, Common Stock and/or restricted stock under Section 6.2(d);

 

(g)                                  to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Common Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant, provided, however, that any amounts so deferred shall be structured in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code;

 

(h)                                 to determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise dispose of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, following the date of the acquisition of such Award;

 

(i)                                     to modify, extend or renew an Award, subject to Sections 6.2(j) and 11.1 herein;

 

(j)                                    to determine whether an Option is an Incentive Stock Option;

 

(k)                                 solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances to provide loans (which shall be on a recourse basis and shall bear interest at the rate the Committee shall provide) to Participants in order to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Plan;

 

(l)                                     to determine at grant that an Option shall cease to be exercisable or an Award shall be forfeited, or that proceeds or profits applicable to an Award shall be returned to the Company, in the event the Participant engages in detrimental activity with respect to the Company or its Affiliates (as such term is defined by the Committee in the Award agreement) and, to interpret such definition and to approve waivers with regard thereto; and

 

(m)                             to determine whether or not an Award is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

3.3                               Guidelines.  Subject to Article XI hereof, the Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any agreements relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.  The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of the Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action of the Committee under this Section 3.3 shall reduce the rights of any Participant without the Participant’s consent.  To the extent applicable, the Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 and Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan shall be limited, construed and interpreted in a manner so as to comply

 

8











 

therewith.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may adopt special guidelines, provisions and procedures applicable to Awards granted to persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject to, the taxes or laws of, any domestic or foreign jurisdictions to comply with, or to accommodate differences in, applicable laws, regulations, or accounting, listing or other rules with respect to such domestic or foreign jurisdictions.

 

3.4                               Decisions Final.  Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of the Company, the Board or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

3.5                               Procedures.  The Board may designate one of the members of the Committee as chairman and the Committee shall hold meetings, subject to the By-Laws of the Company, at such times and places as it shall deem advisable, including, without limitation, by telephone conference or written consent to the extent permitted by applicable law.  A majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum.  All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members.  Any decision or determination reduced to writing and signed by all the Committee members in accordance with the By-Laws of the Company shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a vote at a meeting duly called and held.  The Committee shall make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable.

 

3.6                               Designation of Consultants/Liability.

 

(a)                                 The Committee may designate employees of the Company and professional advisors to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan and (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable exchange rules) may grant authority to officers to grant Awards and/or execute agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee.

 

(b)                                 The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation received from any such consultant or agent.  Expenses incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company.  The Committee, its members and any person designated pursuant to sub-section (a) above shall not be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan.  To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, no officer of the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under it.

 

3.7                               Indemnification.  To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company and to the extent not covered by insurance directly insuring such person, each officer and member or former member of the Committee or the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any

 

9











 

cost or expense (including reasonable fees of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee), and advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the administration of the Plan, except to the extent arising out of such officer’s, member’s or former member’s own fraud or bad faith.  Such indemnification shall be in addition to any rights of indemnification the employees, officers, Directors or members or former officers, Directors or members may have under applicable law or under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or any Affiliate or any agreement of indemnification.  Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by an individual with regard to Awards granted to him or her under the Plan.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

SHARE LIMITATION

 

4.1                               Shares.

 

(a)                                 Aggregate Limitation.  The following provisions apply in determining the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan.

 

(i)                                     The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or used for reference purposes or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed a total of 43,200,868, which represents an increase of 14,300,000 shares of Common Stock, plus 19,000,000 shares of Common Stock (representing the shares of Common Stock reserved under the Plan prior to the amendment and restatement of the Plan as provided herein and as approved by the Company’s stockholders at its 2004 annual meeting), plus 9,900,868 shares of Common Stock available for grant under the Prior Plans (in each case, subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2), which may be either authorized and unissued Common Stock or Common Stock held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company or both.  Any shares of Common Stock that are subject to Awards of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as one share for every share granted.  Any shares of Common Stock that are subject to Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as 2.20 shares for every share granted.

 

(ii)                                  If any Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan or any stock option granted under a Prior Plan expires, terminates or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying such unexercised Award or Prior Plan option shall again be available for the purpose of Awards under the Plan.  If any Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Awards, or Other Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock awarded under the Plan to a Participant are forfeited for any reason, the number of forfeited shares of Common Stock shall again be available for the purposes of Awards under the Plan.  If a Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with an Option, such grant shall apply only once against the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan.

 

10












 

Shares of Common Stock underlying Awards (or Prior Plan options) that may be settled solely in cash shall not be deemed to use shares that may be issued under the Plan.

