<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

                         CYPRESS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                     2000 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN


SECTION 1.  GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS
            ----------------------------------------

     The name of the plan is the Cypress Communications, Inc. 2000 Stock Option
and Incentive Plan (the "Plan").  The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and
enable the officers, employees, Independent Directors and other key persons
(including consultants) of Cypress Communications, Inc. (the "Company") and its
Subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely
depends for the successful conduct of its business to acquire a proprietary
interest in the Company.  It is anticipated that providing such persons with a
direct stake in the Company's welfare will assure a closer identification of
their interests with those of the Company, thereby stimulating their efforts on
the Company's behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.

     The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

     "Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder.

     "Administrator" is defined in Section 2(a).

     "Award" or "Awards," except where referring to a particular category of
grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock
Options, Deferred Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock
Awards and Performance Share Awards.

     "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

     "Change of Control" is defined in Section 15.

     "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.

     "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

     "Covered Employee" means an employee who is a "Covered Employee" within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

     "Deferred Stock Award" means Awards granted pursuant to Section 7.
<PAGE>

     "Effective Date" means the date on which the Plan is approved by
stockholders as set forth in Section 17.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations thereunder.

     "Fair Market Value" of the Stock on any given date means the fair market
value of the Stock determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided,
however, that if the Stock is admitted to quotation on the National Association
of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ"), NASDAQ National
System or a national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by
reference to market quotations.  If there are no market quotations for such
date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding
such date for which there are market quotations; provided further, however, that
if the date for which Fair Market Value is determined is the first day when
trading prices for the Stock are reported on NASDAQ or on a national securities
exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the "Price to the Public" (or
equivalent) set forth on the cover page for the final prospectus relating to the
Company's Initial Public Offering.

     "Incentive Stock Option" means any Stock Option designated and qualified as
an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

     "Independent Director" means a member of the Board who is not also an
employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

     "Initial Public Offering" means the consummation of the first fully
underwritten, firm commitment public offering pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Act, other than on Forms S-4 or S-8 or their
then equivalents, covering the offer and sale by the Company of its equity
securities, or such other event as a result of or following which the Stock
shall be publicly held.

     "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is not an
Incentive Stock Option.

     "Option" or "Stock Option" means any option to purchase shares of Stock
granted pursuant to Section 5.

     "Performance Share Award" means Awards granted pursuant to Section 9.

     "Performance Cycle" means one or more periods of time, which may be of
varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which
the attainment of one or more performance criteria will be measured for the
purpose of determining a grantee's right to and the payment of a Performance
Share Award, Restricted Stock Award or Deferred Stock Award.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     "Restricted Stock Award" means Awards granted pursuant to Section 6.

     "Stock" means the Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company,
subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.

     "Subsidiary" means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company)
in any unbroken chain of corporations or other entities beginning with the
Company if each of the corporations or entities (other than the last corporation
or entity in the unbroken chain) owns stock or other interests possessing 50
percent or more of the economic interest or the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock or other interests in one of the other corporations or
entities in the chain.

     "Unrestricted Stock Award" means any Award granted pursuant to Section 8.

SECTION 2.   ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT
             ---------------------------------------------------------
             GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS
             -----------------------------

     (a)  Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by either the Board or the
          ---------
Committee (in either case, the "Administrator").

     (b)  Powers of Administrator.  The Administrator shall have the power and
          -----------------------
authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the
power and authority:

          (i)   to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time
     be granted;

          (ii)  to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any,
     of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock
     Awards, Deferred Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards and Performance
     Share Awards, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or
     more grantees;

          (iii) to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by any
     Award;

          (iv)  to determine and modify from time to time the terms and
     conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the
     Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual
     Awards and grantees, and to approve the form of written instruments
     evidencing the Awards;

          (v)   to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all
     or any portion of any Award;

          (vi)  subject to the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii), to extend at any
     time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised;

                                       3
<PAGE>

          (vii)  to determine at any time whether, to what extent, and under
     what circumstances distribution or the receipt of Stock and other amounts
     payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or
     at the election of the grantee and whether and to what extent the Company
     shall pay or credit amounts constituting interest (at rates determined by
     the Administrator) or dividends or deemed dividends on such deferrals; and

          (viii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines
     and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and
     proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and
     provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written
     instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the
     administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection
     with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

     All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be binding on
all persons, including the Company and Plan grantees.

