Vertex Energy, Inc. S-8 







 


Exhibit
4.3


 





VERTEX
ENERGY, INC.


 


2019
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN


 


NOTICE
OF RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT


 


Capitalized
but otherwise undefined terms in this Notice of Restricted Stock Grant and the attached Restricted Stock Grant Agreement shall
have the same defined meanings as in the Vertex Energy, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time)(the “Plan”).


 


Grantee
Name: _______________________________________________


 


Address:
_______________________________________________


 


You
have been granted Restricted Stock subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the attached Restricted Stock Grant Agreement,
as follows:


 


Date
of Grant: _______________________________________________


 


Vesting
Commencement Date:___________________________________


 


Price
Per Share:______________________________________________


 


Total
Number of Shares Granted:_________________________________


 


Total
Value of Shares Granted:___________________________________


 


Total
Purchase Price:________________________________________


 


Agreement
Date:_____________________________________________


 


Vesting
Schedule: __________________________________________


 


 




    
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2019 Restricted Stock Grant Agreement



     


    

 


VERTEX
ENERGY, INC.


 


2019
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN


 


RESTRICTED
STOCK GRANT AGREEMENT


 


This RESTRICTED
STOCK GRANT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of the Agreement Date specified on the Notice
of Restricted Stock Grant is made by and between Vertex Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”),
and the grantee named in the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant (the “Grantee,” which term
as used herein shall be deemed to include any successor to Grantee by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, unless
the context shall otherwise require).


 


BACKGROUND


 


Pursuant
to the Plan, the Board (or an authorized Committee thereof), approved the issuance to Grantee, effective as of the date set forth
above, of an award of the number of shares of Restricted Stock as is set forth in the attached Notice of Restricted Stock Grant
(which is expressly incorporated herein and made a part hereof, the “Notice of Restricted Stock Grant”)
at the purchase price per share of Restricted Stock (the “Purchase Price”), if any, set forth in the
attached Notice of Restricted Stock Grant, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.


 


NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and undertakings hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:


 


1.              Grant
and Purchase of Restricted Stock. The Company hereby grants to Grantee, and Grantee hereby accepts the Restricted Stock
set forth in the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant, subject to the payment by Grantee of the total purchase price, if any, set
forth in the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant.


 


2.              Stockholder
Rights.


 


(a)            Voting
Rights. Until such time as all or any part of the Restricted Stock are forfeited to the Company under this Agreement, if ever,
Grantee (or any successor in interest) has the rights of a stockholder, including voting rights, with respect to the Restricted
Stock subject, however, to the transfer restrictions or any other restrictions set forth in the Plan.


 


(b)            Dividends
and Other Distributions. During the period of restriction, Participants holding Restricted Stock are entitled to all regular
cash dividends or other distributions paid with respect to all shares while they are so held. If any such dividends or distributions
are paid in shares, such shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted
Stock with respect to which they were paid.


 


3.              Vesting
of Restricted Stock.


 


(a)            The
Restricted Stock are restricted and subject to forfeiture until vested. The Restricted Stock which have vested and are no longer
subject to forfeiture are referred to as “Vested Shares.” All Restricted Stock which have not become
Vested Shares are referred to as “Nonvested Shares.”


 


(b)            Restricted
Stock will vest and become nonforfeitable in accordance with the vesting schedule contained in the Notice of Restricted Stock
Grant.


 


(c)            Any
Nonvested Shares of Grantee will automatically vest and become nonforfeitable if Grantee’s service with the Company ceases
owing to the Grantee’s (a) death, (b) Disability, or (c) Retirement, unless the Board (or an authorized committee thereof)
provides otherwise.


 


 


 


(d)           In
the event of a Change of Control, the Board (or an authorized committee thereof), in its discretion, may accelerate the time at
which all or any portion of Grantee’s Restricted Stock will vest.


 






    
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(e)          Terms
used in Section 3 and Section 4 have the following meanings:


 


(i)           “Cause”
has the meaning ascribed to such term or words of similar import in Grantee’s written employment or service contract with
the Company or its subsidiaries and, in the absence of such agreement or definition, means Grantee’s (i) conviction
of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) fraud on or misappropriation
of any funds or property of the Company or its subsidiaries, or any affiliate, customer or vendor; (iii) personal dishonesty,
incompetence, willful misconduct, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than minor traffic violations or similar
offenses), or breach of fiduciary duty which involves personal profit; (iv) willful misconduct in connection with Grantee’s
duties or willful failure to perform Grantee’s responsibilities in the best interests of the Company or its subsidiaries;
(v) illegal use or distribution of drugs; (vi) violation of any material rule, regulation, procedure or policy of the
Company or its subsidiaries, the violation of which could have a material detriment to the Company; or (vii) material breach
of any provision of any employment, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other similar agreement executed by Grantee
for the benefit of the Company or its subsidiaries, all as reasonably determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, which
determination will be conclusive.


