Exhibit 10.6

 

AXSOME THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

2015 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

Effective as of the Effective Date (as defined below), the Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is hereby established as a successor to the 2013 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2013 Plan”).  The 2013 Plan is hereby merged with and into this Plan effective as of the Effective Date, and no additional grants shall be made thereafter under the 2013 Plan.  Outstanding grants under the 2013 Plan shall continue in effect according to their terms as in effect before the Effective Date, consistent with the 2013 Plan, and the shares with respect to outstanding grants under the 2013 Plan shall be issued or transferred under this Plan.

 

The purpose of the Plan is (i) to provide employees of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, certain consultants and advisors who perform services for the Company or its subsidiaries, and non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company with the opportunity to receive grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, stock units, and other stock-based awards, and (ii) to provide selected executive employees with the opportunity to receive cash awards that are considered “qualified performance-based compensation” under section 162(m) of the Code (as defined below).

 

The Company believes that the Plan will encourage the participants to contribute materially to the growth of the Company, thereby benefitting the Company’s stockholders, and will align the economic interests of the participants with those of the stockholders.

 

Section 1.                                          Definitions

 

The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below for purposes of the Plan:

 

(a)                                 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(b)                                 “Cash Award” shall mean a cash incentive payment awarded under the Plan as described under Section 11.

 

(c)                                  “Cause” shall have the meaning given to that term in any written employment agreement, offer letter or severance agreement between the Employer and the Participant, or if no such agreement exists or if such term is not defined therein, and unless otherwise defined in the Grant Instrument, Cause shall mean a finding by the Committee that the Participant (i) has breached his or her employment or service contract with the Employer, (ii) has engaged in disloyalty to the Employer, including, without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or proven dishonesty, (iii) has disclosed trade secrets or confidential information of the Employer to persons not entitled to receive such information, (iv) has breached any written non-competition, non-solicitation, invention assignment or confidentiality agreement between the Participant and the Employer or (v) has engaged in such other behavior detrimental to the interests of the Employer as the Committee determines.

 











 

(d)                                 Unless otherwise set forth in a Grant Instrument, a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:

 

(i)                                     Any “person” (as such term is used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company; provided that a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur as a result of a transaction in which the Company becomes a subsidiary of another corporation and in which the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the transaction, will beneficially own, immediately after the transaction, shares entitling such stockholders to more than 50% of all votes to which all stockholders of the parent corporation would be entitled in the election of directors.

 

(ii)                                  The consummation of (A) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation where, immediately after the merger or consolidation, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the merger or consolidation will not beneficially own, in substantially the same proportion as ownership immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such stockholders to more than 50% of all votes to which all stockholders of the surviving corporation would be entitled in the election of directors, or where the members of the Board, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not, immediately after the merger or consolidation, constitute a majority of the board of directors of the surviving corporation, or (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

(iii)                               A change in the composition of the Board over a period of 12 consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board members ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (A) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of such period or (B) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (A) who were still in office at the time the Board approved such election or nomination.

 

(iv)                              The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

The Committee may modify the definition of Change of Control for a particular Grant as the Committee deems appropriate to comply with section 409A of the Code or otherwise.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Grant constitutes deferred compensation subject to section 409A of the Code and the Grant provides for payment upon a Change of Control, then no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred upon an event described in items (i) — (iv) above unless the event would also constitute a change in ownership or effective control of, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of, the Company under section 409A of the Code.

 

(e)                                  “CEO” shall mean the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

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(f)                                   “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(g)                                  “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board or another committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.  With respect to Grants that are intended to be “qualified performance-based compensation” under section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall consist of two or more persons appointed by the Board, all of whom shall be “outside directors” as defined under section 162(m) of the Code.  The Committee shall consist of directors who are “non-employee directors” as defined under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and “independent directors,” as determined in accordance with the independence standards established by the stock exchange on which the Company Stock is at the time primarily traded.

 

(h)                                 “Company” shall mean Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. and shall include its successors.

 

(i)                                     “Company Stock” shall mean common stock of the Company.

 

(j)                                    “Disability” or “Disabled” shall mean a Participant’s becoming disabled within the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the Code, within the meaning of the Employer’s long-term disability plan applicable to the Participant or as otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the Grant Instrument.

 

(k)                                 “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean an amount determined by multiplying the number of shares of Company Stock subject to a Stock Unit or Other Stock-Based Award by the per-share cash dividend paid by the Company on its outstanding Company Stock, or the per-share Fair Market Value of any dividend paid on its outstanding Company Stock in consideration other than cash.  If interest is credited on accumulated divided equivalents, the term “Dividend Equivalent” shall include the accrued interest.

 

(l)                                     “Effective Date” shall mean the business day immediately preceding the date at which the registration statement for the initial public offering of the Company Stock is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Company Stock is priced for the initial public offering of such Company Stock, subject to approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company.

 

(m)                             “Employee” shall mean an employee of the Employer (including an officer or director who is also an employee), but excluding any person who is classified by the Employer as a “contractor” or “consultant,” no matter how characterized by the Internal Revenue Service, other governmental agency or a court.  Any change of characterization of an individual by the Internal Revenue Service or any court or government agency shall have no effect upon the classification of an individual as an Employee for purposes of this Plan, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

 

(n)                                 “Employed by, or providing service to, the Employer” shall mean employment or service as an Employee, Key Advisor or member of the Board (so that, for purposes of exercising Options and SARs and satisfying conditions with respect to Stock Awards, Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash Awards, a Participant shall not be

 

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considered to have terminated employment or service until the Participant ceases to be an Employee, Key Advisor and member of the Board), unless the Committee determines otherwise.

 

(o)                                 “Employer” shall mean the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

(p)                                 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(q)                                 “Exercise Price” shall mean the per share price at which shares of Company Stock may be purchased under an Option, as designated by the Committee.