 

(iii)          If Common Stock has been delivered or exchanged as full or partial payment to the Company for payment of purchase price of an Award under the Plan other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or for payment of withholding taxes with respect to an Award under the Plan other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares of Common Stock delivered or exchanged as payment of purchase price or for withholding shall again be available for the purposes of Awards under the Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of shares of Common Stock available for the purpose of Awards under this Plan shall be reduced by (i) the total number of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights exercised, regardless of whether any of the shares of Common Stock underlying such Awards are not actually issued to the Participant as the result of a net settlement, and (ii) any shares of Common Stock used to pay any exercise price or tax withholding obligation with respect to any Option or Stock Appreciation Right.  In addition, the Company may not use the cash proceeds it receives from Option exercises to repurchase shares of Common Stock on the open market for reuse under this Plan.

 

(iv)          Any shares of Common Stock that again become available for grant pursuant to this Section 4.1(a) shall be added back as one share if such share were subject to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan or an option granted under a Prior Plan, and for Awards granted on or after the Effective Date, as 2.20 shares if such shares were subject to an Award other than an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan and, for Awards granted prior to the Effective Date, 1.80 shares if such shares were subject to an Award other than an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan.

 

(v)           From and after the date of the Company’s 2004 annual stockholders’ meeting at which the Company’s stockholders approved the Plan (as in effect prior to the amendment and restatement of the Plan as provided herein), the Company shall make no new grants of options under the Prior Plans and the shares available under the Prior Plans shall be made available for grants under the Plan.

 

(b)           Individual Employee Limitations.  The following provisions apply in determining the Awards that may be granted to an individual during a fiscal year of the Company.

 

(i)            The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights that may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to an Eligible Employee shall be, in the aggregate, 1,000,000 shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2).  The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Restricted Stock Awards and/or Other Stock-Based Awards that are subject to the attainment of specified performance goals that may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to an Eligible Employee shall be, in the aggregate, 750,000 shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2).  The

 

11











 

maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Performance Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock that may be granted to an Eligible Employee under the Plan attributable to any year of a Performance Period shall be 750,000 shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2).  If a Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with an Option it shall apply against the Eligible Employee’s individual share limitation applicable to Stock Appreciation Rights and Options.

 

(ii)           The maximum payment that may be made to an Eligible Employee under Performance Awards granted under the Plan and denominated in dollars attributable to any year of a Performance Period shall be $5,000,000.

 

(iii)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that shares of Common Stock or amounts for which Awards are permitted to be granted to an Eligible Employee pursuant to Section 4.1(b) during a fiscal year of the Company or Performance Period, as the case may be, are not covered by an Award in the Company’s fiscal year or Performance Period, as the case may be, such shares of Common Stock or amounts shall be available for grant or issuance to such Eligible Employee in any subsequent fiscal year or years during the term of the Plan.

 

(c)           Substitute Awards.  Substitute Awards shall not reduce the shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1(a) or authorized for grant to an Eligible Employee in any fiscal year of the Company pursuant to Section 4.1(b).  Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or an Affiliate, or with which the Company or an Affiliate combines, has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall be made only to individuals who were not Eligible Employees, Consultants or Non-Employee Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

4.2          Changes.

 

(a)           The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

(b)           Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2(d), in the event of any such change in the

 

12











 

capital structure or business of the Company by reason of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase any Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock, any sale or transfer of all or part of the Company’s assets or business, any special cash dividend or any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing and effected without receipt of consideration by the Company and the Committee determines in good faith that an adjustment is necessary or appropriate under the Plan to prevent substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan, then the aggregate number and kind of shares that thereafter may be issued under the Plan, the number and kind of shares or other property (including cash) to be issued upon exercise of an outstanding Award or under other Awards granted under the Plan and the purchase price thereof shall be appropriately adjusted consistent with such change in such manner as the Committee may deem equitable to prevent substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan, and any such adjustment determined by the Committee in good faith shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and employees and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.  In connection with any event described in this paragraph, the Committee may provide, in its sole discretion, for the cancellation of any outstanding Awards and payment in cash or other property in exchange therefor.  In furtherance of this Section 4.2(b), each outstanding Award shall be adjusted as provided herein in the event of an “equity restructuring” within the meaning of FASB ASC Topic 718.  Except as provided in this Section 4.2 or in the applicable Award agreement, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any issuance by the Company of any class or securities convertible into stock of any class, any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any stock dividend, any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class, any sale or transfer of all or part of the Company’s assets or business or any other change affecting the Company’s capital structure or business.

 

(c)           Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, fractional shares of Common Stock resulting from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to Section 4.2(a) or (b) shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time of exercise by rounding-down for fractions that are less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions that are equal to or greater than one-half.  Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Committee to each Participant whose Award has been adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

 

(d)           In the event of (x) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, (y) any transaction that results in the acquisition of substantially all of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert, or (z) the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (all of the foregoing being referred to as an “Acquisition Event”), then the Committee, in its sole discretion, may terminate all vested and unvested Awards that are outstanding as of the date of Acquisition Event by delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least 20 days prior to the date of the Acquisition Event, in which case, during the period from the date on which such notice of termination is delivered to the date of the Acquisition Event, each such Participant shall have the right to exercise in full all of his or her vested and unvested Awards that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on

 

13











 

vesting or exercisability otherwise contained in the Award agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the consummation of the Acquisition Event, and, provided that, if the Acquisition Event does not occur within a specified period after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void.

