exhibit10_1.htm


 









Exhibit 10.1



McMoRan EXPLORATION CO.


AMENDED AND RESTATED


2008 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN


 


SECTION 1


 


Purpose.  The purpose of the Amended and Restated McMoRan Exploration Co. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to increase stockholder value and advance the interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries by furnishing a variety of equity incentives designed to (i) attract, retain, and motivate key employees, officers, and directors of the Company and consultants and advisers to the Company and (ii) strengthen the mutuality of interests among such persons and the Company’s stockholders.


 


SECTION 2


 


Definitions.  As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:


 


“Award” shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, or Other Stock-Based Award.


 


“Award Agreement” shall mean any written or electronic notice of grant, agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing any Award, which the Company may, but need not, require a Participant to execute, acknowledge, or accept.


 


“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.


 


“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.


 


“Committee” refers to the Corporate Personnel Committee of the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, or both of these committees, as the context indicates.


 


“Common Stock” shall mean the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share.


 


“Company” shall mean McMoRan Exploration Co.


 


“Designated Beneficiary” shall mean the beneficiary designated by the Participant, in a manner determined by the Committee, to receive the benefits due the Participant under the Plan in the event of the Participant’s death.  In the absence of an effective designation by the Participant, Designated Beneficiary shall mean the Participant’s estate.


 


“Eligible Individual” shall mean (i) any person providing services as an officer of the Company or a Subsidiary, whether or not employed by such entity, including any such person who is also a director of the Company; (ii) any employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, including any director who is also an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary; (iii) Outside Directors; (iv) any officer or employee of an entity with which the Company has contracted to receive executive, management, or legal services who provides services to the Company or a 


 




  





  











  






Subsidiary through such arrangement; (v) any consultant or adviser to the Company, a Subsidiary, or to an entity described in clause (iv) hereof who provides services to the Company or a Subsidiary through such arrangement; and (vi) any person who has agreed in writing to become a person described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) within not more than 30 days following the date of grant of such person’s first Award under the Plan.


 


“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.


 


“Immediate Family Members” shall mean the spouse and natural or adopted children or grandchildren of the Participant and his or her spouse.


 


“Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6 of the Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.


 


“Nonqualified Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6 of the Plan that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.


 


“Option” shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.


 


“Other Stock-Based Award” shall mean any right or award granted under Section 10 of the Plan.


 


“Outside Directors” shall mean members of the Board who are not employees of the Company, and shall include non-voting advisory directors to the Board.


 


“Participant” shall mean any Eligible Individual granted an Award under the Plan.


 


“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or political subdivision thereof, or other entity.


 


“Restricted Stock” shall mean any restricted stock granted under Section 8 of the Plan.


 


“Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean any restricted stock unit granted under Section 9 of the Plan.


 


“Section 162(m)” shall mean Section 162(m) of the Code and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder as in effect from time to time.


 


“Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder as in effect from time to time.


 


“Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock and such other securities of the Company or a Subsidiary as the Committee may from time to time designate.


 


“Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean any right granted under Section 7 of the Plan.


 



 



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“Subsidiary” shall mean (i) any corporation or other entity in which the Company possesses directly or indirectly equity interests representing at least 50% of the total ordinary voting power or at least 50% of the total value of all classes of equity interests of such corporation or other entity and (ii) any other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect economic interest that is designated as a Subsidiary by the Committee.


 


SECTION 3



  




(a) Administration.  The Plan shall generally be administered by the Corporate Personnel Committee.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board shall administer the Plan with respect to grants to Outside Directors.  Members of the Corporate Personnel Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall qualify as “non-employee directors” under Rule 16b-3 under the 1934 Act.


 


(b) Authority.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (with respect to Outside Directors) and the Corporate Personnel Committee (with respect to all other Eligible Individuals) shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to an Eligible Individual; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, whole Shares, other whole securities, other Awards, other property, or other cash amounts payable by the Company upon the exercise of that or other Awards, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property, and other amounts payable by the Company with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee; (vii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (ix) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.


 


(c) Effect of Committee’s Determinations.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the applicable Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Subsidiary, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, any stockholder of the Company, and any Eligible Individual.