 

(r)                                    “Fair Market Value” shall mean:

 

(i)                                     If the Company Stock is publicly traded, the Fair Market Value per share shall be determined as follows: (A) if the principal trading market for the Company Stock is a national securities exchange, the closing sales price during regular trading hours on the relevant date or, if there were no trades on that date, the latest preceding date upon which a sale was reported, or (B) if the Company Stock is not principally traded on any such exchange, the last reported sale price of a share of Company Stock during regular trading hours on the relevant date, as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board.

 

(ii)                                  If the Company Stock is not publicly traded or, if publicly traded, is not subject to reported transactions as set forth above, the Fair Market Value per share shall be determined by the Committee through any reasonable valuation method authorized under the Code.

 

(iii)                               If a Grant is made effective on the date that the registration statement for the initial public offering of the Company Stock is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Company Stock is priced for the initial public offering of such Company Stock, then the Fair Market Value per share shall be equal to the per share price of Company Stock offered to the public in such initial public offering.

 

(s)                                   “GAAP” shall mean United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

 

(t)                                    “Grant” shall mean an Option, SAR, Stock Award, Stock Unit, Other Stock-Based Award or Cash Award granted under the Plan.

 

(u)                                 “Grant Instrument” shall mean the written agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions of a Grant, including all amendments thereto.

 

(v)                                 “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of an incentive stock option under section 422 of the Code.

 

(w)                               “Key Advisor” shall mean a consultant or advisor of the Employer.

 

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(x)                                 “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

 

(y)                                 “Nonqualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not intended to be taxed as an incentive stock option under section 422 of the Code.

 

(z)                                  “Option” shall mean an option to purchase shares of Company Stock, as described in Section 6.

 

(aa)                          “Other Stock-Based Award” shall mean any Grant based on, measured by or payable in Company Stock (other than an Option, Stock Unit, Stock Award, or SAR), as described in Section 10.

 

(bb)                          “Participant” shall mean an Employee, Key Advisor or Non-Employee Director designated by the Committee to participate in the Plan.

 

(cc)                            “Performance-Based Grant” shall have the meaning given that term in Section 13.

 

(dd)                          “Plan” shall mean this Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, as in effect from time to time.

 

(ee)                            “Reliance Period” shall have the meaning given that term in Section 19(c)(i).

 

(ff)                              “Restriction Period” shall have the meaning given that term in Section 7(a).

 

(gg)                            “SAR” shall mean a stock appreciation right, as described in Section 9.

 

(hh)                          “Stock Award” shall mean an award of Company Stock, as described in Section 7.

 

(ii)                                  “Stock Unit” shall mean an award of a phantom unit representing a share of Company Stock, as described in Section 8.

 

(jj)                                “Substitute Awards” shall have the meaning given that term in Section 4(b).

 

Section 2.                                          Administration

 

(a)                                 Committee.  The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee; provided, however, that any Grants to members of the Board must be authorized by the Board.  The Committee may delegate authority to one or more subcommittees, as it deems appropriate.  To the extent that the Board, a subcommittee or the CEO, as described below, administers the Plan, references in the Plan to the “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board or such subcommittee or the CEO.

 

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(b)                                 Delegation to CEO.  Subject to compliance with applicable law and applicable stock exchange requirements, the Committee may delegate all or part of its authority and power to the CEO, as it deems appropriate, with respect to Grants to Employees or Key Advisors who are not executive officers under section 16 of the Exchange Act and provided the Grants are not intended to be Performance-Based Grants as described in Section 13.

 

(c)                                  Committee Authority.  The Committee shall have the sole authority to (i) determine the individuals to whom Grants shall be made under the Plan, (ii) determine the type, size, terms and conditions of the Grants to be made to each such individual, (iii) determine the time when the Grants will be made and the duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period, including the criteria for exercisability and the acceleration of exercisability, (v) amend the terms of any previously issued Grant, subject to the provisions of Section 19 below, and (vi) deal with any other matters arising under the Plan.

 

(d)                                 Committee Determinations.  The Committee shall have full power and express discretionary authority to administer and interpret the Plan, to make factual determinations and to adopt or amend such rules, regulations, agreements and instruments for implementing the Plan and for the conduct of its business as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion.  The Committee’s interpretations of the Plan and all determinations made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having any interest in the Plan or in any awards granted hereunder.  All powers of the Committee shall be executed in its sole discretion, in the best interest of the Company, not as a fiduciary, and in keeping with the objectives of the Plan and need not be uniform as to similarly situated individuals.

 

(e)                                  Indemnification.  No member of the Committee and no employee of the Company shall be liable for any act or failure to act with respect to the Plan, except in circumstances involving his or her bad faith or willful misconduct, or for any act or failure to act hereunder by any other member of the Committee or employee or by any agent to whom duties in connection with the administration of this Plan have been delegated.  The Company shall indemnify members of the Committee and any agent of the Committee who is an employee of the Company or a subsidiary against any and all liabilities or expenses to which they may be subjected by reason of any act or failure to act with respect to their duties on behalf of the Plan, except in circumstances involving such person’s bad faith or willful misconduct.

 

Section 3.                                          Grants

 

Grants under the Plan may consist of Options as described in Section 6, Stock Awards as described in Section 7, Stock Units as described in Section 8, SARs as described in Section 9, Other Stock-Based Awards as described in Section 10, and Cash Awards as described in Section 11.  All Grants shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and to such other terms and conditions consistent with this Plan as the Committee deems appropriate and as are specified in writing by the Committee to the individual in the Grant Instrument.  All Grants shall be made conditional upon the Participant’s acknowledgement, in writing or by acceptance of the Grant, that all decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participant, his or her beneficiaries and any other person having or claiming an interest under

 

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such Grant.  Grants under a particular Section of the Plan need not be uniform as among the Participants.

