Exhibit 10.1

 

RITE AID CORPORATION

2014 OMNIBUS EQUITY PLAN

 

1.  Purpose; Establishment.

 

The Rite Aid Corporation 2014 Omnibus Equity Plan (the “Plan”) is intended to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing officers and other associates of the Company and its affiliates (including directors who are also associates of the Company or its affiliates) with appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue in the employ of the Company and its affiliates and to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the Company; and to reward the performance of individual officers, other associates, non-employee directors and consultants in fulfilling their personal responsibilities for long-range achievements. The Plan is also designed to encourage stock ownership by such persons, thereby aligning their interest with those of the Company’s stockholders and to permit the payment of compensation that qualifies as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, to the extent that any Award would be subject to Section 409A of the Code, no such Award may be granted if it would fail to comply with the requirements set forth in Section 409A of the Code and any regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder. The Plan has been adopted and approved by the Board of Directors (defined below) and shall become effective as of June 19, 2014, subject to the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

 

2.  Definitions.

 

As used in the Plan, the following definitions apply to the terms indicated below:

 

(a)                                 “Affiliate” means any entity if, at the time of granting of an Award (1) the Company, directly or indirectly, owns at least 50% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of such entity or at least 50% of the ownership interests in such entity or (2) such entity, directly or indirectly, owns at least 50% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company.

 

(b)                                 “Agreement” shall mean the writing evidencing an Award or a notice of an Award delivered to a Participant by the Company.

 

(c)                                  “Award” shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Phantom Unit, Stock Bonus or Other Award granted pursuant to the terms of the Plan.

 

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

 

(e)                                  “Business Criteria” shall mean (1) return on total stockholder equity; (2) earnings or book value per share of Company Stock; (3) net income (before or after taxes); (4) earnings before all or any interest, taxes,

 











 

depreciation and/or amortization (“EBIT”, “EBITA” or “EBITDA”), including a non-GAAP measure of adjusted EBITDA (“Adjusted EBITDA”); (5) inventory goals; (6) return on assets, capital or investment; (7) market share; (8) cost reduction goals; (9) earnings from continuing operations; (10) levels of expense, costs or liabilities; (11) store level performance; (12) operating profit; (13) sales or revenues; (14) stock price appreciation; (15) total stockholder return; (16) implementation or completion of critical projects or processes; (17) prescription counts; (18) customer service or customer service satisfaction; (19) associate satisfaction; (20) clinics opened; (21) stores remodeled or constructed; (22) cost of capital; (23) Accountable Care Organization results; (24) medical services delivered; (25) leverage ratio or (26) any combination of the foregoing. Where applicable, Business Criteria may be expressed in terms of attaining a specified level of the particular criteria or the attainment of a percentage increase or decrease in the particular criteria, and may be applied to one or more of the Company, an Affiliate, or a division or strategic business unit of the Company, or may be applied to the performance of the Company relative to a market index, a group of other companies or a combination thereof, all as determined by the Committee. The Business Criteria may be subject to a threshold level of performance below which no payment will be made (or no vesting will occur), levels of performance at which specified payments will be made (or specified vesting will occur), and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment will be made (or at which full vesting will occur). Each of the Business Criteria shall be determined, where applicable and except as otherwise provided by the Committee, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall be subject to certification by the Committee; provided that the Committee shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to the Business Criteria in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Affiliate or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, in response to changes in applicable laws or regulations, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to the disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principles. If an Award is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may provide for one or more objectively determinable adjustments shall be made to the Business Criteria, which may include adjustments that would cause the measures to be considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(f)                                   “Cause” shall have meaning set forth in the Participant’s employment agreement with the Company; provided that if no such agreement or definition exists, “Cause” shall mean, unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, (i) the Participant’s willful misconduct or gross

 

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negligence which materially and demonstrably results in financial harm to the Company; (ii) a material breach by the Participant of the Participant’s fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty to the Company or any affiliate which demonstrably results in financial harm to the Company; (iii) the Participant’s misappropriation of funds or other property of the Company or any Subsidiary or the plea of guilty by the Participant to or conviction of the Participant for the commission of a felony; or (iv) the conduct by the Participant which is a material violation of Company policy or which materially interferes with the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties.

 

(g)                                  “Change in Control” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(d).