 


(d) Delegation.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority, subject to such terms and limitations as the Committee shall determine, to grant and set the terms of, to cancel, modify, or waive rights with respect to, or to alter, discontinue, suspend, or terminate Awards held by Eligible Individuals who are not officers or directors of the Company for purposes of Section 16 


 




  





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of the Exchange Act, or any successor section thereto, or who are otherwise not subject to such Section; provided, however, that the per share exercise price of any Option granted under this Section 3(d) shall be equal to the fair market value of the underlying Shares on the date of grant.


 


SECTION 4


 


Eligibility.                      The Committee, in accordance with Section 3(a), may grant an Award under the Plan to any Eligible Individual.


 


SECTION 5


 


(a) Shares Available for Awards.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5(b):


 


(i) Calculation of Number of Shares Available.


 


(A) Subject to the other provisions of this Section 5(a), the number of Shares with respect to which Awards payable in Shares may be granted under the Plan shall be 11,500,000.  Awards that by their terms may be settled only in cash shall not be counted against the maximum number of Shares provided herein.


 


(B) The number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options may not exceed 11,500,000.


 


(C) Subject to the other provisions of this Section 5(a):


 


(1) the maximum number of Shares issuable under the Plan as Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Other Stock-Based Awards payable in Shares for which there is a per share purchase price that is less than 100% of the fair market value of the securities to which the Award relates shall be 3,500,000; and


 


(2) up to 575,000 of the Shares referenced in Section 5(a)(i)(C)(1) may be issued pursuant to Awards to employees, consultants, or advisers in the form of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Other Stock-Based Awards payable in Shares without compliance with the minimum vesting periods set forth in Sections 8(b), 9(b), and 10(b), respectively.  If (x) Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or an Other Stock-Based Award is granted with a minimum vesting period of at least three years or a minimum vesting period of at least one year, subject to the attainment of specific performance goals, and (y) the vesting of such Award is accelerated in accordance with Section 12(a) hereof as a result of the Participant’s death, retirement, or other termination of employment or cessation of consulting or advisory services to the Company, or a change in control of the Company, such Shares shall not count against the limitation described in this Section 5(a)(i)(C)(2).


 


(D) To the extent any Shares covered by an Award are not issued because the Award is forfeited or canceled or the Award is settled in cash, such Shares shall again be available for grant pursuant to new Awards under the Plan.


 


(E) In the event that Shares are issued as Restricted Stock or Other Stock-Based Awards under the Plan and thereafter are forfeited or reacquired by the Company 


 




  





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pursuant to rights reserved upon issuance thereof, such Shares shall again be available for grant pursuant to new Awards under the Plan.  With respect to Stock Appreciation Rights, if the Award is payable in Shares, all Shares to which the Award relates are counted against the Plan limits, rather than the net number of Shares delivered upon exercise of the Award.


 


(F) The maximum value of an Other Stock-Based Award that is valued in dollars (whether or not paid in Common Stock) scheduled to be paid out to any one Participant in any calendar year shall be $5 million.


 


(ii) Shares Deliverable Under Awards.  Any Shares delivered pursuant to an Award may consist of authorized and unissued Shares or of treasury Shares, including Shares held by the Company or a Subsidiary and Shares acquired in the open market or otherwise obtained by the Company or a Subsidiary.  The issuance of Shares may be effected on a non-certificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange.


 


(iii) Individual Limits.  The maximum number of Shares that may be covered by Awards granted under the Plan to any Outside Director during a calendar year shall be 50,000 Shares, and the maximum number of Shares that may be covered by Awards granted under the Plan to any other Participant during a calendar year shall be 500,000 Shares.


 


(iv) Use of Shares.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and the overall limitation on the number of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan, the Committee may use available Shares as the form of payment for compensation, grants, or rights earned or due under any other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company or a Subsidiary, including, but not limited to, the Company’s annual incentive plan and the plans or arrangements of the Company or a Subsidiary assumed in business combinations.


 


(b) Adjustments.  In the event that the Committee determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, Subsidiary securities, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award and, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award and, if deemed appropriate, adjust outstanding Awards to provide the rights contemplated by Section 11(b) hereof; provided, in each case, that with respect to Awards of Incentive Stock Options no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such authority would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code or any successor provision thereto and, with respect to all Awards under the Plan, no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such authority would be inconsistent with the requirements for full deductibility under Section 162(m); and 


 




  





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provided further that the number of Shares subject to any Award denominated in Shares shall always be a whole number.