     (c)  Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards.  The Administrator, in its
          ---------------------------------------
discretion, may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company all or
part of the Administrator's authority and duties with respect to the granting of
Awards at Fair Market Value, to individuals who are not subject to the reporting
and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or "covered employees"
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.  The Chief Executive Officer
shall be deemed a one-person committee of the Board.  Any such delegation by the
Administrator shall include a limitation as to the amount of Awards that may be
granted during the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to
the determination of the exercise price of any Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right, the conversion ratio or price of other Awards and the
vesting criteria.  The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a
delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of
the Administrator's delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of
the Plan.

     (d)  Indemnification.  Neither the Board nor the Committee, nor any member
          ---------------
of either or any delegatee thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission,
interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection
with the Plan, and the members of the Board and the Committee (and any delegatee
thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by
the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the
fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors' and officers'
liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time.

SECTION 3.   STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION
             ----------------------------------------------------

     (a)  Stock Issuable.  The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and
          --------------
available for issuance under the Plan shall be 5,439,804 shares, subject to
adjustment as provided in this

                                       4
<PAGE>

Section 3(a) and Section 3(b). For purposes of this limitation, the shares of
Stock underlying any Awards under this Plan which are forfeited, canceled,
reacquired by the Company, satisfied without the issuance of Stock or otherwise
terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock
available for issuance under the Plan. In addition, the shares of Stock
underlying any awards under the Company's 1997 Management Option Plan which are
forfeited, canceled, reacquired by the Company, satisfied without the issuance
of Stock or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added to the
shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan, thereby increasing the
maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the
Plan set forth above. Subject to such overall limitation, shares of Stock may be
issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award;
provided, however, that from and after the date grants under this Plan become
subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, Stock Options with respect to no more
than 1,500,000 shares of Stock may be granted to any one individual grantee
during any one calendar year period. The shares available for issuance under the
Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock
reacquired by the Company and held in its treasury.

     (b) Changes in Stock.  Subject to Section 3(c) hereof, if, as a result of
         ----------------
any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock
split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Company's capital
stock, the outstanding shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are
exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the
Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of
the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares
of Stock or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or
consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for a different
number or kind of securities of the Company or any successor entity (or a parent
or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator shall make an appropriate or
proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for
issuance under the Plan, (ii) the number of Stock Options that can be granted to
any one individual grantee and the maximum number of shares that may be granted
under a Performance-based Award, (iii) the number and kind of shares or other
securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, (iv) the
repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award,
and (v) the price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options
under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the
exercise price multiplied by the number of Stock Options) as to which such Stock
Options remain exercisable.  The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final,
binding and conclusive.  No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the
Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion
may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.

     The Administrator may also adjust the number of shares subject to
outstanding Awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding Awards to
take into consideration material changes in accounting practices or principles,
extraordinary dividends, acquisitions or dispositions of stock or property or
any other event if it is determined by the Administrator that such adjustment is
appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan, provided that no
such adjustment shall be made in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, without
the

                                       5
<PAGE>

consent of the grantee, if it would constitute a modification, extension or
renewal of the Option within the meaning of Section 424(h) of the Code.