 

(h)                                 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(i)                                     “Committee” shall mean a committee of the Board of Directors, which shall consist of two or more persons, each of whom shall qualify as an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and an “independent director” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual.

 

(j)                                    “Company” shall mean Rite Aid Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and, where appropriate, each of its Affiliates.

 

(k)                                 “Company Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $1.00 per share.

 

(l)                                     “Covered Associate” shall have the same meaning as the term “Covered Employee” as set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(m)                             “Effective Date” shall mean June 19, 2014.

 

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

 

(o)                                 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to a share of Company Stock, on a particular date (i) the closing price of Company Stock as quoted on the composite tape of the New York Stock Exchange and published in The Wall Street Journal with respect to such date, or if there is no trading of Company Stock on such date, such price on the next preceding date on which there was trading in such shares or (ii) if the shares of Stock are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the shares of Stock in such over-the-counter market for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Stock in such market, or (iii) if the shares of Stock are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an

 

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over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine in good faith using a reasonable method in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(p)                                 “Good Reason” shall have meaning set forth in the Participant’s employment agreement with the Company; and if no such agreement or definition exists, “Good Reason” shall not apply to the Participant unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement.

 

(q)                                 “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that qualifies as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, and which is designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(r)                                    “Nonqualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option other than an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(s)                                   “Option” shall mean an option to purchase shares of Company Stock granted pursuant to Section 7.

 

(t)                                    “Other Award” shall mean an Award granted pursuant to Section 11 hereof.

 

(u)                                 “Participant” shall mean an associate, non-employee director or consultant of the Company to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(v)                                 “Phantom Unit” shall mean the right, granted pursuant to Section 9, to receive in cash or shares the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock or, in the case of an Award denominated in cash, to receive the amount of cash per unit that is determined by the Committee in connection with the Award.

 

(w)                               “Prior Equity Plans” shall mean, collectively, the Rite Aid Corporation 1999 Stock Option Plan, the Rite Aid Corporation 2000 Omnibus Equity Plan, the Rite Aid Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan, the Rite Aid Corporation 2004 Omnibus Equity Plan, the Rite Aid Corporation 2006 Omnibus Equity Plan, the Rite Aid Corporation 2010 Omnibus Equity Plan and the Rite Aid Corporation 2012 Omnibus Equity Plan.

 

(x)                                 “Qualifying Termination” shall mean a termination of employment by the Company other than for Cause or by the Participant with Good Reason.

 

(y)                                 “Restricted Stock” shall mean a share of Company Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms of Section 8 hereof and which is subject to restrictions as set forth in Section 8(d).

 

(z)                                  “Retirement” shall mean the participant’s voluntary termination of employment with the Company after having attained age sixty (60) or

 

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having completed five (5) years of current, continuous service with the Company (measured from the Participant’s most recent first day of employment with the Company), whichever is later.

 

(aa)                          “Rule 16b-3” shall mean the Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time.

 

(bb)                          “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

(cc)                            “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean the right to receive, upon exercise of the right, the applicable amounts as described in Section 8.

 

(dd)                          “Stock Bonus” shall mean a bonus payable in shares of Company Stock granted pursuant to Section 10.

 

(ee)                            “Subsidiary” shall mean a “subsidiary corporation” of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

3.  Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

(a)                                 Shares Available for Awards; Individual Limitations.  The maximum number of shares of Company Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be 58,000,000 shares plus any shares of Common Stock remaining available for grant under the Rite Aid Corporation 2010 Omnibus Equity Plan and the Rite Aid Corporation 2012 Omnibus Equity Plan as of the effective date of the 2014 Plan (in each case, subject to adjustment as provided by Section 3(b)), provided that no more than 25,000,000 shares may be granted as Incentive Stock Options. Any shares granted in connection with Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as one (1) share for every one (1) Option or Stock Appreciation Right awarded. Any shares granted in connection with Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as 1.45 shares for every one (1) share granted in connection with such Award or by which the Award is valued. Such shares may be authorized but unissued shares of Company Stock or authorized and issued shares of Company Stock held in the Company’s treasury. In addition, the number of shares of Company Stock that are subject to awards as of the Effective Date under the Prior Equity Plans that, in the future, are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered or terminate (in each case, other than due to the expiration of Options on the expiration date of such Options) under the Prior Equity Plans without a distribution of shares to the Participant, shall be added to the number of shares available for grant under the Plan. Upon the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company, no further awards shall be made under the Prior Equity Plans. The aggregate Awards granted during any fiscal year to any single individual who is likely to be a Covered Associate shall