 

Section 4.                                          Shares Subject to the Plan

 

(a)                                 Shares Authorized.  Subject to adjustment as described below in Section 4(d), the aggregate number of shares of Company Stock that may be issued or transferred under the Plan shall be equal to the sum of the following: (i) 3,500,000, plus (ii) the number of shares of Company Stock subject to outstanding grants under the 2013 Plan as of the Effective Date, plus (iii) the number of shares of Company Stock remaining available for issuance under the 2013 Plan but not subject to previously exercised, vested or paid grants as of the Effective Date; provided, however, that the aggregate number of shares of Company Stock that may be issued or transferred under the Plan pursuant to Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed 3,500,000 shares of Company Stock.  In addition, as of the first trading day of January during the term of the Plan, beginning with calendar year 2017, an additional positive number of shares of Company Stock shall be added to the number of shares of Company Stock authorized to be issued or transferred under the Plan and the number of shares authorized to be issued or transferred pursuant to Incentive Stock Options, equal to 4% of the total number of shares of Company Stock outstanding on the last trading day in December of the immediately preceding calendar year.

 

(b)                                 Source of Shares; Share Counting.  Shares issued or transferred under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Company Stock or reacquired shares of Company Stock, including shares purchased by the Company on the open market for purposes of the Plan.  If and to the extent Options or SARs granted under the Plan (including options granted under the 2013 Plan) terminate, expire or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered without having been exercised, or if any Stock Awards, Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards are forfeited, terminated or otherwise not paid in full, the shares subject to such Grants shall again be available for purposes of the Plan.  If shares of Company Stock otherwise issuable under the Plan are surrendered in payment of the Exercise Price of an Option, then the number of shares of Company Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced only by the net number of shares actually issued by the Company upon such exercise and not by the gross number of shares as to which such Option is exercised.  Upon the exercise of any SAR under the Plan, the number of shares of Company Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by only by the net number of shares actually issued by the Company upon such exercise.  If shares of Company Stock otherwise issuable under the Plan are withheld by the Company in satisfaction of the withholding taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, vesting or exercise of any Grant or the issuance of Company Stock thereunder, then the number of shares of Company Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the net number of shares issued, vested or exercised under such Grant, calculated in each instance after payment of such share withholding.  To the extent any Grants are paid in cash, and not in shares of Company Stock, any shares previously subject to such Grants shall again be available for issuance or transfer under the Plan.  In addition, (i) shares issued or transferred under Grants made pursuant to an assumption, substitution or exchange for previously granted awards of a company acquired by the Company in a transaction (“Substitute Awards”) shall not reduce the number of shares of Company Stock available under the Plan and (ii) available shares under a stockholder approved plan of an acquired company (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) may be used

 

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for Grants under the Plan and shall not reduce the Plan’s share reserve (subject to applicable stock exchange listing and Code requirements).

 

(c)                                  Individual Limits.  Subject to adjustment as described below in Section 4(d), the following Grant limitations shall apply:

 

(i)                                     With respect to Performance-Based Grants measured in shares of Company Stock (whether payable in Company Stock, cash or a combination of both), the maximum number of shares of Company Stock for which such Grants may be made to any Employee in any calendar year shall not exceed 1,750,000 shares of Company Stock in the aggregate.

 

(ii)                                  For Performance-Based Grants measured in cash dollars (whether payable in cash, Company Stock or a combination of both), including Cash Awards, the maximum dollar amount for which such Grants may be paid to any Employee with respect to each 12 month period within a performance period shall not exceed $9,000,000.  If a performance period includes more than one year, the amount payable with respect to each 12 month period shall be determined by dividing the total amount payable for the performance period by the number of years in the performance period.

 

(iii)                               For dividends with respect to Stock Awards that are Performance-Based Grants and Dividend Equivalents that are Performance-Based Grants, an Employee may not accrue an aggregate amount of dividends and Dividend Equivalents in excess of $2,000,000 in any calendar year.

 

(iv)                              The maximum grant date value of shares of Company Stock subject to Grants made to any Non-Employee Director during any calendar year, taken together with any cash fees earned by such Non-Employee Director for services rendered during the calendar year, shall not exceed $300,000 in total value, with the value of such Grants calculated based on the grant date fair value of such Grants for financial reporting purposes.

 

(v)                                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the individual limits described in subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be increased to two times the otherwise applicable limits with respect to Performance-Based Grants that are made on or around the date of hire to a newly hired Employee.

 

(d)                                 Adjustments.  If there is any change in the number or kind of shares of Company Stock outstanding by reason of (i) a stock dividend, spinoff, recapitalization, stock split, or combination or exchange of shares, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation, (iii) a reclassification or change in par value, or (iv) any other extraordinary or unusual event affecting the outstanding Company Stock as a class without the Company’s receipt of consideration, or if the value of outstanding shares of Company Stock is substantially reduced as a result of a spinoff or the Company’s payment of an extraordinary dividend or distribution, the maximum number and kind of shares of Company Stock available for issuance under the Plan, the maximum number and kind of shares of Company Stock for which any individual may receive Grants in any year, the kind and number of shares covered by outstanding Grants, the kind and number of

 

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shares issued and to be issued under the Plan, and the price per share or the applicable market value of such Grants shall be equitably adjusted by the Committee to reflect any increase or decrease in the number of, or change in the kind or value of, the issued shares of Company Stock to preclude, to the extent practicable, the enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits under the Plan and such outstanding Grants; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated.  In addition, in the event of a Change of Control, the provisions of Section 14 of the Plan shall apply.  Any adjustments to outstanding Grants shall be consistent with section 409A or 424 of the Code, to the extent applicable.  The adjustments of Grants under this Section 4(d) shall include adjustment of shares, Exercise Price of Stock Options, base amount of SARs, performance goals or other terms and conditions, as the Committee deems appropriate.  The Committee shall have the sole discretion and authority to determine what appropriate adjustments shall be made and any adjustments determined by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

Section 5.                                          Eligibility for Participation

 

(a)                                 Eligible Persons.  All Employees and Non-Employee Directors shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.  Key Advisors shall be eligible to participate in the Plan if the Key Advisors render bona fide services to the Employer, the services are not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and the Key Advisors do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

 

(b)                                 Selection of Participants.  The Committee shall select the Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors to receive Grants and shall determine the number of shares of Company Stock subject to a particular Grant in such manner as the Committee determines.