     (c) Mergers and Other Transactions.  In the case of and subject to the
         ------------------------------
consummation of (i) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) the sale
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis
to an unrelated person or entity, (iii) a merger, reorganization or
consolidation in which the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or
exchanged for a different kind of securities of the successor entity and the
holders of the Company's outstanding voting power immediately prior to such
transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power of the
successor entity immediately upon completion of such transaction, or (iv) the
sale of all of the Stock of the Company to an unrelated person or entity (in
each case, a "Sale Event"), all Options that are not exercisable immediately
prior to the effective time of the Sale Event shall become fully exercisable as
of the effective time of the Sale Event and all other Awards with conditions and
restrictions relating solely to the passage of time and continued employment
shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective time of the
Sale Event, except as the Administrator may otherwise specify with respect to
particular Awards.  Upon the effective time of the Sale Event, the Plan and all
outstanding Awards granted hereunder shall terminate, unless provision is made
in connection with the Sale Event in the sole discretion of the parties thereto
for the assumption or continuation of Awards theretofore granted by the
successor entity, or the substitution of such Awards with new Awards of the
successor entity or parent thereof, with appropriate adjustment as to the number
and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such
parties shall agree (after taking into account any acceleration hereunder).  In
the event of such termination, each grantee shall be permitted, within a
specified period of time prior to the consummation of the Sale Event as
determined by the Administrator, to exercise all outstanding Options held by
such grantee, including those that will become exercisable upon the consummation
of the Sale Event; provided, however, that the exercise of Options not
exercisable prior to the Sale Event shall be subject to the consummation of the
Sale Event.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.2(c), in the
event of a Sale Event pursuant to which holders of the Stock of the Company will
receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in
the Sale Event, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to
make or provide for a cash payment to the grantees holding Options, in exchange
for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the difference between (A)
the value as determined by the Administrator of the consideration payable per
share of Stock pursuant to the Sale Event (the "Sale Price") times the number of
shares of Stock subject to outstanding Options (to the extent then exercisable
at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) and (B) the aggregate exercise price
of all such outstanding Options.

     (d) Substitute Awards.  The Administrator may grant Awards under the Plan
         -----------------
in substitution for stock and stock based awards held by employees, directors or
other key persons of another corporation in connection with the merger or
consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or

                                       6
<PAGE>

a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of property or
stock of the employing corporation. The Administrator may direct that the
substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Administrator
considers appropriate in the circumstances. Any substitute Awards granted under
the Plan shall not count against the share limitation set forth in Section 3(a).

SECTION 4.  ELIGIBILITY
            -----------

     Grantees under the Plan will be such full or part-time officers and other
employees, Independent Directors and key persons (including consultants and
prospective employees) of the Company and its Subsidiaries as are selected from
time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

SECTION 5.  STOCK OPTIONS
            -------------

     Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the
Administrator may from time to time approve.

     Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options
or Non-Qualified Stock Options.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a "subsidiary corporation"
within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.  To the extent that any Option
does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-
Qualified Stock Option.

     No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted under the Plan after December
20, 2010.

     (a)  Stock Options.  The Administrator in its discretion may grant Stock
          -------------
Options to eligible employees, Independent Directors and key persons of the
Company or any Subsidiary. Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5(a)
shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such
additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as
the Administrator shall deem desirable.  If the Administrator so determines,
Stock Options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionee's
election, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may
establish.

          (i)  Exercise Price.  The exercise price per share for the Stock
               --------------
     covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be
     determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less
     than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant in the case
     of Incentive Stock Options, or 85 percent of the Fair Market Value on the
     date of grant, in the case of Non-Qualified Stock Options (other than
     options granted in lieu of cash compensation).  If an employee owns or is
     deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the
     Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of
     stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation and an
     Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the option price of
     such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair
     Market Value on the grant date.

                                       7
<PAGE>

          (ii)   Option Term.  The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by
                 -----------
     the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than 10
     years after the date the Stock Option is granted. If an employee owns or is
     deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the
     Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of
     stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation and an
     Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the term of such Stock
     Option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant.

          (iii)  Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder.  Stock Options shall
                 ---------------------------------------
     become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments,
     as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date.
     The Administrator may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or
     any portion of any Stock Option.  An optionee shall have the rights of a
     stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option
     and not as to unexercised Stock Options.