 

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not exceed (i) 6,000,000 shares of Company Stock subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (ii) 6,000,000 shares of Company Stock subject to Restricted Stock, Phantom Unit or Other Awards, or (iii) with respect to any Award denominated in cash, $10,000,000 for such fiscal year (including with respect to each fiscal year within a performance period of more than one fiscal year), in each case subject to adjustment as provided herein. Determinations made in respect of the limitation set forth in the preceding sentence shall be made in a manner consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(b)                                 Adjustment for Change in Capitalization.  In the event that any special or extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution is declared (whether in the form of cash, Company Stock, or other property), or there occurs any recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, share exchange or other similar corporate transaction or event, the Committee shall adjust, as it deems necessary or appropriate, (1) the number and kind of shares of stock which may thereafter be issued in connection with Awards, (2) the number and kind of shares of stock or other property, including cash, issued or issuable in respect of outstanding Awards, (3) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award, and (4) the limitations set forth in Section 3(a); provided that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, such adjustment shall be made in accordance with Section 424 of the Code, and provided further that no such adjustment shall cause any Award hereunder which is or becomes subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to comply with the requirements of such section.

 

(c)                                  Reuse of Shares.  If any shares subject to an Award are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered or if an Award otherwise terminates or expires without a distribution of shares to the Participant, the shares of Company Stock with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration, again be available for Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares of Stock that are exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company as full or partial payment in connection with any Award under the Plan, as well as any shares of Stock exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company or any Subsidiary to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any Award under the Plan, shall not be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan, and notwithstanding that a Stock Appreciation Right is settled by the delivery of a net number of shares of Company Stock, the full number of shares of Company Stock underlying such Stock Appreciation Right shall not be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan. Upon the exercise of any Award granted in tandem with any other Awards, such related Awards shall be cancelled to the extent of the number of shares of Stock as to which the Award is exercised and, notwithstanding the foregoing, such number of shares shall no longer be available for Awards under the Plan. In addition,

 

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(i) to the extent an Award is paid or settled in cash, the number of shares of Company Stock with respect to which such payment or settlement is made shall again be available for grants of Awards pursuant to the Plan and (ii) Shares of Company Stock underlying Awards that can only be settled in cash shall not be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Company Stock available for Awards under the Plan.

 

(d)                                 Effect of Plans Operated by Acquired Companies.  If a company acquired by the Company or any subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of the pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio used in such acquisition or combination to determine the relative value of the acquired company’s stock or to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the acquired company) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the shares authorized for grant under the Plan. Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employees or non-employee directors of the Company prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

4.  Administration of the Plan.

 

(a)                                 The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have the authority in its sole discretion, subject to and not inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan, to administer the Plan and to exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically granted to it under the Plan or necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, the authority to grant Awards; to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which Awards shall be granted; to determine the type and number of Awards to be granted, the number of shares of Company Stock or cash or other property to which an Award may relate and the terms, conditions, restrictions and performance criteria relating to any Award; to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled, cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered; to determine whether an Award may be settled in cash and/or shares of Company Stock; to construe and interpret the Plan and any Award; to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; to determine the terms and provisions of Agreements; and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, without amendment to the Plan, (a) accelerate the date on which any Option or Stock Appreciation Right becomes exercisable, (b) waive or amend the operation of Plan provisions respecting exercise

 

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after termination of employment (provided that the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may not be extended beyond ten years from the date of grant or the original term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, if less), (c) accelerate the vesting date, or waive any condition imposed hereunder, with respect to any share of Restricted Stock, Phantom Unit, Stock Bonus or Other Award, and (d) otherwise adjust any of the terms applicable to any such Award in a manner consistent with the terms of the Plan and applicable law. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the powers and authority of the Committee shall be exercised by the Board of Directors in the case of Awards made to non-employee directors. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, except with respect to Awards made to non-employee directors or Awards made with respect to no more than 5% of the aggregate shares of Company Stock authorized under the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), unless otherwise provided by the Committee, Awards made pursuant to Sections 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12 of the Plan that vest solely upon the continued employment or service of the Participant may not become fully vested prior to the third anniversary of the date upon which such Award is granted.