 

Section 6.                                          Options

 

The Committee may grant Options to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor upon such terms as the Committee deems appropriate.  The following provisions are applicable to Options:

 

(a)                                 Number of Shares.  The Committee shall determine the number of shares of Company Stock that will be subject to each Grant of Options to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors.

 

(b)                                 Type of Option and Exercise Price.

 

(i)                                     The Committee may grant Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options or any combination of the two, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or its parent or subsidiary corporations, as defined in section 424 of the Code.  Nonqualified Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors.

 

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(ii)                                  The Exercise Price of Company Stock subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date the Option is granted.  However, an Incentive Stock Option may not be granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in section 424 of the Code, unless the Exercise Price per share is not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date of grant.

 

(c)                                  Option Term.  The Committee shall determine the term of each Option.  The term of any Option shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.  However, an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in section 424 of the Code, may not have a term that exceeds five years from the date of grant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that on the last business day of the term of an Option (other than an Incentive Stock Option), the exercise of the Option is prohibited by applicable law, including a prohibition on purchases or sales of Company Stock under the Company’s insider trading policy, the term of the Option shall be extended for a period of 30 days following the end of the legal prohibition, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

 

(d)                                 Exercisability of Options.  Options shall become exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions, consistent with the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee and specified in the Grant Instrument.  The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any or all outstanding Options at any time for any reason.

 

(e)                                  Grants to Non-Exempt Employees.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options granted to persons who are non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, may not be exercisable for at least six months after the date of grant (except that such Options may become exercisable, as determined by the Committee, upon the Participant’s death, Disability or retirement, or upon a Change of Control or other circumstances permitted by applicable regulations).

 

(f)                                   Termination of Employment or Service.  Except as provided in the Grant Instrument, an Option may only be exercised while the Participant is employed by, or providing services to, the Employer.  The Committee shall determine in the Grant Instrument under what circumstances and during what time periods a Participant may exercise an Option after termination of employment or service.

 

(g)                                  Exercise of Options.  A Participant may exercise an Option that has become exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivering a notice of exercise to the Company.  The Participant shall pay the Exercise Price for an Option as specified by the Committee (i) in cash, (ii) unless the Committee determines otherwise, by delivering shares of Company Stock owned by the Participant and having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise at least equal to the Exercise Price or by attestation (on a form prescribed by the Committee) to ownership of shares of Company Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise at least equal to the

 

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Exercise Price, (iii) by payment through a broker in accordance with procedures permitted by Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, (iv) by withholding shares of Company Stock subject to the exercisable Option, which have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price, or (v) by such other method as the Committee may approve.  Shares of Company Stock used to exercise an Option shall have been held by the Participant for the requisite period of time necessary to avoid adverse accounting consequences to the Company with respect to the Option.  Payment for the shares to be issued or transferred pursuant to the Option, and any required withholding taxes, must be received by the Company by the time specified by the Committee depending on the type of payment being made, but in all cases prior to the issuance or transfer of such shares.

 

(h)                                 Limits on Incentive Stock Options.  Each Incentive Stock Option shall provide that, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Company Stock on the date of the grant with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year, under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company or a parent or subsidiary, exceeds $100,000, then the Option, as to the excess, shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

Section 7.                                          Stock Awards

 

The Committee may issue or transfer shares of Company Stock to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor under a Stock Award, upon such terms as the Committee deems appropriate.  The following provisions are applicable to Stock Awards:

 

(a)                                 General Requirements.  Shares of Company Stock issued or transferred pursuant to Stock Awards may be issued or transferred for consideration or for no consideration, and subject to restrictions or no restrictions, as determined by the Committee.  The Committee may, but shall not be required to, establish conditions under which restrictions on Stock Awards shall lapse over a period of time or according to such other criteria as the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals.  The period of time during which the Stock Awards will remain subject to restrictions will be designated in the Grant Instrument as the “Restriction Period.”

 

(b)                                 Number of Shares.  The Committee shall determine the number of shares of Company Stock to be issued or transferred pursuant to a Stock Award and the restrictions applicable to such shares.

 

(c)                                  Requirement of Employment or Service.  If the Participant ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer during a period designated in the Grant Instrument as the Restriction Period, or if other specified conditions are not met, the Stock Award shall terminate as to all shares covered by the Grant as to which the restrictions have not lapsed, and those shares of Company Stock must be immediately returned to the Company.  The Committee may, however, provide for complete or partial exceptions to this requirement as it deems appropriate.

 

(d)                                 Restrictions on Transfer and Legend on Stock Certificate.  During the Restriction Period, a Participant may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the

 

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shares of a Stock Award except under Section 17 below.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Company will retain possession of certificates for shares of Stock Awards until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed.  Each certificate for a Stock Award, unless held by the Company, shall contain a legend giving appropriate notice of the restrictions in the Grant.  The Participant shall be entitled to have the legend removed from the stock certificate covering the shares subject to restrictions when all restrictions on such shares have lapsed.  The Committee may determine that the Company will not issue certificates for Stock Awards until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed.

 

(e)                                  Right to Vote and to Receive Dividends.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, during the Restriction Period, the Participant shall have the right to vote shares of Stock Awards and to receive any dividends or other distributions paid on such shares, subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee, including, without limitation, the achievement of specific performance goals. Dividends with respect to Stock Awards that vest based on performance shall vest if and to the extent that the underlying Stock Award vests, as determined by the Committee.

 

(f)                                   Lapse of Restrictions.  All restrictions imposed on Stock Awards shall lapse upon the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period and the satisfaction of all conditions, if any, imposed by the Committee.  The Committee may determine, as to any or all Stock Awards, that the restrictions shall lapse without regard to any Restriction Period.