          (iv)   Method of Exercise.  Stock Options may be exercised in whole or
                 ------------------
     in part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company, specifying
     the number of shares to be purchased.  Payment of the purchase price may be
     made by one or more of the following methods to the extent provided in the
     Option Award agreement:

                 (A) In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument
          acceptable to the Administrator;

                 (B) Through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of
          shares of Stock that have been purchased by the optionee on the open
          market or that have been beneficially owned by the optionee for at
          least six months and are not then subject to restrictions under any
          Company plan.  Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market
          Value on the exercise date;

                 (C) By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly
          executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a
          broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and
          acceptable to the Company for the purchase price; provided that in the
          event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided,
          the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and
          enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the
          Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment
          procedure; or

                 (D) By the optionee delivering to the Company a promissory note
          if the Board has expressly authorized the loan of funds to the
          optionee for the purpose of enabling or assisting the optionee to
          effect the exercise of his Stock Option; provided that at least so
          much of the exercise price as represents the par value of the Stock
          shall be paid other than with a promissory note if otherwise required
          by state law.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.  The delivery
     of certificates representing the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant
     to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the
     optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the
     provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price
     for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in
     the Option Award agreement or applicable provisions of laws.  In the event
     an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of
     Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock
     transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be
     net of the number of shares attested to.

          (v)  Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options.  To the extent required
               ---------------------------------------
     for "incentive stock option" treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the
     aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the
     shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under
     this Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary
     corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during
     any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000.  To the extent that any Stock
     Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock
     Option.

     (b)  Reload Options.  At the discretion of the Administrator, Options
          --------------
granted under the Plan may include a "reload" feature pursuant to which an
optionee exercising an option by the delivery of a number of shares of Stock in
accordance with Section 5(a)(iv)(B) hereof would automatically be granted an
additional Option (with an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value of the
Stock on the date the additional Option is granted and with such other terms as
the Administrator may provide) to purchase that number of shares of Stock equal
to the sum of (i) the number delivered to exercise the original Option and (ii)
the number withheld to satisfy tax liabilities, with an Option term equal to the
remainder of the original Option term unless the Administrator otherwise
determines in the Award agreement for the original Option grant.

     (c)  Non-transferability of Options.  No Stock Option shall be transferable
          ------------------------------
by the optionee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee's
lifetime, only by the optionee, or by the optionee's legal representative or
guardian in the event of the optionee's incapacity.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide in the Award
agreement regarding a given Option that the optionee may transfer his Non-
Qualified Stock Options to members of his immediate family, to trusts for the
benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members
are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the
Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and the
applicable Option.

                                       9
<PAGE>

SECTION 6.  RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
            -----------------------

     (a)  Nature of Restricted Stock Awards.  A Restricted Stock Award is an
          ---------------------------------
Award entitling the recipient to acquire, at such purchase price as determined
by the Administrator, shares of Stock subject to such restrictions and
conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant ("Restricted
Stock").  Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service
relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and
objectives.  The grant of a Restricted Stock Award is contingent on the grantee
executing the Restricted Stock Award agreement.  The terms and conditions of
each such agreement shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and
conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.

     (b)  Rights as a Stockholder.  Upon execution of a written instrument
          -----------------------
setting forth the Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase
price, a grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the
voting of the Restricted Stock, subject to such conditions contained in the
written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award.  Unless the
Administrator shall otherwise determine, certificates evidencing the Restricted
Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Stock
is vested as provided in Section 6(d) below, and the grantee shall be required,
as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company a stock power endorsed in
blank.

     (c)  Restrictions.  Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned,
          ------------
transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as
specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Stock Award agreement. If a
grantee's employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its
Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, the Company shall have the right to
repurchase Restricted Stock that has not vested at the time of termination at
its original purchase price, from the grantee or the grantee's legal
representative.

     (d)  Vesting of Restricted Stock.  The Administrator at the time of grant
          ---------------------------
shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established
performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-
transferability of the Restricted Stock and the Company's right of repurchase or
forfeiture shall lapse.  Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment
of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the
shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be Restricted Stock
and shall be deemed "vested." Except as may otherwise be provided by the
Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 13 below, in
writing after the Award agreement is issued, a grantee's rights in any shares of
Restricted Stock that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the
grantee's termination of employment (or other service relationship) with the
Company and its Subsidiaries and such shares shall be subject to the Company's
right of repurchase as provided in Section 6(c) above.

     (e)  Waiver, Deferral and Reinvestment of Dividends.  The Restricted Stock
          ----------------------------------------------
Award agreement may require or permit the immediate payment, waiver, deferral or
investment of dividends paid on the Restricted Stock.