 

If an Acquisition Event occurs but the Committee does not terminate the outstanding Awards pursuant to this Section 4.2(d), then the provisions of Section 4.2(b) shall apply.

 

4.3          Minimum Purchase Price.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if authorized but previously unissued shares of Common Stock are issued under the Plan, such shares shall not be issued for a consideration that is less than as permitted under applicable law.

 

ARTICLE V

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

5.1          General Eligibility.  All Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors are eligible to be granted Awards.  Eligibility for the grant of Awards and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Option under which a Participant may receive Common Stock may be granted under the Plan to an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director if such stock does not constitute “service recipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code with respect to such Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director, unless such Option is structured in a manner intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code.

 

5.2          Incentive Stock Options.  Only employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, other than prospective employees, shall be eligible for grants of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.  Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

5.3          General Requirement.  The vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective employee or consultant shall be conditioned upon such individual actually becoming an employee of or consultant to the Company or an Affiliate within a reasonable time thereafter, as determined by the Committee.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

STOCK OPTIONS

 

6.1          Options.  Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  The Committee shall have the authority to grant any Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director one or more Options.  Each Option granted under the Plan shall be one of two types: (i) an Incentive Stock Option intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code; or (ii) a non-qualified Option, not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

14











 

6.2          Terms of Options.  Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

 

(a)           Exercise Price.  The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per-share exercise price of any Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant; provided, however, that if an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, the per share exercise price of any such Option shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.

 

(b)           Option Term.  The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee, provided that no Option shall be exercisable more than eight (8) years after the date the Option is granted; and provided further that the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder shall not exceed five (5) years after the date the Option is granted.

 

(c)           Exercisability.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise at grant or as otherwise provided herein, Options shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at grant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any Option is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that such Option is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such Option may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the schedule according to which any Option shall vest shall be no less than (i) one year, if the vesting terms and conditions are based (in whole or in part) on the attainment of one or more objective performance goals, including, to the extent the Committee so determines, from among those set forth in Exhibit A and (ii) three years, if the vesting terms and conditions are based solely on the continued performance of services by the Participant (with no more than one third of the shares of Common Stock subject thereto vesting on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant); provided, that, subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall be authorized (at the time of grant or thereafter) to provide for the acceleration of vesting in the event of a change in control or a Participant’s retirement (including, without limitation, Retirement), death or Disability; and provided further, that, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i), Options with respect to up to 5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for Awards under the Plan may be granted that are not subject to the foregoing limitations.

 

(d)           Method of Exercise.  Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under subsection (c) above, to the extent vested, Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Option term, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased.  Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price (or arrangements satisfactory to the Committee made for such payment) as follows: (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Common Stock is traded on a national securities exchange or quoted on a national quotation system sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and the Committee

 

15











 

authorizes, through a procedure whereby the Participant delivers irrevocable instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Committee to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the purchase price; or (iii) on such other terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Committee (including, without limitation, the relinquishment of Options or by payment in full or in part in the form of Common Stock (including by attestation) owned by the Participant for such period, or acquired in such manner, as to avoid an incremental charge, for accounting purposes, against the Company’s earnings as reported in the Company’s financial statements (and for which the Participant has good title free and clear of any liens and encumbrances) based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the payment date as determined by the Committee).  No shares of Common Stock shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein, has been made or provided for.

 

(e)           Termination by Death, Disability or Retirement.  Unless otherwise (x) provided in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant or (y) determined by the Committee at grant or (if no rights of the Participant are reduced) thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by reason of death, Disability or Retirement, all Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant (or, in the case of death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a period of one year from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Options; provided, however, that in the case of Retirement, if the Participant dies within such exercise period, all unexercised Options held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they were exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one year from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Options.

 

(f)            Involuntary Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason.  Unless otherwise (x) provided in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant or (y) determined by the Committee at grant, or (if no rights of the Participant are reduced) thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by involuntary termination without Cause or, to the extent applicable, Good Reason, all Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of 90 days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Options.

 

(g)           Voluntary Termination.  Unless otherwise (x) provided in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant or (y) determined by the Committee at grant or (if no rights of the Participant are reduced) thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in subsection (h) (ii) below or covered by (f) above), all Options held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of 90 days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Options.