 


(ii)          “Retirement”
means Grantee’s retirement from Company employ at or above the age 65 as determined in accordance with the policies of the
Company or its subsidiaries, if any, in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, which determination will be final
and binding on all parties concerned.


 


(f)           Nonvested
Shares may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, whether by operation
of law or otherwise. The restrictions set forth in this Section will terminate upon a Change of Control.


 


4.            Forfeiture
of Nonvested Shares. Except as provided herein, if Grantee’s service with the Company ceases for any reason other than
Grantee’s (a) death, (b) Disability, or (c) Retirement, any Nonvested Shares will be automatically forfeited to the Company;
provided, however, that the Board (or an authorized committee thereof) may cause any Nonvested Shares immediately to vest and
become nonforfeitable if Grantee’s service with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause.


 


(a)          Legend.
Each certificate representing Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant may bear a legend substantially
as follows:


 


“THE
SALE OR OTHER TRANSFER OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE, WHETHER VOLUNTARY, INVOLUNTARY OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, IS
SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE VERTEX ENERGY, INC. 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AND IN A RESTRICTED
SHARE GRANT AGREEMENT. A COPY OF SUCH PLAN AND SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM VERTEX ENERGY, INC.”


 


(b)          Escrow
of Nonvested Shares. The Company has the right to retain the certificates representing Nonvested Shares in the Company’s
possession until such time as all restrictions applicable to such shares have been satisfied.


 


(c)          Removal
of Restrictions. The Participant is entitled to have the legend removed from certificates representing Vested Shares.


 


5.            Recapitalizations,
Exchanges, Mergers, Etc. The provisions of this Agreement apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to any
and all shares of capital stock of the Company or successor of the Company which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for,
or in substitution for the Restricted Stock by reason of any stock dividend, split, reverse split, combination, recapitalization,
reclassification, merger, consolidation or otherwise which does not terminate this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein,
this Agreement is not intended to confer upon any other person except the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.


 






    
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6.             Grantee
Representations.


 


Grantee
represents to the Company the following:


 


(a)            Restrictions
on Transfer. Grantee acknowledges that the Restricted Stock to be issued to Grantee must be held indefinitely unless subsequently
registered and qualified under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or unless
an exemption from registration and qualification is otherwise available. In addition, Grantee understands that the certificate
representing the Restricted Stock will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of such Restricted Stock unless
they are sold in a transaction in compliance with the Securities Act or are registered and qualified or such registration and
qualification are not required in the opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company.


 


(b)            Relationship
to the Company; Experience. Grantee either has a preexisting business or personal relationship with the Company or any of
its officers, directors or controlling persons or, by reason of Grantee’s business or financial experience or the business
or financial experience of Grantee’s personal representative(s), if any, who are unaffiliated with and who are not compensated
by the Company or any affiliate or selling agent, directly or indirectly, has the capacity to protect Grantee’s own interests
in connection with Grantee’s acquisition of the Restricted Stock to be issued to Grantee hereunder. Grantee and/or Grantee’s
personal representative(s) have such knowledge and experience in financial, tax and business matters to enable Grantee and/or
them to utilize the information made available to Grantee and/or them in connection with the acquisition of the Restricted Stock
to evaluate the merits and risks of the prospective investment and to make an informed investment decision with respect thereto.


 


(c)            Grantee’s
Liquidity. In reaching the decision to invest in the Restricted Stock, Grantee has carefully evaluated Grantee’s financial
resources and investment position and the risks associated with this investment, and Grantee acknowledges that Grantee is able
to bear the economic risks of the investment. Grantee (i) has adequate means of providing for Grantee’s current needs
and possible personal contingencies, (ii) has no need for liquidity in Grantee’s investment, (iii) is able to
bear the substantial economic risks of an investment in the Restricted Stock for an indefinite period and (iv) at the present
time, can afford a complete loss of such investment. Grantee’s commitment to investments which are not readily marketable
is not disproportionate to Grantee’s net worth and Grantee’s investment in the Restricted Stock will not cause Grantee’s
overall commitment to become excessive.