 

(b)                                 The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan or any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.

 

(c)                                  To the extent permitted by applicable law or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, the Board of Directors or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board, or to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Section 4; provided, however, that in no event shall such individuals be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (b) Covered Employees with respect to Awards intended to constitute Performance-Based Compensation, or (c) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under Section 162(m) of the Code and applicable securities laws or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board of Directors or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Board of Directors or Committee, as the case may be, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee.

 

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5.  Eligibility.

 

The persons who shall be eligible to receive Awards pursuant to the Plan shall be such associates of the Company (including officers of the Company, whether or not they are directors of the Company), consultants to the Company and non-employee directors of the Company, in each case as the Committee (or, in the case of non-employee directors, the Board of Directors) shall select from time to time. The grant of an Award hereunder in any year to any associate, non-employee director or consultant shall not entitle such person to a grant of an Award in any future year.

 

6.  Awards Under the Plan; Agreement.

 

The Committee may grant Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Phantom Units, Stock Bonuses and Other Awards in such amounts and with such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan. Each Award granted under the Plan (except an unconditional Stock Bonus) shall be evidenced by an Agreement which shall contain such provisions as the Committee may in its sole discretion deem necessary or desirable and which are not in conflict with the terms of the Plan. By accepting an Award, a Participant shall be deemed to agree that the Award shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement.

 

7.  Options.

 

(a)                                 Identification of Options.  Each Option shall be clearly identified in the applicable Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option. All Options shall be non-transferable, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or except as otherwise determined by the Committee for estate planning purposes with respect to a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

(b)                                 Exercise Price.  Each Agreement with respect to an Option shall set forth the amount per share (the “option exercise price”) payable by the Participant to the Company upon exercise of the Option. The option exercise price shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date of grant. Other than with respect to an adjustment described in Section 3, in no event shall the option exercise price be reduced following the grant of an Option, nor shall an Option be cancelled in exchange for a replacement Option with a lower exercise price or in exchange for another type of Award or cash payment without stockholder approval. In addition, the Committee shall not have the authority to grant an Option which provides that the Participant will be granted a new Option (sometimes referred to as a “reload option”) for a number of shares equal to the number of shares surrendered by the Participant upon exercise of all or a part of the original Option.

 

(c)                                  Term and Exercise of Options.

 

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(i)                                     Each Option shall become exercisable at the time determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement. At the time of grant of an Option, the Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions to the exercisability of the Option as it, in its absolute discretion, deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, achievement of performance goals including goals based on one or more Business Criteria. Subject to Section 7(d) hereof, the Committee shall determine and set forth in the applicable Agreement the expiration date of each Option, which shall be no later than the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of the Option.

 

(ii)                                  An Option shall be exercised by delivering the form of notice of exercise provided by the Company. Payment for shares of Company Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option shall be made on the effective date of such exercise by one or a combination of the following means: (A) in cash or by personal check, certified check, bank cashier’s check or wire transfer; (B) in shares of Company Stock owned by the Participant and valued at their Fair Market Value on the effective date of such exercise; (C) by withholding shares of Company Stock otherwise deliverable upon exercise of an Option; or (D) by any such other methods (including broker assisted cashless exercise) as the Committee may from time to time authorize; provided, however, that in the case of a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the method of making such payment shall be in compliance with applicable law. Except as authorized by the Committee, any payment in shares of Company Stock shall be effected by the delivery of such shares to the Secretary of the Company, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by stock powers duly executed in blank, together with any other documents and evidences as the Secretary of the Company shall require. If the Committee decides that payment will be made in shares of Company Stock, and the amount payable results in a fractional share, payment for the fractional share will be made in cash.

 

(iii)                               Certificates for shares of Company Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of or for the account of the Participant or other person entitled to receive such shares, and delivered to the Participant or such other person as soon as practicable following the effective date on which the Option is exercised.