 

(h)           Termination for Cause.  Unless otherwise (x) provided in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant or (y) determined by the Committee at grant or (if no rights of the Participant are reduced) thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination (i) is for Cause or (ii) is a voluntary Termination after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, all Options held by such Participant, whether or not vested, shall

 

16











 

thereupon terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

 

(i)            Unvested Options.  Unless otherwise (x) provided in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant or (y) determined by the Committee at grant or (if no rights of the Participant are reduced) thereafter, Options that are not vested as of the date of a Participant’s Termination for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

 

(j)            Form, Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options.  Subject to the terms and conditions and within the limitations of the Plan, Options shall be evidenced by such form of agreement or grant as is approved by the Committee, and the Committee may (i) modify, extend or renew outstanding Options granted under the Plan (provided that the rights of a Participant are not reduced without his or her consent), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Options (up to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an outstanding Option may not be modified to reduce the exercise price thereof nor may a new Option at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Option (other than adjustments or substitutions in accordance with Section 4.2), unless such action is approved by the stockholders of the Company.

 

(k)           Early Exercise.  The Committee may provide that an Option include a provision whereby the Participant may elect at any time before the Participant’s Termination to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option and such shares shall be subject to the provisions of Article VIII and treated as restricted stock.  Any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Committee determines to be appropriate.

 

(l)            Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as non-qualified stock options. In addition, if an Eligible Employee does not remain employed by the Company or any Subsidiary at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three (3) months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by applicable law), such Option shall be treated as a non-qualified stock option. Should any provision of the Plan not be necessary in order for the Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend the Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

 

(m)          Other Terms and Conditions.  Options may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

 

17











 

ARTICLE VII

 

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

7.1          Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.  Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be granted in conjunction with all or part of any Option (a “Reference Stock Option”) granted under the Plan.  Each Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of its Reference Stock Option.

 

7.2          Terms and Conditions of Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.  Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, and the following:

 

(a)           Exercise Price.  The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be the exercise price of the Reference Stock Option as determined in accordance with Section 6.2(a).

 

(b)           Term.  A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or applicable portion thereof granted with respect to a Reference Stock Option shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the Reference Stock Option, except that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by the Reference Stock Option shall not be reduced until and then only to the extent the exercise or termination of the Reference Stock Option causes the number of shares covered by the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right to exceed the number of shares remaining available and unexercised under the Reference Stock Option.

 

(c)           Exercisability.  Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the Reference Stock Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Article VI, and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.2(c).

 

(d)           Method of Exercise.  A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by the Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the Reference Stock Option.  Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed in this Section 7.2.  Options that have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the related Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights have been exercised.

 

(e)           Payment.  Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Common Stock (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock over the Option exercise price per share specified in the Reference Stock Option agreement multiplied by the number of shares in respect of which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.

 

(f)            Deemed Exercise of Reference Stock Option.  Upon the exercise of a Tandem

 

18











 

Stock Appreciation Right for Common Stock, the Reference Stock Option (or part thereof, based on the value of the Common Stock issued on exercise) to which such Stock Appreciation Right is related shall be deemed to have been exercised for purposes of the limitation set forth in Article IV of the Plan on the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan.

 

7.3          Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.  Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may also be granted without reference to any Options granted under the Plan.

 

7.4          Terms and Conditions of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.  Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, and the following:

 

(a)           Exercise Price.  The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.

 

(b)           Term.  The term of each Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall not exceed eight (8) years after the date the right is granted.

 

(c)           Exercisability.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise at grant or as otherwise provided herein, Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at grant.  If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any such right is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that it is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such right may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the schedule according to which any Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall vest shall be no less than (i) one year, if the vesting terms and conditions are based (in whole or in part) on the attainment of one or more objective performance goals, including, to the extent the Committee so determines, from among those set forth in Exhibit A and (ii) three years, if the vesting terms and conditions are based solely on the continued performance of services by the Participant (with no more than one third of the shares of Common Stock subject thereto vesting on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant); provided, that, subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall be authorized (at the time of grant or thereafter) to provide for the acceleration of vesting in the event of a change in control or a Participant’s retirement (including, without limitation, Retirement), death or Disability; and provided further, that, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 4.1(a), Options with respect to up to 5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for Awards under the Plan may be granted that are not subject to the foregoing limitations.

 

(d)           Method of Exercise.  Subject to the installment, exercise and waiting period provisions that apply under subsection (b) above, Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part at any time in accordance with the applicable Award agreement, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Non-Tandem

 

19











 

Stock Appreciation Rights to be exercised.

 

(e)           Payment.  Upon the exercise of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised, an amount in cash and/or Common Stock (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant) no greater than the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date the right is exercised over the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date the right was awarded to the Participant.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

8.1          Restricted Stock Awards.  Restricted Stock Awards may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  The Committee shall determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors, to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock Awards shall be made, the number of shares to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 8.2), the time or times within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the Awards.