 


(d)           Access
to Data. Grantee acknowledges that during the course of this transaction and before deciding to acquire the Restricted Stock,
Grantee has been provided with financial and other written information about the Company. Grantee has been given the opportunity
by the Company to obtain any information and ask questions concerning the Company, the Restricted Stock, and Grantee’s investment
that Grantee felt necessary; and to the extent Grantee availed himself/herself of that opportunity, Grantee has received satisfactory
information and answers concerning the business and financial condition of the Company in response to all inquiries in respect
thereof.


 


(e)            Risks.
Grantee acknowledges and understands that (i) an investment in the Company constitutes a high risk, (ii) the Restricted
Stock are highly speculative, and (iii) there can be no assurance as to what investment return, if any, there may be. Grantee
is aware that the Company may issue additional securities in the future which could result in the dilution of Grantee’s
ownership interest in the Company.


 


(f)             Valid
Agreement. This Agreement when executed and delivered by Grantee will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of
Grantee which is enforceable in accordance with its terms.


 


(g)            Residence.
The address set forth on the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant is Grantee’s current address and accurately sets forth Grantee’s
place of residence.


 


(h)            Tax
Consequences. Grantee has reviewed with Grantee’s own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences
of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Grantee is relying solely on such advisors and not on
any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. Grantee understands that Grantee (and not the Company)
is responsible for Grantee’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Grantee understands that Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
taxes as ordinary income the difference between the purchase price for the Restricted Stock and the fair market value of the Restricted
Stock as of the date any restrictions on the Restricted Stock lapse. Grantee understands that Grantee may elect to be taxed at
the time the Restricted Stock is purchased rather than when and as the restrictions lapse by filing an election under Section 83(b)
of the Code with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days from the date of purchase. The form for making this election is attached
as Exhibit A hereto.


 






    
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GRANTEE
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS GRANTEE’S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE COMPANY’S TO FILE TIMELY ANY ELECTION UNDER SECTION
83(b), EVEN IF GRANTEE REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE THIS FILING ON GRANTEE’S BEHALF.


 


7.              No
Employment Contract Created. The issuance of the Restricted Stock is not to be construed as granting to Grantee any right
with respect to continuance of employment or any service with the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The right of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries to terminate at will Grantee’s employment or terminate Grantee’s service at any time (whether
by dismissal, discharge or otherwise), with or without cause, is specifically reserved, subject to any other written employment
or other agreement to which the Company and Grantee may be a party.


 


8.             Tax
Withholding. The Company has the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require Grantee to remit to the Company,
an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state and local taxes (including the Grantee’s FICA obligation) required by law
to be withheld with respect to the grant and vesting of the Restricted Stock.


 


9.              Interpretation.
The Restricted Stock are being issued pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and are to be interpreted in accordance therewith. The
Board (or an authorized committee thereof) will interpret and construe this Agreement and the Plan, and any action, decision,
interpretation or determination made in good faith by the Board (or an authorized committee thereof) will be final and binding
on the Company and Grantee.


 


10.            Notices.
All notices or other communications which are required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and sufficient if (i) personally
delivered or sent by telecopy, (ii) sent by nationally-recognized overnight courier or (iii) sent by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:


 


(a)            if
to the Grantee, to the address (or telecopy number) set forth on the Notice of Grant; and


 


(b)            if
to the Company, to its principal executive office as specified in any report filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or to such address as the Company may have specified to the Grantee in writing, Attention: Corporate Secretary;


 


or
to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance
herewith. Any such communication will be deemed to have been given (i) when delivered, if personally delivered, or when telecopied,
if telecopied, (ii) on the first Business Day (as hereinafter defined) after dispatch, if sent by nationally-recognized overnight
courier and (iii) on the fifth Business Day following the date on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted,
if sent by mail. As used herein, “Business Day” means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day
on which banking institutions in the city to which the notice or communication is to be sent are not required to be open.


 


11.            Specific
Performance. Grantee expressly agrees that the Company will be irreparably damaged if the provisions of this Agreement
and the Plan are not specifically enforced. Upon a breach or threatened breach of the terms, covenants and/or conditions of this
Agreement or the Plan by Grantee, the Company will, in addition to all other remedies, be entitled to a temporary or permanent
injunction, without showing any actual damage, and/or decree for specific performance, in accordance with the provisions hereof
and thereof. The Board (or an authorized committee thereof) has the power to determine what constitutes a breach or threatened
breach of this Agreement or the Plan. Any such determinations will be final and conclusive and binding upon Grantee.