 


(c) Performance Goals for Section 162(m) Awards.  The Committee shall determine at the time of grant if the grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or an Other Stock-Based Award is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” as that term is used in Section 162(m).  Any such grant shall be conditioned on the achievement of one or more performance measures.  The performance measures pursuant to which Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Other Stock-Based Awards shall vest shall be any or a combination of the following:  earnings per share, return on assets, an economic value added measure, shareholder return, earnings, share price, return on equity, return on investment, return on fully-employed capital, reduction of expenses, containment of expenses within budget, reserve recognition, addition to reserves, cash provided by operating activities, increase in cash flow, return on cash flow, cash flow per equivalent barrel or Mcf, finding costs per equivalent barrel or Mcf, or increase in production of the Company, a division of the Company or a Subsidiary.  For any performance period, such performance objectives may be measured on an absolute basis or relative to a group of peer companies selected by the Committee, relative to internal goals or relative to levels attained in prior years.  For grants of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Other Stock-Based Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation,” the grants and the establishment of performance measures shall be made during the period required by Section 162(m).


 


SECTION 6


 


(a) Stock Options.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Eligible Individuals to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each Option, the option price thereof, the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option, and the other terms thereof.  The Committee shall have the authority to grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, or both.  In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be subject to and comply with such rules as may be required by Section 422 of the Code, as from time to time amended, and any implementing regulations.  Except in the case of an Option granted in assumption of or substitution for an outstanding award of a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines, the exercise price of any Option granted under this Plan shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying Shares on the date of grant.


 


(b) Exercise.  Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter, provided, however, that in no event may any Option granted hereunder be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years after the date of such grant.  The Committee may impose such conditions with respect to the exercise of Options, including without limitation, any condition relating to the application of Federal or state securities laws, as it may deem necessary or advisable.  An Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased.  The exercise notice shall be accompanied by the full purchase price for the Shares.


 




  





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(c) Payment.  The Option price shall be payable in United States dollars and may be paid by (i) cash or cash equivalent; (ii) delivery of shares of Common Stock, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the fair market value (valued in accordance with procedures established by the Committee) as of the effective date of such exercise; (iii) delivery of irrevocable written instructions to a broker approved by the Company (with a copy to the Company) to immediately sell a portion of the shares issuable under the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale proceeds to pay the exercise price; (iv) if approved by the Committee, through a net exercise procedure whereby the Participant surrenders the Option in exchange for that number of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate fair market value equal to the difference between the aggregate exercise price of the Options being surrendered and the aggregate fair market value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option; or (v) in such other manner as may be authorized from time to time by the Committee.  Prior to the issuance of Shares upon the exercise of an Option, a Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder.


 


SECTION 7


 


(a) Stock Appreciation Rights.  A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the holder thereof to receive upon exercise, for each Share to which the Stock Appreciation Right relates, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of a Share on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right over the grant price.


 


(b) Terms and Conditions.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Eligible Individuals to whom Stock Appreciation Rights shall be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each Award of Stock Appreciation Rights, the grant price thereof, the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right and the other terms thereof.  Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with another Award, in addition to another Award, or freestanding and unrelated to any other Award.  Stock Appreciation Rights granted in tandem with or in addition to an Option or other Award may be granted either at the same time as the Option or other Award or at a later time.  Stock Appreciation Rights shall not be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years after the date of grant.  Except in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in assumption of or substitution for an outstanding award of a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines, the grant price of any Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Shares covered by such Stock Appreciation Right on the date of grant or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with a then outstanding Option or other Award, on the date of grant of such related Option or Award.


 


(c) Committee Discretion to Determine Form of Payment.  The Committee shall determine at the time of grant of a Stock Appreciation Right whether it shall be settled in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares.