 

Section 8.                                          Stock Units

 

The Committee may grant Stock Units, each of which shall represent one hypothetical share of Company Stock, to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor upon such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.  The following provisions are applicable to Stock Units:

 

(a)                                 Crediting of Units.  Each Stock Unit shall represent the right of the Participant to receive a share of Company Stock or an amount of cash based on the value of a share of Company Stock, if and when specified conditions are met.  All Stock Units shall be credited to bookkeeping accounts established on the Company’s records for purposes of the Plan.

 

(b)                                 Terms of Stock Units.  The Committee may grant Stock Units that vest and are payable if specified performance goals or other conditions are met, or under other circumstances.  Stock Units may be paid at the end of a specified performance period or other period, or payment may be deferred to a date authorized by the Committee.  The Committee shall determine the number of Stock Units to be granted and the requirements applicable to such Stock Units.

 

(c)                                  Requirement of Employment or Service.  If the Participant ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer prior to the vesting of Stock Units, or if other conditions established by the Committee are not met, the Participant’s Stock Units shall be forfeited.  The Committee may, however, provide for complete or partial exceptions to this requirement as it deems appropriate.

 

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(d)                                 Payment With Respect to Stock Units.  Payments with respect to Stock Units shall be made in cash, Company Stock or any combination of the foregoing, as the Committee shall determine.

 

Section 9.                                          Stock Appreciation Rights

 

The Committee may grant SARs to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor separately or in tandem with any Option.  The following provisions are applicable to SARs:

 

(a)                                 General Requirements.  The Committee may grant SARs to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor separately or in tandem with any Option (for all or a portion of the applicable Option).  Tandem SARs may be granted either at the time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter while the Option remains outstanding; provided, however, that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, SARs may be granted only at the time of the grant of the Incentive Stock Option.  The Committee shall establish the base amount of the SAR at the time the SAR is granted.  The base amount of each SAR shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock as of the date of grant of the SAR. The term of any SAR shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that on the last business day of the term of a SAR, the exercise of the SAR is prohibited by applicable law, including a prohibition on purchases or sales of Company Stock under the Company’s insider trading policy, the term shall be extended for a period of 30 days following the end of the legal prohibition, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

 

(b)                                 Tandem SARs.  In the case of tandem SARs, the number of SARs granted to a Participant that shall be exercisable during a specified period shall not exceed the number of shares of Company Stock that the Participant may purchase upon the exercise of the related Option during such period.  Upon the exercise of an Option, the SARs relating to the Company Stock covered by such Option shall terminate.  Upon the exercise of SARs, the related Option shall terminate to the extent of an equal number of shares of Company Stock.

 

(c)                                  Exercisability.  An SAR shall be exercisable during the period specified by the Committee in the Grant Instrument and shall be subject to such vesting and other restrictions as may be specified in the Grant Instrument.  The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any or all outstanding SARs at any time for any reason.  SARs may only be exercised while the Participant is employed by, or providing service to, the Employer or during the applicable period after termination of employment or service as specified by the Committee.  A tandem SAR shall be exercisable only during the period when the Option to which it is related is also exercisable.

 

(d)                                 Grants to Non-Exempt Employees.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, SARs granted to persons who are non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, may not be exercisable for at least six months after the date of grant (except that such SARs may become exercisable, as determined by the Committee, upon the Participant’s death, Disability or retirement, or upon a Change of Control or other circumstances permitted by applicable regulations).

 

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(e)                                  Value of SARs.  When a Participant exercises SARs, the Participant shall receive in settlement of such SARs an amount equal to the value of the stock appreciation for the number of SARs exercised.  The stock appreciation for an SAR is the amount by which the Fair Market Value of the underlying Company Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR exceeds the base amount of the SAR as described in subsection (a).

 

(f)                                   Form of Payment.  The appreciation in an SAR shall be paid in shares of Company Stock, cash or any combination of the foregoing, as the Committee shall determine.  For purposes of calculating the number of shares of Company Stock to be received, shares of Company Stock shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR.

 

Section 10.                                   Other Stock-Based Awards

 

The Committee may grant Other Stock-Based Awards, which are awards (other than those described in Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Plan) that are based on or measured by Company Stock, to any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor, on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.  Other Stock-Based Awards may be awarded subject to the achievement of performance goals or other conditions and may be payable in cash, Company Stock or any combination of the foregoing, as the Committee shall determine.

 

Section 11.                                   Cash Awards

 

The Committee may grant Cash Awards to Employees who are executive officers and other key employees of the Company.  The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions applicable to Cash Awards, including the criteria for the vesting and payment of Cash Awards. Cash Awards shall be based on such measures as the Committee deems appropriate and need not relate to the value of shares of Company Stock.

 

Section 12.                                   Dividend Equivalents

 

The Committee may grant Dividend Equivalents in connection with Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards.  Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or accrued as contingent cash obligations and may be payable in cash or shares of Company Stock, and upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.  Dividend Equivalents that vest based on performance shall vest and be paid only if and to the extent the underlying Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards vest and are paid, as determined by the Committee.

 

Section 13.                                   Qualified Performance-Based Compensation

 

The Committee may determine that Stock Awards, Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards, Cash Awards and Dividend Equivalents granted to an Employee shall be considered “qualified performance-based compensation” under section 162(m) of the Code (“Performance-Based Grants”).  The following provisions shall apply to Stock Awards, Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards, Cash Awards and Dividend Equivalents that are to be considered Performance-Based Grants:

 

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(a)                                 Performance Goals.