 

8.2          Awards and Certificates.  Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors selected to receive a Restricted Stock Award shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such Participant has delivered a fully executed copy of the agreement evidencing the Award to the Company or has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award (including, without limitation, procedures or provisions regarding the deemed acceptance of such Award).  Further, such Award shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(a)           Purchase Price.  Unless (x) otherwise provided by the Committee or (y) prohibited by applicable law, the purchase price of a Restricted Stock Award shall be zero.  If required by law or the Committee otherwise determines that a Restricted Stock Award shall have a purchase price, such purchase price shall not be less than par value.

 

(b)           Acceptance.  Restricted Stock Awards must be accepted within a period of 60 days (or such shorter period as the Committee may specify at grant) after the grant date, by executing an Award agreement or otherwise accepting such Award and by paying the price (if any) the Committee has designated thereunder.

 

8.3          Restrictions and Conditions.  Restricted Stock Awards awarded pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

 

(a)           Restriction Period.

 

(i)            The Participant shall not be permitted to Transfer a Restricted Stock Award awarded under the Plan during the period or periods set by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”) commencing on the date of such Award, as set forth in the Award agreement and such agreement shall set forth a vesting schedule and any

 

20












 

events that would accelerate vesting of the Restricted Stock Award.  Subject to the limitations provided in Section 8.3(a)(i), the Committee in its sole discretion may (A) provide for the lapse of restrictions in whole or in part, (B) accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award and/or (C) waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of any such Award.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Restriction Period with respect to any Restricted Stock Award shall be no less than (x) one year, if the lapsing of restrictions is based (in whole or in part) on the attainment of one or more objective performance goals, including, to the extent the Committee so determines, from among those set forth in Exhibit A and (y) three years, if the lapsing of restrictions is based solely on the continued performance of services by the Participant (with restrictions as to no more than one third of the shares of Common Stock subject thereto lapsing on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant); provided, that, subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall be authorized (at the time of grant or thereafter) to provide for the earlier lapsing of restrictions in the event of a change in control or a Participant’s retirement (including, without limitation, Retirement), death or Disability; and provided further, that, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 4.1(a), Restricted Stock Awards with respect to up to 5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for Awards under the Plan may be granted that are not subject to the foregoing limitations.

 

(ii)                                  Objective Performance Goals, Formulas or Standards.  If the grant of a Restricted Stock Award or the lapse of restrictions is based on the attainment of performance goals, the Committee shall establish the objective performance goals, including, to the extent the Committee so determines, from among those set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and the applicable vesting percentage of the Restricted Stock Award applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable fiscal year or at such later date as otherwise determined by the Committee and while the outcome of the performance goals are substantially uncertain.

 

(b)                                 Rights as a Stockholder; Dividends.  Except as provided in this subsection (b) and except as otherwise determined by the Committee, with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company including, without limitation, the right to receive any dividends, the right to vote such shares and, subject to and conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Common Stock, the right to tender such shares.  The payment of dividends on any Restricted Stock Award shall be deferred until, and conditioned upon, the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period.

 

(c)                                  Termination.  Unless otherwise (x) provided in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant or (y) determined by the Committee at grant or (if no rights of the Participant are reduced) thereafter, subject to the applicable provisions of the Award agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted Stock Awards still subject to restriction will vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant or thereafter.

 

(d)                                 Lapse of Restrictions.  If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior 

 

21











 

forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Award, certificates for shares attributable to such Award shall be delivered to the Participant (or, if certificates were previously issued, replacement certificates shall be delivered upon return of the previously issued certificates).  All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery to the Participant, except as otherwise required by applicable law or other limitations imposed by the Committee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, actual certificates shall not be issued to the extent that book entry recordkeeping is used.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

 

9.1                               Performance Awards.  Performance Awards may be awarded either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  The Committee shall determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors, to whom, and the time or times at which, Performance Awards shall be awarded, the number of Performance Awards to be awarded to any person, the duration of the period (the “Performance Period”) during which, and the conditions under which, a Participant’s right to Performance Awards will be vested, the ability of Participants to defer receipt of Performance Awards, and the other terms and conditions of the Award in addition to those set forth in Section 9.2.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise at grant, the minimum Performance Period shall be one year.

 

The Committee shall condition the right to payment or vesting of any Performance Award upon the attainment of objective performance goals established pursuant to Section 9.2(b) below.

 

9.2                               Terms and Conditions.  Performance Awards awarded pursuant to this Article IX shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                                 Earning or Vesting of Performance Award.  At the expiration of the applicable Performance Period, the Committee shall determine the extent to which the performance goals established pursuant to Section 9.2(b) are achieved and the percentage of each Performance Award that has been earned or vested.