 


SECTION 8


 


(a) Restricted Stock.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Eligible Individuals to whom Restricted Stock shall 


 




  





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be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each Award of Restricted Stock and the terms, conditions, and limitations applicable thereto.  An Award of Restricted Stock may be subject to the attainment of specified performance goals or targets, restrictions on transfer, forfeitability provisions and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan.  An award of Restricted Stock may be made in lieu of the payment of cash compensation otherwise due to an Eligible Individual.  To the extent that Restricted Stock is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m), it must be made subject to the attainment of one or more of the performance goals specified in Section 5(c) hereof and meet the additional requirements imposed by Section 162(m).


 


(b) The Restricted Period.  At the time that an Award of Restricted Stock is made, the Committee shall establish a period of time during which the transfer of the Shares of Restricted Stock shall be restricted (the “Restricted Period”).  Each Award of Restricted Stock may have a different Restricted Period.  Except (i) for Restricted Stock granted to Outside Directors, (ii) for Restricted Stock that vests based on the attainment of performance goals, and (iii) as provided in Section 5(a)(i)(C)(2), a Restricted Period of at least three years is required with incremental vesting of the Award over the three-year period permitted.  If the grant or vesting of the Shares is subject to the attainment of specified performance goals, a Restricted Period of at least one year with incremental vesting is permitted.  The expiration of the Restricted Period shall also occur as provided in the Award Agreement in accordance with Section 12(a) hereof.


 


(c) Escrow.  The Participant receiving Restricted Stock shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company setting forth the conditions of the grant.  Certificates representing Shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the name of the Participant and deposited with the Company, together with a stock power endorsed in blank by the Participant.  Each such certificate shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:


 


The transferability of this certificate and the shares of Common Stock represented by it are subject to the terms and conditions (including conditions of forfeiture) contained in the Amended and Restated McMoRan Exploration Co. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and a notice of grant issued thereunder to the registered owner by McMoRan Exploration Co.  Copies of the Plan and the notice of grant are on file at the principal office of McMoRan Exploration Co.


 


Alternatively, in the discretion of the Company, ownership of the Shares of Restricted Stock and the appropriate restrictions shall be reflected in the records of the Company’s transfer agent and no physical certificates shall be issued prior to vesting.


 


(d) Dividends on Restricted Stock.  Any and all cash and stock dividends paid with respect to the Shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to any restrictions on transfer, forfeitability provisions or reinvestment requirements as the Committee may, in its discretion, prescribe in the Award Agreement.


 


(e) Forfeiture.  In the event of the forfeiture of any Shares of Restricted Stock under the terms provided in the Award Agreement (including any additional Shares of Restricted Stock that may result from the reinvestment of cash and stock dividends, if so provided in the Award 


 




  





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Agreement), such forfeited shares shall be surrendered and any certificates canceled.  The Participants shall have the same rights and privileges, and be subject to the same forfeiture provisions, with respect to any additional Shares received pursuant to Section 5(b) or Section 11(b) due to a recapitalization, merger or other change in capitalization.


 


(f) Expiration of Restricted Period.  Upon the expiration or termination of the Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Committee or at such earlier time as provided in the Award Agreement or an amendment thereto, the restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock shall lapse and a stock certificate for the number of Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which the restrictions have lapsed shall be delivered or book or electronic entry evidencing ownership shall be provided, free of all such restrictions and legends, except any that may be imposed by law, to the Participant or the Participant’s estate, as the case may be.


 


(g) Rights as a Stockholder.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject to any restrictions on the receipt of dividends that may be imposed in the Award Agreement, each Participant receiving Restricted Stock shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares of stock during any period in which such Shares are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, including without limitation, the right to vote such Shares.


 


SECTION 9


 


(a) Restricted Stock Units.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Eligible Individuals to whom Restricted Stock Units shall be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each Award of Restricted Stock Units and the terms, conditions, and limitations applicable thereto.  An Award of Restricted Stock Units is a right to receive shares of Common Stock in the future and may be subject to the attainment of specified performance goals or targets, restrictions on transfer, forfeitability provisions and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan.  An award of Restricted Stock Units may be made in lieu of the payment of cash compensation otherwise due to an Eligible Individual.  To the extent that an Award of Restricted Stock Units is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m), it must be made subject to the attainment of one or more of the performance goals specified in Section 5(c) hereof and meet the additional requirements imposed by Section 162(m).