 

(i)                                     When Performance-Based Grants are granted, the Committee shall establish in writing (A) the objective performance goals that must be met, (B) the performance period during which the performance will be measured, (C) the maximum amounts that may be paid if the performance goals are met, and (D) any other conditions that the Committee deems appropriate and consistent with the Plan and section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(ii)                                  The performance goals may be established on an absolute or relative basis and may be established on a corporate-wide basis or with respect to one or more business units, divisions, subsidiaries or business segments.  Relative performance may be measured against a group of peer companies, a financial market index or other objective and quantifiable indices.  The Committee shall use objectively determinable performance goals based on one or more of the following criteria: cash flow; earnings (including gross margin, earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and charges for stock-based compensation, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and net earnings); earnings per share; growth in earnings or earnings per share; stock price; return on equity or average stockholder equity; total stockholder return or growth in total stockholder return either directly or in relation to a comparative group; return on capital; return on assets or net assets; revenue, growth in revenue or return on sales; income or net income; operating income, net operating income or net operating income after tax; operating profit or net operating profit; operating margin; return on operating revenue or return on operating profit; regulatory filings; regulatory approvals, litigation and regulatory resolution goals; other operational, regulatory or departmental objectives; budget comparisons; growth in stockholder value relative to established indexes, or another peer group or peer group index; development and implementation of strategic plans and/or organizational restructuring goals; development and implementation of risk and crisis management programs; improvement in workforce diversity; compliance requirements and compliance relief; safety goals; productivity goals; workforce management and succession planning goals; economic value added (including typical adjustments consistently applied from generally accepted accounting principles required to determine economic value added performance measures); measures of customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction or staff development; development or marketing collaborations, formations of joint ventures or partnerships or the completion of other similar transactions intended to enhance the Corporation’s revenue or profitability or enhance its customer base; merger and acquisitions; licensing transactions; intellectual property milestones; clinical trial progress milestones; scientific publication milestones; research and development milestones; financing milestones; strategic partnership milestones; and other similar criteria consistent with the foregoing. Any performance criteria that are financial metrics may be determined in accordance with GAAP, or may be adjusted when established to include or exclude any items otherwise includable or excludable under GAAP.

 

(iii)                               In establishing performance goals, the Committee may, no later than the date on which such performance goals are to be established in accordance with Section 13(b) below, provide for the exclusion of the effects of items such as the following, to the extent identified in the audited financial statements of the Company, including footnotes, in the Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

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accompanying such financial statements, or as otherwise specified by the Committee:  (A) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and other unusual, infrequent or non-recurring charges or events, (B) asset write-downs, (C) significant litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (D) acquisitions or divestitures, (E) any reorganization or change in the corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, (F) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company, subsidiary, division, business segment or business unit or not within the reasonable control of management, (G) foreign exchange gains and losses, (H) a change in the fiscal year of the Company, (I) the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes in accordance with GAAP, or (J) the effect of changes in other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results.

 

(b)                                 Establishment of Goals.  The Committee shall establish the performance goals in writing either before the beginning of the performance period or during a period ending no later than the earlier of (i) 90 days after the beginning of the performance period or (ii) the date on which 25% of the performance period has been completed, or such other date as may be required or permitted under applicable regulations under section 162(m) of the Code.  The performance goals shall satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation,” including the requirement that the achievement of the goals be substantially uncertain at the time they are established and that the goals be established in such a way that a third party with knowledge of the relevant facts could determine whether and to what extent the performance goals have been met.  The Committee shall not have discretion to increase the amount of compensation that is payable upon achievement of the designated performance goals.

 

(c)                                  Certification of Results.  The Committee shall certify achievement of the performance goals after the end of the applicable performance period.  If and to the extent that the Committee does not certify that the performance goals have been met, the Performance-Based Grants granted for the performance period shall be forfeited or shall not be made or paid, as applicable.

 

(d)                                 Death, Disability or Other Circumstances.  The Committee may provide that Performance-Based Grants shall be payable or restrictions on such Grants shall lapse, in whole or in part, in the event of the Participant’s death or Disability, on or after a Change of Control, or under other circumstances consistent with the Treasury regulations and rulings under section 162(m) of the Code.

 

Section 14.                                   Consequences of a Change of Control

 

(a)                                 Assumption of Outstanding Grants.  Upon a Change of Control where the Company is not the surviving corporation (or survives only as a subsidiary of another corporation), unless the Committee determines otherwise, all outstanding Grants that are not exercised or paid at the time of the Change of Control shall be assumed by, or replaced with grants that have comparable terms by, the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation).  After a Change of Control, references to the “Company” as they relate to employment matters shall include the successor employer in the transaction, subject to applicable law.

 

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(b)                                 Vesting Upon Certain Terminations of Employment.  Unless the Grant Instrument provides otherwise, if a Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause upon or within 12 months following a Change of Control, the Participant’s outstanding Grants shall become fully vested as of the date of such termination; provided that if the vesting of any such Grants is based, in whole or in part, on performance, the applicable Grant Instrument shall specify how the portion of the Grant that becomes vested pursuant to this Section 14(b) shall be calculated.

 

(c)                                  Other Alternatives.  In the event of a Change of Control, if any outstanding Grants are not assumed by, or replaced with grants that have comparable terms by, the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation), the Committee may take any of the following actions with respect to any or all outstanding Grants, without the consent of any Participant: (i) the Committee may determine that outstanding Stock Options and SARs shall automatically accelerate and become fully exercisable and the restrictions and conditions on outstanding Stock Awards, Stock Units, Cash Awards and Dividend Equivalents shall immediately lapse; (ii) the Committee may determine that Participants shall receive a payment in settlement of outstanding Stock Units, Cash Awards or Dividend Equivalents, in such amount and form as may be determined by the Committee; (ii) the Committee may require that Participants surrender their outstanding Stock Options and SARs in exchange for a payment by the Company, in cash or Company Stock as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to the amount, if any, by which the then Fair Market Value of the shares of Company Stock subject to the Participant’s unexercised Stock Options and SARs exceeds the Stock Option Exercise Price or SAR base amount, and (iv) after giving Participants an opportunity to exercise all of their outstanding Stock Options and SARs, the Committee may terminate any or all unexercised Stock Options and SARs at such time as the Committee deems appropriate.  Such surrender, termination or payment shall take place as of the date of the Change of Control or such other date as the Committee may specify.  Without limiting the foregoing, if the per share Fair Market Value of the Company Stock does not exceed the per share Stock Option Exercise Price or SAR base amount, as applicable, the Company shall not be required to make any payment to the participant upon surrender of the Stock Option or SAR.