                                       10
<PAGE>

SECTION 7.  DEFERRED STOCK AWARDS
            ---------------------

     (a)  Nature of Deferred Stock Awards.   A Deferred Stock Award is an Award
          -------------------------------
of phantom stock units to a grantee, subject to restrictions and conditions as
the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.  Conditions may be based
on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of
pre-established performance goals and objectives. The grant of a Deferred Stock
Award is contingent on the grantee executing the Deferred Stock Award agreement.
The terms and conditions of each such agreement shall be determined by the
Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards
and grantees. At the end of the deferral period, the Deferred Stock Award, to
the extent vested, shall be paid to the grantee in the form of shares of Stock.

     (b)  Election to Receive Deferred Stock Awards in Lieu of Compensation.
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to
receive a portion of the cash compensation or Restricted Stock Award otherwise
due to such grantee in the form of a Deferred Stock Award. Any such election
shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the
date specified by the Administrator and in accordance with rules and procedures
established by the Administrator. The Administrator shall have the sole right to
determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to
impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the
Administrator deems appropriate.

     (c)  Rights as a Stockholder.  During the deferral period, a grantee shall
          -----------------------
have no rights as a stockholder; provided, however, that the grantee may be
credited with Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the phantom stock units
underlying his Deferred Stock Award, subject to such terms and conditions as the
Administrator may determine.

     (d)  Restrictions.  A Deferred Stock Award may not be sold, assigned,
          ------------
transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the deferral
period.

     (e)  Termination.  Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator
          -----------
either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 13 below, in writing after
the Award agreement is issued, a grantee's right in all Deferred Stock Awards
that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee's
termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the
Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.

SECTION 8.  UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
            -------------------------

     Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock.  The Administrator may, in its sole
     -----------------------------------
discretion, grant (or sell at par value or such higher purchase price determined
by the Administrator) an Unrestricted Stock Award to any grantee pursuant to
which such grantee may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions
("Unrestricted Stock") under the Plan.  Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted
in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of cash
compensation due to such grantee.

                                       11
<PAGE>

SECTION 9.  PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS
            ------------------------

     (a)  Nature of Performance Share Awards.  A Performance Share Award is an
          ----------------------------------
Award entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of
specified performance goals.  The Administrator may make Performance Share
Awards independent of or in connection with the granting of any other Award
under the Plan.  The Administrator in its sole discretion shall determine
whether and to whom Performance Share Awards shall be made, the performance
goals, the periods during which performance is to be measured, and all other
limitations and conditions.

     (b)  Rights as a Stockholder.  A grantee receiving a Performance Share
          -----------------------
Award shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares actually received
by the grantee under the Plan and not with respect to shares subject to the
Award but not actually received by the grantee. A grantee shall be entitled to
receive a stock certificate evidencing the acquisition of shares of Stock under
a Performance Share Award only upon satisfaction of all conditions specified in
the Performance Share Award agreement (or in a performance plan adopted by the
Administrator).

     (c)  Termination.  Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator
          -----------
either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 13 below, in writing after
the Award agreement is issued, a grantee's rights in all Performance Share
Awards shall automatically terminate upon the grantee's termination of
employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its
Subsidiaries for any reason.

     (d)  Acceleration, Waiver, Etc.  At any time prior to the grantee's
          -------------------------
termination of employment (or other service relationship) by the Company and its
Subsidiaries, the Administrator may in its sole discretion accelerate, waive or,
subject to Section 13, amend any or all of the goals, restrictions or conditions
applicable to a Performance Share Award.

SECTION 10. PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS TO COVERED EMPLOYEES
            ---------------------------------------------

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if any
Restricted Stock Award, Deferred Stock Award or Performance Share Award granted
to a Covered Employee is intended to qualify as "Performance-based Compensation"
under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder (a
"Performance-based Award"), such Award shall comply with the provisions set
forth below:

     (a)  Performance Criteria.  The performance criteria used in performance
          --------------------
goals governing Performance-based Awards granted to Covered Employees may
include any or all of the following:  (i) the Company's return on equity,
assets, capital or investment, (ii) pre-tax or after-tax profit levels of the
Company or any Subsidiary, a division, an operating unit or a business segment
of the Company, or any combination of the foregoing; (iii) cash flow, funds from
operations or similar measure; (iv) total shareholder return; (v) changes in the
market price of the Stock; (vi) sales or market share; or (vii) earnings per
share.