 






    
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12.            No
Waiver. No waiver of any breach or condition of this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent
breach or condition, whether of like or different nature.


 


13.           Grantee
Undertaking. Grantee hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company
may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions
imposed on Grantee pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement.


 


14.            Modification
of Rights. The rights of Grantee are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement
and the Plan.


 


15.            Governing
Law. This Agreement is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Nevada, without giving
effect to its conflict or choice of law principles that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement
to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.


 


16.           Counterparts;
Facsimile Execution. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an
original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile execution and delivery of this
Agreement is legal, valid and binding execution and delivery for all purposes.


 


17.           Entire
Agreement. This Agreement (including the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant) and the Plan, constitute the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all previously written or oral negotiations, commitments,
representations and agreements with respect thereto.


 


18.           Severability.
In the event one or more of the provisions of this Agreement should, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and this
Agreement will be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.


 


19.           WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL. THE GRANTEE HEREBY EXPRESSLY, IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION
OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.


 


[Signature
Page Follows]


 




    
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Restricted Share Grant Agreement as of the date first written above.


 


VERTEX
ENERGY, INC.


  


By:________________________________________


Name:___________________________________


Title:____________________________________


  


GRANTEE:


  


__________________________________________


Name:


 




    
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SPOUSE’S
CONSENT TO AGREEMENT


(Required
where Grantee resides in a community property state)


 


I
acknowledge that I have read the Agreement and the Plan and that I know and understand the contents of both. I am aware that my
spouse has agreed therein to the imposition of certain forfeiture provisions and restrictions on transferability with respect
to the Restricted Stock that are the subject of the Agreement, including with respect to my community interest therein, if any,
on the occurrence of certain events described in the Agreement. I hereby consent to and approve of the provisions of the Agreement,
and agree that I will abide by the Agreement and bequeath any interest in the Restricted Stock which represents a community interest
of mine to my spouse or to a trust subject to my spouse’s control or for my spouse’s benefit or the benefit of our children if
I predecease my spouse.


  


Dated:
____________________________________


  


____________________________________


Signature




____________________________________


Print
Name


 




    
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Exhibit
A 


ELECTION
UNDER SECTION 83(b)


OF
THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986


 


The
undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to include in
the taxpayer’s gross income or alternative minimum taxable income, as the case may be, for the current taxable year, as
compensation for services the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the shares described below over the amount paid
for those shares:


 


1.       The
name, address, taxpayer identification number and taxable year of the undersigned are as follows:


 


	Taxpayer:	 	 
	Spouse:	 	 
	Name:	 	 
	Address:	 	 
	Identification No.:	 	 
	Taxable Year:	 	 


 


2.       The
property with respect to which the election is made is described as follows: __________ shares (the “Shares”)
of the Common Stock of Vertex Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”).


 


3.       The
date on which the property was transferred is:___________________ ,______.


 


4.       The
property is subject to the following restrictions:


 


The
Shares may not be transferred and are subject to forfeiture under the terms of an agreement between the taxpayer and the Company.
These restrictions lapse upon the satisfaction of certain conditions contained in such agreement.


 


5.       The
fair market value of the property at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a nonlapse
restriction as defined in § 1.83-3(h) of the Income Tax Regulations) is: $_______ per share x ________ shares =
$___________.


 


6.       For
the property transferred, the undersigned paid $______ per share x _________ shares = $______________.


 


7.       The
amount to include in gross income is $______________. [The result of the amount reported in Item 5 minus the amount reported
in Item 6.]


 


The
undersigned taxpayer will file this election with the Internal Revenue Service office with which taxpayer files his or her annual
income tax return not later than 30 days after the date of transfer of the property. A copy of the election also will be furnished
to the person for whom the services were performed. Additionally, the undersigned will include a copy of the election with his
or her income tax return for the taxable year in which the property is transferred. The undersigned is the person performing the
services in connection with which the property was transferred.


 


The
undersigned understands that the foregoing election may not be revoked except with the consent of the Commissioner.


 


Dated:
______________________, _____


Taxpayer


The
undersigned spouse of taxpayer joins in this election.


 


Dated:
______________________, _____


_________________________


Spouse
of Taxpayer




 






    
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