 

Section 15.                                   Deferrals

 

The Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant in connection with any Grant.  If any such deferral election is permitted or required, the Committee shall establish rules and procedures for such deferrals and may provide for interest or other earnings to be paid on such deferrals.  The rules and procedures for any such deferrals shall be consistent with applicable requirements of section 409A of the Code.

 

Section 16.                                   Withholding of Taxes

 

(a)                                 Required Withholding.  All Grants under the Plan shall be subject to applicable United States federal (including FICA), state and local, foreign country or other tax withholding requirements.  The Employer may require that the Participant or other person receiving Grants or exercising Grants pay to the Employer an amount sufficient to satisfy such

 

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tax withholding requirements with respect to such Grants, or the Employer may deduct from other wages and compensation paid by the Employer the amount of any withholding taxes due with respect to such Grants.

 

(b)                                 Share Withholding.  The Committee may permit or require the Employer’s tax withholding obligation with respect to Grants paid in Company Stock to be satisfied by having shares withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the Participant’s applicable withholding tax rate for United States federal (including FICA), state and local tax liabilities.  The Committee may, in its discretion, and subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt, allow Participants to elect to have such share withholding applied to all or a portion of the tax withholding obligation arising in connection with any particular Grant.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, share withholding for taxes shall not exceed the Participant’s minimum applicable tax withholding amount.

 

Section 17.                                   Transferability of Grants

 

(a)                                 Nontransferability of Grants.  Except as described in subsection (b) below, only the Participant may exercise rights under a Grant during the Participant’s lifetime.  A Participant may not transfer those rights except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or (ii) with respect to Grants other than Incentive Stock Options, pursuant to a domestic relations order.  When a Participant dies, the personal representative or other person entitled to succeed to the rights of the Participant may exercise such rights.  Any such successor must furnish proof satisfactory to the Company of his or her right to receive the Grant under the Participant’s will or under the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

(b)                                 Transfer of Nonqualified Stock Options.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may provide, in a Grant Instrument, that a Participant may transfer Nonqualified Stock Options to family members, or one or more trusts or other entities for the benefit of or owned by family members, consistent with the applicable securities laws, according to such terms as the Committee may determine; provided that the Participant receives no consideration for the transfer of an Option and the transferred Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the Option immediately before the transfer.

 

Section 18.                                   Requirements for Issuance or Transfer of Shares

 

No Company Stock shall be issued or transferred in connection with any Grant hereunder unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the issuance or transfer of such Company Stock have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Committee.  The Committee shall have the right to condition any Grant on the Participant’s undertaking in writing to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent disposition of the shares of Company Stock as the Committee shall deem necessary or advisable, and certificates representing such shares may be legended to reflect any such restrictions.  Certificates representing shares of Company Stock issued or transferred under the Plan may be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate to comply with applicable laws, regulations and interpretations, including any requirement that a legend be placed thereon.

 

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Section 19.                                   Amendment and Termination of the Plan

 

(a)                                 Amendment.  The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however, that the Board shall not amend the Plan without stockholder approval if such approval is required in order to comply with the Code or other applicable law, or to comply with applicable stock exchange requirements.

 

(b)                                 No Repricing of Options or SARs.  Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, Company Stock, other securities or property), stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, change in control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Company Stock or other securities, or similar transactions), the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval, (i) amend the terms of outstanding Stock Options or SARs to reduce the Exercise Price of such outstanding Stock Options or base price of such SARs, (ii) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs in exchange for Stock Options or SARs with an Exercise Price or base price, as applicable, that is less than the Exercise Price or base price of the original Stock Options or SARs or (iii) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs with an Exercise Price or base price, as applicable, above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other securities.

 

(c)                                  Stockholder Approval Requirements.

 

(i)                                     The Plan is intended to comply with the transition relief set forth at Treas. Reg. §1.162-27(f)(1) for companies that become publicly held in connection with an initial public offering, which applies until the first to occur of (A) the expiration of the Plan, (B) a material modification of the Plan within the meaning of section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder, (C) the issuance of all Company Stock authorized under the Plan, or (D) the first meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which the initial public offering occurs (the period commencing on the initial public offering and ending on the first to occur of the foregoing events shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Reliance Period”).

 

(ii)                                  Following the Reliance Period, if Grants are to be made as “qualified performance-based compensation” under section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan must be approved by the stockholders in accordance with section 162(m).  Following such stockholder approval, the Plan must be reapproved by the stockholders no later than the first stockholders meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the stockholders previously approved the Plan, if additional Grants are to be made as Performance-Based Grants under Section 13 and if required by section 162(m) of the Code or the regulations thereunder.

 

(d)                                 Termination of Plan.  The Plan shall terminate on the day immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of its Effective Date, unless the Plan is terminated earlier by the Board or is extended by the Board with the approval of the stockholders.

 

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(e)                                  Termination and Amendment of Outstanding Grants.  A termination or amendment of the Plan that occurs after a Grant is made shall not materially impair the rights of a Participant unless the Participant consents or unless the Committee acts under Section 20(f) below.  The termination of the Plan shall not impair the power and authority of the Committee with respect to an outstanding Grant.  Whether or not the Plan has terminated, an outstanding Grant may be terminated or amended under Section 20(f) below or may be amended by agreement of the Company and the Participant consistent with the Plan.

 

Section 20.                                   Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                 Grants in Connection with Corporate Transactions and Otherwise.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to (i) limit the right of the Committee to make Grants under the Plan in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business or assets of any corporation, firm or association, including Grants to employees thereof who become Employees, or (ii) limit the right of the Company to grant stock options or make other awards outside of the Plan.  The Committee may make a Grant to an employee of another corporation who becomes an Employee by reason of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or property, reorganization or liquidation involving the Company, in substitution for a stock option or stock awards grant made by such corporation.  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may establish such terms and conditions of the new Grants as it deems appropriate, including setting the Exercise Price of Options or the base price of SARs at a price necessary to retain for the Participant the same economic value as the prior options or rights.