 

(d)                                 Provisions Relating to Incentive Stock Options.  Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to associates of the Company and its Affiliates, in accordance with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of Company Stock with

 

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respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and any other stock option plan of the Company or a Subsidiary shall exceed $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 7(d), Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the date on which each such Incentive Stock Option is granted. No Incentive Stock Option may be granted to an individual if, at the time of the proposed grant, such individual owns (or is deemed to own under the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company unless (A) the exercise price of such Incentive Stock Option is at least one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted and (B) such Incentive Stock Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

 

(e)                                  Effect of Termination of Employment (or Provision of Services).  In the event that the employment of a Participant with the Company (or the Participant’s service to the Company) shall terminate for any reason other than (i) Cause, (ii) death or (iii) disability or Retirement, each Option granted to such Participant, to the extent that it is exercisable at the time of such termination, shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant as set forth in the applicable Agreement, remain exercisable for the 90 day period following such termination, but in no event following the expiration of its term. Each Option that remains unexercisable as of the date of such a termination shall be terminated at the time of such termination, except as may be otherwise determined by the Committee. In the event that the employment of a Participant with the Company (or the Participant’s service to the Company) shall terminate on account of the death of the Participant, each Option granted to such Participant that is outstanding as of the date of death shall become fully exercisable and shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant as set forth in the applicable Agreement, remain exercisable by the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs or legatees for the one year period following such termination, but in no event following the expiration of its term. In the event that the employment of a Participant with the Company (or the Participant’s service to the Company) shall terminate on account of the disability or Retirement of the Participant (in each case as determined by the Committee), each Option granted to such Participant that is outstanding and vested as of the date of such termination shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant as set forth in the applicable Agreement, remain exercisable by the Participant (or such Participant’s legal representatives) for the one year period following such termination, but in no event following the expiration of its term. Each Option that remains unexercisable as of the date of a termination due to disability or Retirement shall be terminated at the time of such termination (except as may be otherwise determined by

 

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the Committee). In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment for Cause, each outstanding Option granted to such Participant shall terminate at the commencement of business on the date of such termination.

 

(f)                                   Leave of Absence.  In the case of any Participant on an approved leave of absence, the Committee may make such provision respecting the continuance of the Option while in the employ or service of the Company as it may deem equitable, except that in no event may an Option be exercised after the expiration of its term.

 

8.  Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a)                                 A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in connection with an Option, either at the time of grant or, with respect to a Nonqualified Stock Option, at any time thereafter during the term of the Option, or may be granted unrelated to an Option. At the time of grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions to the exercisability of the Stock Appreciation Right as it, in its absolute discretion, deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, achievement of performance goals including goals based on one or more Business Criteria. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right granted without relationship to an Option shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant. In addition, the exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date of grant.

 

(b)                                 A Stock Appreciation Right related to an Option shall require the holder, upon exercise, to surrender such Option with respect to the number of shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, in order to receive payment of any amount computed pursuant to Section 8(d). Such Option will, to the extent surrendered, then cease to be exercisable.

 

(c)                                  Subject to Section 8(i) and to such rules and restrictions as the Committee may impose, a Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option will be exercisable at such time or times, and only to the extent that a related Option is exercisable. All Stock Appreciation Rights shall be non-transferable (except to the extent that such related Option may be transferable), except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or except as otherwise determined by the Committee for estate planning purposes.

 

(d)                                 Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right whether related or unrelated to an Option, the holder will be entitled to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying:

 

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(i)                                     the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date of exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right, by

 

(ii)                                  the number of shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

 

(e)                                  Notwithstanding subsection (d) above, the Committee may place a limitation on the amount payable upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right. Any such limitation must be determined as of the date of grant and noted in the applicable Agreement.

 

(f)                                   Payment of the amount determined under subsection (d) above may be made solely in whole shares of Company Stock valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right or alternatively, in the sole discretion of the Committee, solely in cash or a combination of cash and shares. Except as authorized by the Committee, any payment in shares of Company Stock shall be effected by the delivery of such shares to the Secretary of the Company, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by stock powers duly executed in blank, together with any other documents and evidences as the Secretary of the Company shall require. If the Committee decides that payment will be made in shares of Company Stock, and the amount payable results in a fractional share, payment for the fractional share will be made in cash.

 

(g)                                  Other than with respect to an adjustment described in Section 3, in no event shall the exercise price with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right be reduced following the grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, nor shall a Stock Appreciation Right be cancelled in exchange for a replacement Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price or in exchange for another type of Award or cash payment without stockholder approval.