 


(b) The Vesting Period.  At the time that an Award of Restricted Stock Units is made, the Committee shall establish a period of time during which the Restricted Stock Units shall vest.  Each Award of Restricted Stock may have a different vesting period.  Except (i) for Restricted Stock Units granted to Outside Directors, (ii) for Restricted Stock Units that vest based on the attainment of performance goals, and (iii) as provided in Section 5(a)(i)(C)(2), a vesting period of at least three years is required with incremental vesting of the Award over the three-year period permitted.  If the grant or vesting is subject to the attainment of specified performance goals, a vesting period of at least one year with incremental vesting is permitted.  The expiration of the vesting period shall also occur as provided in the Award Agreement in accordance with Section 12(a) hereof.


 




  





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(c) Rights as a Stockholder.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject to any restrictions that may be imposed in the Award Agreement, each Participant receiving Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to such Restricted Stock Units until such time as Shares are issued to the Participant.


 


SECTION 10


 


(a) Other Stock-Based Awards.  The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to Eligible Individuals an “Other Stock-Based Award,” which shall consist of an Award that is not an instrument or Award specified in Sections 6 through 9 of this Plan, the value of which is based in whole or in part on the value of Shares.  Other Stock-Based Awards may be awards of Shares or may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for Shares), as deemed by the Committee consistent with the purposes of the Plan.  The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other Stock-Based Award and may provide that such awards would be payable in whole or in part in cash.  To the extent that an Other Stock-Based Award is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m), it must be made subject to the attainment of one or more of the performance goals specified in Section 5(c) hereof and meet the additional requirements imposed by Section 162(m).


 


(b) The Vesting Period.  Except (i) for Other Stock-Based Awards granted to Outside Directors, (ii) for Other Stock-Based Awards that vest based on the attainment of performance goals, and (iii) as provided in Section 5(a)(i)(C)(2), a vesting period of at least three years is required with incremental vesting of the Award over the three-year period permitted.  If the grant or vesting is subject to the attainment of specified performance goals, a vesting period of at least one year with incremental vesting is permitted.  The expiration of the vesting period shall also occur as provided in the Award Agreement in accordance with Section 12(a) hereof.


 


(c) Dividend Equivalents.  In the sole and complete discretion of the Committee, an Award, whether made as an Other Stock-Based Award under this Section 10 or as an Award granted pursuant to Sections 6 through 9 hereof, may provide the holder thereof with dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, Shares, Subsidiary securities, other securities or other property on a current or deferred basis.


 


SECTION 11


 


(a) Amendment or Discontinuance of the Plan.  The Board may amend or discontinue the Plan at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment may


 


(i) without the approval of the stockholders, (A) increase, subject to adjustments permitted herein, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued through the Plan, (B) materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (C) materially expand the classes of persons eligible to participate in the Plan, (D) expand the types of Awards available for grant under the Plan, (E) materially extend the term of the Plan, (F) materially change the method of determining the exercise price of Options or Stock 


 




  





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Appreciation Rights, or (G) amend Section 11(c) to permit a reduction in the exercise price of Options; or


 


(ii) materially impair, without the consent of the recipient, an Award previously granted.


 


(b) Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events.  The Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 5(b) hereof) affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.


 


(c) Cancellation.  Any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Committee may cause any Award granted hereunder to be canceled in consideration of a cash payment or alternative Award made to the holder of such canceled Award equal in value to such canceled Award.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, except for adjustments permitted under Sections 5(b) and 11(b), no action by the Committee shall, unless approved by the stockholders of the Company, (i) cause a reduction in the exercise price of Options granted under the Plan or (ii) permit an outstanding Option with an exercise price greater than the current fair market value of a Share to be surrendered as consideration for a new Option with a lower exercise price, shares of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Other Stock-Based Award, a cash payment, or Common Stock.  The determinations of value under this subparagraph shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion.


 


SECTION 12


 


(a) Award Agreements.  Each Award hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement or notice delivered to the Participant (by paper copy or electronically) that shall specify the terms and conditions thereof and any rules applicable thereto, including but not limited to the effect on such Award of the death, retirement or other termination of employment or cessation of consulting or advisory services of the Participant and the effect thereon, if any, of a change in control of the Company.