 

(b)                                 Governing Document.  The Plan shall be the controlling document.  No other statements, representations, explanatory materials or examples, oral or written, may amend the Plan in any manner.  The Plan shall be binding upon and enforceable against the Company and its successors and assigns.

 

(c)                                  Funding of the Plan.  The Plan shall be unfunded.  The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure the payment of any Grants under the Plan.

 

(d)                                 Rights of Participants.  Nothing in the Plan shall entitle any Employee, Non-Employee Director, Key Advisor or other person to any claim or right to receive a Grant under the Plan.  Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any individual any rights to be retained by or in the employ of the Employer or any other employment rights.

 

(e)                                  No Fractional Shares.  No fractional shares of Company Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Grant.  Except as otherwise provided under the Plan, the Committee shall determine whether cash, other awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

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(f)                                   Compliance with Law.

 

(i)                                     The Plan, the exercise of Options and SARs and the obligations of the Company to issue or transfer shares of Company Stock under Grants shall be subject to all applicable laws and regulations, and to approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required.  With respect to persons subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that the Plan and all transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act.  In addition, it is the intent of the Company that Incentive Stock Options comply with the applicable provisions of section 422 of the Code, that Grants of “qualified performance-based compensation” comply with the applicable provisions of section 162(m) of the Code and that, to the extent applicable, Grants comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code.  To the extent that any legal requirement of section 16 of the Exchange Act or section 422, 162(m) or 409A of the Code as set forth in the Plan ceases to be required under section 16 of the Exchange Act or section 422, 162(m) or 409A of the Code, that Plan provision shall cease to apply.  The Committee may revoke any Grant if it is contrary to law or modify a Grant to bring it into compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation.  The Committee may also adopt rules regarding the withholding of taxes on payments to Participants.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion, agree to limit its authority under this Section.

 

(ii)                                  The Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable.  Each Grant shall be construed and administered such that the Grant either (A) qualifies for an exemption from the requirements of section 409A of the Code or (B) satisfies the requirements of section 409A of the Code.  If a Grant is subject to section 409A of the Code, (I) distributions shall only be made in a manner and upon an event permitted under section 409A of the Code, (II) payments to be made upon a termination of employment or service shall only be made upon a “separation from service” under section 409A of the Code, (III) unless the Grant specifies otherwise, each installment payment shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of section 409A of the Code, and (IV) in no event shall a Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year in which a distribution is made except in accordance with section 409A of the Code.

 

(iii)                               Any Grant that is subject to section 409A of the Code and that is to be distributed to a Key Employee (as defined below) upon separation from service shall be administered so that any distribution with respect to such Grant shall be postponed for six months following the date of the Participant’s separation from service, if required by section 409A of the Code.  If a distribution is delayed pursuant to section 409A of the Code, the distribution shall be paid within 15 days after the end of the six-month period.  If the Participant dies during such six-month period, any postponed amounts shall be paid within 90 days of the Participant’s death.  The determination of Key Employees, including the number and identity of persons considered Key Employees and the identification date, shall be made by the Committee or its delegate each year in accordance with section 416(i) of the Code and the “specified employee” requirements of section 409A of the Code.

 

(iv)                              Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Grant agreement to the contrary, each Participant shall be solely responsible for the tax consequences of Grants under the Plan, and in no event shall the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company have any responsibility or liability if a Grant does not meet any applicable requirements of

 

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section 409A of the Code.  Although the Company intends to administer the Plan to prevent taxation under section 409A of the Code, the Company does not represent or warrant that the Plan or any Grant complies with any provision of federal, state, local or other tax law.

 

(g)                                  Establishment of Subplans.  The Board may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable blue sky, securities or tax laws of various jurisdictions.  The Board shall establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan setting forth (i) such limitations on the Committee’s discretion under the Plan as the Board deems necessary or desirable and (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as the Board shall deem necessary or desirable.  All supplements adopted by the Board shall be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement shall apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction and the Employer shall not be required to provide copies of any supplement to Participants in any jurisdiction that is not affected.

 

(h)                                 Clawback Rights.  Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Committee may provide in any Grant Instrument that, if a Participant breaches any restrictive covenant agreement between the Participant and the Employer (which may be set forth in any Grant Instrument) or otherwise engages in activities that constitute Cause either while employed by, or providing service to, the Employer or within a specified period of time thereafter, all Grants held by the Participant shall terminate, and the Company may rescind any exercise of an Option or SAR and the vesting of any other Grant and delivery of shares upon such exercise or vesting (including pursuant to dividends and Dividend Equivalents), as applicable on such terms as the Committee shall determine, including the right to require that in the event of any such rescission (i) the Participant shall return to the Company the shares received upon the exercise of any Option or SAR and/or the vesting and payment of any other Grant (including pursuant to dividends and Dividend Equivalents) or (ii) if the Participant no longer owns the shares, the Participant shall pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized or payment received as a result of any sale or other disposition of the shares (or, in the event the Participant transfers the shares by gift or otherwise without consideration, the Fair Market Value of the shares on the date of the breach of the restrictive covenant agreement (including a Participant’s Grant Instrument containing restrictive covenants) or activity constituting Cause), net of the price originally paid by the Participant for the shares.  Payment by the Participant shall be made in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be required by the Committee.  The Employer shall be entitled to set off against the amount of any such payment any amounts otherwise owed to the Participant by the Employer.  In addition, all Grants under the Plan shall be subject to any applicable clawback or recoupment policies, share trading policies and other policies that may be implemented by the Board from time to time.

 

(i)                                     Governing Law.  The validity, construction, interpretation and effect of the Plan and Grant Instruments issued under the Plan shall be governed and construed by and determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

 

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