 

(b)                                 Objective Performance Goals, Formulas or Standards.  The Committee shall establish the objective performance goals, including, to the extent the Committee so determines, from among those set forth in Exhibit A hereto, for the earning of Performance Awards based on a Performance Period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable Performance Period or, to the extent such Award is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, at such later date as permitted thereunder and while the outcome of the performance goals are substantially uncertain.

 

(c)                                  Dividends.  Amounts equal to any dividends declared during the Performance Period with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock covered by a Performance Award will not be paid to the Participant during the Performance Period.

 

(d)                                 Payment.  Following the Committee’s determination, shares of Common Stock and/or cash, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant, shall be 

 

22











 

delivered to the Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director, or his legal representative, in an amount equal to such individual’s earned or vested Performance Award.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion and, to the extent Section 162(m) of the Code is applicable, in accordance therewith, (i) award a number of shares of Common Stock or an amount of cash less than the earned Performance Award and/or (ii) subject the payment of all or part of any Performance Award to additional vesting, forfeiture and deferral conditions.

 

(e)                                  Termination.  Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the Performance Period for a Performance Award, such Performance Award will vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter.

 

(f)                                   Accelerated Vesting.  Upon (x) a change in control, (y) a Participant’s without Cause or Good Reason termination or termination by reason of death, Disability or Retirement, or (z) if required pursuant to an agreement in existence prior to the date of grant to which the Participant is a party, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Performance Award or waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of such Award.

 

ARTICLE X

 

OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS

 

10.1                        Other Awards.  Subject to the share limitations set forth in Section 4.1(a), the Committee is authorized to grant to Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors Other Stock-Based Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, shares of Common Stock, including, but not limited to, (a) shares of Common Stock awarded purely as a bonus in lieu of cash and not subject to any restrictions or conditions, (b) shares of Common Stock in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate, (c) stock equivalent units, (d) restricted stock units, and (e) Awards valued by reference to book value of shares of Common Stock.  To the extent permitted by law, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Eligible Employees and/or Non-Employee Directors to defer all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of Other Stock-Based Awards granted under the Plan, subject to the terms and conditions of any deferred compensation arrangement established by the Company, which shall be structured in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code.  Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have authority to determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors, to whom, and the time or times at which, such Awards shall be made, the number of shares of Common Stock to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards.

 

The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards upon the attainment of specified performance goals, including, to the extent the Committee so 

 

23











 

determines, from among those set forth on Exhibit A hereto, as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, including to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.  If the grant or vesting of an Other Stock-Based Award is based on the attainment of performance criteria, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, establish the objective performance criteria and the applicable vesting percentage of the Other Stock-Based Award applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable performance period or at such later date while the outcome of the performance goals are substantially uncertain as otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and that is permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code with regard to an Other Stock-Based Award that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code.  With regard to an Other Stock-Based Award that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, (A) to the extent any provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect and (B) the applicable performance criteria shall be based on one or more of the performance goals set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

 

10.2                        Terms and Conditions.  Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article X shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                                 Dividends.  The recipient of an Award under this Article X shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award, except that the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, to provide for the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents on the Award solely on or following the vesting of the Award.

 

(b)                                 Vesting.  Any Award under this Article X and any Common Stock covered by any such Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so provided in the Award agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the schedule according to which any Award under this Article X shall vest shall be no less than (i) one year, if the vesting terms and conditions are based (in whole or in part) on the attainment of one or more objective performance goals, including, to the extent the Committee so determines, from among those set forth in Exhibit A and (ii) three years, if the vesting terms and conditions are based solely on the continued performance of services by the Participant (with no more than one third of the shares of Common Stock subject thereto vesting on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant); provided, that, subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall be authorized (at the time of grant or thereafter) to provide for the acceleration of vesting in the event of a change in control or a Participant’s retirement (including, without limitation, Retirement), death or Disability; and provided further, that, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 4.1(a), Awards under this Article X with respect to up to 5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for Awards under the Plan may be granted that are not subject to the foregoing limitations.

 

(c)                                  Price.  Common Stock issued on a bonus basis under this Article X may be issued for no cash consideration.  However, in no event will an option to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Plan be granted with a per-share purchase price as of the date of grant of less than Fair Market Value.