                                       12
<PAGE>

     (b)  Grant of Performance-based Awards.  With respect to each Performance-
          ---------------------------------
based Award granted to a Covered Employee, the Committee shall select, within
the first 90 days of a Performance Cycle (or, if shorter, within the maximum
period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) the performance criteria for
such grant, and the achievement targets with respect to each performance
criterion (including a threshold level of performance below which no amount will
become payable with respect to such Award).  Each Performance-based Award will
specify the amount payable, or the formula for determining the amount payable,
upon achievement of the various applicable performance targets.  The performance
criteria established by the Committee may be (but need not be) different for
each Performance Cycle and different goals may be applicable to Performance-
based Awards to different Covered Employees.

     (c)  Payment of Performance-based Awards.  Following the completion of a
          -----------------------------------
Performance Cycle, the Committee shall meet to review and certify in writing
whether, and to what extent, the performance criteria for the Performance Cycle
have been achieved and, if so, to also calculate and certify in writing the
amount of the Performance-based Awards earned for the Performance Cycle.  The
Committee shall then determine the actual size of each Covered Employee's
Performance-based Award, and, in doing so, may reduce or eliminate the amount of
the Performance-based Award for a Covered Employee if, in its sole judgment,
such reduction or elimination is appropriate.

     (d)  Maximum Award Payable.  The maximum Performance-based Award payable to
          ---------------------
any one Covered Employee under the Plan for a Performance Cycle is 200,000
Shares (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b) hereof).

SECTION 11. TAX WITHHOLDING
            ---------------

     (a)  Payment by Grantee.  Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of
          ------------------
which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder
first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for Federal income
tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the
Administrator regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any
kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such income.  The Company
and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to
deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee.
The Company's obligation to deliver stock certificates to any grantee is subject
to and conditioned on tax obligations being satisfied by the grantee.

     (b)  Payment in Stock.  Subject to approval by the Administrator, a grantee
          ----------------
may elect to have the minimum required tax withholding obligation satisfied, in
whole or in part, by (i) authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of
Stock to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate
Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would
satisfy the withholding amount due, or (ii) transferring to the Company shares
of Stock owned by the grantee with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the
date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due.

                                       13
<PAGE>

SECTION 12.  TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.
             -------------------------------

     For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a
termination of employment:

     (a)  a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from
the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another; or

     (b)  an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for
any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee's right to re-
employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy
pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator
otherwise so provides in writing.

SECTION 13.  AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
             --------------------------

     The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the
Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the
purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no
such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without
the holder's consent.  If and to the extent determined by the Administrator to
be required by the Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the
Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code or to ensure that compensation
earned under Awards qualifies as performance-based compensation under Section
162(m) of the Code, if and to the extent intended to so qualify, Plan amendments
shall be subject to approval by the Company stockholders entitled to vote at a
meeting of stockholders.  Nothing in this Section 13 shall limit the
Administrator's authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(c).

SECTION 14.  STATUS OF PLAN
             --------------

     With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and
any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a grantee, a
grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the
Company unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine in
connection with any Award or Awards.  In its sole discretion, the Administrator
may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company's
obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder,
provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent
with the foregoing sentence.

SECTION 15.  CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS
             ----------------------------

     Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control as defined in this Section 15:

     (a)  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, each
outstanding Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall automatically become
fully exercisable.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     (b)  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement,
conditions and restrictions on each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, Deferred
Stock Award and Performance Share Award which relate solely to the passage of
time and continued employment will be removed.  Performance or other conditions
(other than conditions and restrictions relating solely to the passage of time
and continued employment) will continue to apply unless otherwise provided in
the applicable Award agreement.