 


(b) Withholding.


 


    (i)           A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to deduct from all amounts paid to a Participant (whether under the Plan or otherwise), any taxes required by law to be paid or withheld in respect of Awards hereunder to such Participant.  The Committee may provide for additional cash payments to holders of Awards to defray or offset any tax arising from the grant, vesting, exercise or payment of any Award.


 


(ii) At any time that a Participant is required to pay to the Company an amount required to be withheld under the applicable tax laws in connection with the issuance of Shares under the Plan, the Participant may, if permitted by the Committee, satisfy this obligation in whole or in part by delivering currently owned Shares or by electing (the “Election”) to have 


 




  





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the Company withhold from the issuance Shares, which Shares shall have a value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld.  The value of the Shares delivered or withheld shall be based on the fair market value of the Shares on the date as of which the amount of tax to be withheld shall be determined in accordance with applicable tax laws (the “Tax Date”).


 


(iii) Each Election to have Shares withheld must be made prior to the Tax Date.  If a Participant wishes to deliver Shares in payment of taxes, the Participant must so notify the Company prior to the Tax Date.


 


(c) Transferability.


 


(i) No Awards granted hereunder may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise encumbered by a Participant except:


 


(A) by will;


 


(B) by the laws of descent and distribution;


 


(C) pursuant to a domestic relations order, as defined in the Code, if permitted by the Committee and so provided in the Award Agreement or an amendment thereto; or


 


(D) if permitted by the Committee and so provided in the Award Agreement or an amendment thereto, Options may be transferred or assigned (1) to Immediate Family Members, (2) to a partnership in which Immediate Family Members, or entities in which Immediate Family Members are the owners, members or beneficiaries, as appropriate, are the partners, (3) to a limited liability company in which Immediate Family Members, or entities in which Immediate Family Members are the owners, members or beneficiaries, as appropriate, are the members, or (4) to a trust for the benefit of Immediate Family Members; provided, however, that no more than a de minimis beneficial interest in a partnership, limited liability company, or trust described in (2), (3) or (4) above may be owned by a person who is not an Immediate Family Member or by an entity that is not beneficially owned solely by Immediate Family Members.


 


(ii) To the extent that an Incentive Stock Option is permitted to be transferred during the lifetime of the Participant, it shall be treated thereafter as a Nonqualified Stock Option.  Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of Awards, or levy of attachment or similar process upon Awards not specifically permitted herein, shall be null and void and without effect.  The designation of a Designated Beneficiary shall not be a violation of this Section 12(c).


 


(d) Share Certificates.  Any certificates or book or electronic entry ownership evidence for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which such Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal or state laws, and the Committee may 


 




  





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cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.


 


(e) No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the grant of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and other types of Awards provided for hereunder (subject to stockholder approval of any such arrangement if approval is required), and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.


 


(f) No Right to Employment.  The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of or as a consultant or adviser to the Company or any Subsidiary or in the employ of or as a consultant or adviser to any other entity providing services to the Company.  The Company or any Subsidiary or any such entity may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, or terminate any arrangement pursuant to which the Participant provides services to the Company or a Subsidiary, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.  No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Individuals, Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards.


 


(g) Governing Law.  The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.


 


(h) Severability.  If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.


 


(i) No Trust or Fund Created.  Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and a Participant or any other Person.  To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.


 


(j) No Fractional Shares.  No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.


 




  





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(k) Compliance with Law.  The Company intends that Awards granted under the Plan, or any deferrals thereof, will comply with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent applicable.


 


(l) Deferral Permitted.  Payment of cash or distribution of any Shares to which a Participant is entitled under any Award shall be made as provided in the Award Agreement.  Payment may be deferred at the option of the Participant if provided in the Award Agreement.


 


(m) Headings.  Headings are given to the subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.


 


SECTION 13


 


Term of the Plan.  Subject to Section 11(a), no Awards may be granted under the Plan after May 3, 2020, which is ten years after the date the Plan was last approved by the Company’s stockholders; provided, however, that Awards granted prior to such date shall remain in effect until such Awards have either been satisfied, expired or canceled under the terms of the Plan, and any restrictions imposed on Shares in connection with their issuance under the Plan have lapsed.







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