 

24











 

ARTICLE XI

 

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN/NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

 

11.1                        Termination or Amendment.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board (or a duly authorized Committee thereof) may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the Company may comply with any regulatory requirement referred to in Article XIII), or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided, however, that, except (x) to correct obvious drafting errors or as otherwise required by law or applicable accounting rules, or (y) as specifically provided herein, the rights of a Participant with respect to Awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension or termination, may not be reduced without the consent of such Participant and, provided, further, without the approval of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock entitled to vote in accordance with applicable law, no amendment may be made that would (i) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan under Section 4.1(a) (except by operation of Section 4.2); (ii) increase the maximum individual limitations for a fiscal year or year of a Performance Period under Section 4.1(b) (except by operation of Section 4.2); (iii) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan; (iv) extend the maximum option period under Section 6.2; (v) alter the performance goals as set forth in Exhibit A; or (vi) require stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code or, to the extent applicable to Incentive Stock Options, Section 422 of the Code.  In no event may the Plan be amended without the approval of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of New York to increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, decrease the minimum exercise price of any Award, amend the terms of outstanding Awards to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or to cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (where prior to the reduction or cancellation the exercise price equals or exceeds the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock underlying such Awards) in exchange for cash, other Awards or Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, or to make any other amendment that would require stockholder approval under the rules of any securities exchange or system on which the Company’s securities are listed or traded at the request of the Company.  The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV above, except (x) to correct obvious drafting errors or as otherwise required by law or applicable accounting rules, or (y) as specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall reduce the rights of any holder without the holder’s consent.

 

11.2                        Non-Transferability of Awards.  Except as the Committee may permit, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter, no Award shall be Transferable by the Participant (including, without limitation to, a Family Member) otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Awards shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant.  Any attempt to Transfer any Award or benefit not otherwise permitted by the Committee in accordance with the foregoing sentence shall be void, and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities,

 

25











 

engagements or torts of any person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such person.  An Option that is Transferred pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently Transferred otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, except as may otherwise be permitted by the Committee and (ii) remains subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award agreement.  Any shares of Common Stock acquired by a permissible transferee shall continue to be subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award agreement.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

UNFUNDED PLAN

 

12.1                        Unfunded Status of Plan.  The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation.  With respect to any payments as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but that are not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

13.1                        Legend and Custody.  The Committee may require each person receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Option or other Award under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.  In addition to any legend required by the Plan, the certificates for such shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on Transfer.

 

All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under (a) the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (b) any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, or (c) applicable law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

 

If stock certificates are issued in respect of an Award, the Committee may require that any stock certificates evidencing such Award be held in custody by the Company until the Award has vested or the restrictions thereon have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any grant of such an Award, the Participant shall have delivered a duly signed stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Common Stock covered by such Award.

 

13.2                        Other Plans.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent 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.

 

26











 

13.3                        No Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy.  Neither the Plan nor the grant of any Option or other Award hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment, consultancy or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall they be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non-Employee Director is retained to terminate his or her employment, consultancy or directorship at any time.

 

13.4                        Withholding of Taxes.  The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment to be made pursuant to the Plan, or to otherwise require, prior to the issuance or delivery of any shares of Common Stock or the payment of any cash hereunder, payment by the Participant of any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld.  Upon the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award (or other Award that is taxable upon vesting), or upon making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, a Participant shall pay all required withholding to the Company.  The minimum statutorily required withholding obligation with regard to any Participant may be satisfied, subject to the consent of the Committee, by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable or by delivering shares of Common Stock already owned.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any fraction of a share of Common Stock required to satisfy such tax obligations shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share of Common Stock and subject to withholding.

 

13.5                        Listing and Other Conditions.

 

(a)                                 Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national securities association, the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such shares being listed on such exchange or system.  The Company shall have no obligation to issue such shares unless and until such shares are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.

 

(b)                                 If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Option or other Award is or may be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act or otherwise, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company.

 

(c)                                  Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 13.5, any Award affected by such suspension that shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all shares available before such suspension and as to shares that would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any Award.

 

(d)                                 A Participant shall be required to supply the Company with any certificates, 

 

27











 

representations and information that the Company requests, and otherwise to cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent or approval as the Company deems necessary or appropriate.

 

13.6                        Governing Law.  The Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable New York principles of conflict of laws).

 

13.7                        Construction.  Wherever any words are used in the Plan in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever any words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

 

13.8                        Other Benefits.  No Award granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefits under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.

 

13.9                        Costs.  The Company shall bear all expenses associated with administering the Plan, including expenses of issuing Common Stock pursuant to any Awards hereunder.

 

13.10                 No Right to Same Benefits.  The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Awards to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.

 

13.11                 Death/Disability.  The Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with written notice of the Participant’s death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer of an Award.  The Committee may also require that the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

13.12                 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.  All elections and transactions under the Plan by persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act involving shares of Common Stock are intended to comply with any applicable exemptive condition under Rule 16b-3.  The Committee may establish and adopt written administrative guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance with Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary or proper for the administration and operation of the Plan and the transaction of business thereunder.