     (c)  "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
following events:

          (i)   any "Person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
     of the Act (other than the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any
     trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any
     employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries),
     together with all "affiliates" and "associates" (as such terms are defined
     in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of such person, shall become the "beneficial
     owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or
     indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25 percent or more of
     the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities
     having the right to vote in an election of the Company's Board of Directors
     ("Voting Securities") (in such case other than as a result of an
     acquisition of securities directly from the Company); or

          (ii)  persons who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Company's
     Board of Directors (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason,
     including, without limitation, as a result of a tender offer, proxy
     contest, merger or similar transaction, to constitute at least a majority
     of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director of the Company
     subsequent to the Effective Date shall be considered an Incumbent Director
     if such person's election was approved by or such person was nominated for
     election by either (A) a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent
     Directors or (B) a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors
     who are members of a nominating committee comprised, in the majority, of
     Incumbent Directors; but provided further, that any such person whose
     initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
     election contest relating to the election of members of the Board of
     Directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents
     by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board, including by reason of
     agreement intended to avoid or settle any such actual or threatened contest
     or solicitation, shall not be considered an Incumbent Director; or

          (iii) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
     consolidation, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all
     or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a "Corporate
     Transaction") or if consummation of such Corporate Transaction is subject,
     at the time of such approval by stockholders, to the consent of any
     government or governmental agency, obtaining of such consent (either
     explicitly or implicitly by consummation); excluding , however, a Corporate

                                       15
<PAGE>

     Transaction in which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to
     the Corporate Transaction, would, immediately after the Corporate
     Transaction, beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under
     the Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing in the aggregate more
     than 50 percent of the voting shares of the corporation issuing cash or
     securities in the Corporate Transaction (or of its ultimate parent
     corporation, if any); or

          (iv)  the approval by the stockholders of any plan or proposal for the
     liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, a "Change of Control" shall not be deemed to
have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i) solely as the result of
an acquisition of securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of
shares of Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportionate number of
shares of Voting Securities beneficially owned by any person to 25 percent or
more of the combined voting power of all then outstanding Voting Securities;
provided, however, that if any person referred to in this sentence shall
--------  -------
thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting
Securities (other than pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, or similar
transaction or as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the
Company) and immediately thereafter beneficially owns 25 percent or more of the
combined voting power of all then outstanding Voting Securities, then a "Change
of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing
clause (i).

SECTION 16.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
             ------------------

     (a)  No Distribution; Compliance with Legal Requirements.  The
          ---------------------------------------------------
Administrator may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to
represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring
the shares without a view to distribution thereof.

     No shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all
applicable securities law and other legal and stock exchange or similar
requirements have been satisfied.  The Administrator may require the placing of
such stop-orders and restrictive legends on certificates for Stock and Awards as
it deems appropriate.

     (b)  Delivery of Stock Certificates.  Stock certificates to grantees under
          ------------------------------
this Plan shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a stock
transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United
States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee's last known address on
file with the Company.

     (c)  Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights.  Nothing
          -----------------------------------------------------
contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional
compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either
generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.  The adoption of this
Plan and the grant of Awards do not

                                       16
<PAGE>

confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or
any Subsidiary.

     (d)  Trading Policy Restrictions.  Option exercises and other Awards under
          ---------------------------
the Plan shall be subject to such Company's insider trading policy, as in effect
from time to time.

     (e)  Loans to Grantees.  The Company shall have the authority to make loans
          -----------------
to grantees of Awards hereunder (including to facilitate the purchase of shares)
and shall further have the authority to issue shares for promissory notes
hereunder.

     (f)  Designation of Beneficiary.  Each grantee to whom an Award has been
          --------------------------
made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any
Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantee's
death.  Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the
Administrator and shall not be effective until received by the Administrator.
If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the
designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be
the grantee's estate.

SECTION 17.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
             ----------------------

     This Plan shall become effective upon approval by the holders of a majority
of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present or
by written consent of stockholders.  Subject to such approval by the
stockholders and to the requirement that no Stock may be issued hereunder prior
to such approval, Stock Options and other Awards may be granted hereunder on and
after adoption of this Plan by the Board.

SECTION 18.  GOVERNING LAW
             -------------

     This Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, applied
without regard to conflict of law principles.


DATE APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  December 21, 1999

DATE APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: December 23, 1999

                                       17