 

13.13                 Section 409A of the Code.

 

(a)                                 Although the Company does not guarantee the particular tax treatment of an Award granted under the Plan, Awards made under the Plan are intended to comply with, or be exempt from, the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Plan and any Award agreement hereunder shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.  In no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on a Participant by Section 409A of the 

 

28











 

Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in an Award to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to any Award granted under the Plan that constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” pursuant to Section 409A of the Code (a “409A Covered Award”):

 

(i)                                     A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of a 409A Covered Award providing for payment upon or following a termination of the Participant’s employment unless such termination is also a “Separation from Service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of the 409A Covered Award, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean Separation from Service. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan or the Award, if the Participant is deemed on the date of the Participant’s Termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology set forth in Code Section 409A, then with regard to any such payment under a 409A Covered Award, to the extent required to be delayed in compliance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, such payment shall not be made prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service, and (ii) the date of the Participant’s death. All payments delayed pursuant to this Section 13.13(b)(i) shall be paid to the Participant on the first day of the seventh month following the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service or, if earlier, on the date of the Participant’s death.

 

(ii)                                  Whenever a payment under a 409A Covered Award specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

13.14                 Successor and Assigns.  The Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate.

 

13.15                 Severability of Provisions.  If any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

 

13.16                 Payments to Minors, Etc.  Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent person or other person incapable of receipt thereof shall be deemed paid when paid to such person’s guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Committee, the Board, the Company, its Affiliates and their employees, agents and representatives with respect thereto.

 

13.17                 Headings and Captions.  The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be 

 

29











 

employed in the construction of the Plan.

 

13.18                 Electronic Communications.  Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, any Award agreement, notice of exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or other document or notice required or permitted by this Plan that is required to be delivered in writing may, to the extent determined by the Committee, be delivered and accepted electronically.  Signatures may also be electronic if permitted by the Committee.  The term “written agreement” as used in the Plan shall include any document that is delivered and/or accepted electronically.

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

 

The Plan, as amended and restated, shall become effective upon the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of New York.  If the Plan is not so approved by the stockholders, all provisions of the Bed Bath & Beyond 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan shall remain effective and the Plan, as amended and restated herein, shall be void ab initio.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

TERM OF PLAN

 

No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date the Board adopts the Plan or the date of stockholder approval, but Awards granted prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date; provided that no Award (other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) that is intended to be “performance-based” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be granted on or after the first meeting of the Company’s stockholders that occurs in the fifth year following the year of stockholder approval of the Plan unless the Performance Goals set forth on Exhibit A are re-approved (or other designated performance goals are approved) by the stockholders of the Company.  In the event that any such Award is granted, the Award shall be a valid Award but it shall not qualify for the “performance-based compensation” exception under Section 162(m) of the Code unless it is granted subject to the approval of, and is approved by, the stockholders at the first stockholder meeting following such grant.

 

ARTICLE XVI

 

NAME OF PLAN

 

The Plan shall be known as “Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan.”

 

30












 

EXHIBIT A

 

PERFORMANCE GOALS

 

Performance goals established for purposes of the vesting of performance-based Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Awards and/or Other Stock-Based Awards intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code shall be based on one or more of the following performance goals (“Performance Goals”): (i) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, enterprise value or value creation targets of the Company (or any subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company); (ii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in after-tax or pre-tax profits of the Company, including without limitation that attributable to continuing and/or other operations of the Company (or in either case a subsidiary, division, or other operational unit of the Company); (iii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, operational cash flow or economic value added of the Company (or a subsidiary, division, or other operational unit of the Company); (iv) the attainment of a certain target level of, or a specified increase in, gross or operating margins of the Company (or a subsidiary, division, or other operational unit of the Company); (v) the attainment of a certain level of reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in all or a portion of, the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee; (vi) the attainment of a specified percentage increase in earnings per share or earnings per share from continuing operations of the Company (or a subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company); (vii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified percentage increase in, net sales, revenues, net income or earnings before income tax or other exclusions of the Company (or a subsidiary, division, or other operational unit of the Company); (viii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, return on capital employed or return on invested capital of the Company (or any subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company); (ix) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in, after-tax or pre-tax return on stockholder equity of the Company (or any subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company); (x) the attainment of certain target levels in the fair market value of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock; (xi) the growth in the value of an investment in the Company’s Common Stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends; or (xii) a transaction that results in the sale of stock or assets of the Company.  To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, unless the Committee otherwise determines, in its sole discretion, the Committee shall disregard and exclude the impact of the following items, events, occurrences or circumstances: (i) restructurings, discontinued operations, disposal of a business, extraordinary items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges, events or circumstances, (ii) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company (or a subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company) or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management, (iii) the operations of any business acquired by the Company (or a subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company), or (iv) a change in accounting standards required by generally accepted accounting principles.  To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may also adjust the Performance Goals to reflect other items, events, occurrences or circumstances or disregard or exclude the impact of such items, events, occurrences or circumstances.

 











 

In addition, such Performance Goals may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company (or subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company) performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other corporations.  The Committee may: (i) designate additional business criteria on which the performance goals may be based or (ii) adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned business criteria.