 

(h)                                 In the event that the employment of a Participant with the Company (or the Participant’s service to the Company) shall terminate for any reason other than (i) Cause, (ii) death or (iii) disability or Retirement, each Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant, to the extent that it is exercisable at the time of such termination, shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant as set forth in the applicable Agreement, remain exercisable for the 90 day period following such termination, but in no event following the expiration of its term. Any Stock Appreciation Right that is not exercisable as of the date of such a termination shall be terminated at the time of such termination (except as may be otherwise determined by the Committee). In the event that the employment of a Participant with the Company (or the Participant’s service to the Company) shall terminate on account of the death of the Participant, each Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant that is outstanding as of the date of death shall become fully exercisable and

 

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shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant as set forth in the applicable Agreement, remain exercisable by the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs or legatees for the one year period following such termination, but in no event following the expiration of its term. In the event that the employment of a Participant with the Company (or the Participant’s service to the Company) shall terminate on account of the disability or Retirement of the Participant (in each case as determined by the Committee), each Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant that is outstanding and vested as of the date of such termination shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant as set forth in the applicable Agreement, remain exercisable by the Participant (or such Participant’s legal representatives) for the one year period following such termination, but in no event following the expiration of its term. Each Stock Appreciation Right that remains unexercisable as of the date of a termination due to disability or Retirement shall be terminated at the time of such termination (except as may be otherwise determined by the Committee). In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment for Cause, each outstanding Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant shall terminate at the commencement of business on the date of such termination.

 

(i)                                     Leave of Absence.  In the case of any Participant on an approved leave of absence, the Committee may make such provision respecting the continuance of the Stock Appreciation Right while in the employ or service of the Company as it may deem equitable, except that in no event may a Stock Appreciation Right be exercised after the expiration of its term.

 

9.  Restricted Stock.

 

(a)                                 Price.  At the time of the grant of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall determine the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for each share of Restricted Stock subject to the Award.

 

(b)                                 Vesting Date.  At the time of the grant of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall establish a vesting date or vesting dates with respect to such shares. The Committee may divide such shares into classes and assign a different vesting date for each class. Provided that all conditions to the vesting of a share of Restricted Stock are satisfied, and subject to Section 9(h), upon the occurrence of the vesting date with respect to a share of Restricted Stock, such share shall vest and the restrictions of Section 9(d) shall lapse.

 

(c)                                  Conditions to Vesting.  At the time of the grant of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions to the vesting of such shares as it, in its absolute discretion, deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, achievement of performance goals including goals based on one or more Business Criteria. The Committee may also

 

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provide that the vesting or forfeiture of shares of Restricted Stock may be based upon the achievement of, or failure to achieve, certain levels of performance and may provide for partial vesting of Restricted Stock in the event that the maximum level of performance is not met if the minimum level of performance has been equaled or exceeded. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9(c) to the contrary, unless otherwise provided by the Committee pursuant to Section 9(h) or Section 14, Restricted Stock which vests based on achievement of performance goals or levels of performance may not become fully vested prior to the first anniversary of the date upon which such Restricted Stock is granted.

 

(d)                                 Restrictions on Transfer Prior to Vesting.  Prior to the vesting of a share of Restricted Stock, such Restricted Stock may not be transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of, and no transfer of a Participant’s rights with respect to such Restricted Stock, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, shall be permitted. Immediately upon any attempt to transfer such rights, such shares, and all of the rights related thereto, shall be forfeited by the Participant.

 

(e)                                  Dividends on Restricted Stock.  The Committee in its discretion may require that any dividends paid on shares of Restricted Stock be held in escrow until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed.

 

(f)                                   Issuance of Certificates.  The Committee may, upon such terms and conditions as it determines, provide that (1) a certificate or certificates representing the shares underlying a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the Participant’s name and bear an appropriate legend specifying that such shares are not transferable and are subject to the provisions of the Plan and the restrictions, terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Agreement, (2) such certificate or certificates shall be held in escrow by the Company on behalf of the Participant until such shares become vested or are forfeited or (3) the Participant’s ownership of the Restricted Stock shall be registered by the Company in book entry form.

 

(g)                                  Consequences of Vesting.  Upon the vesting of a share of Restricted Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, the restrictions of Section 9(d) shall lapse with respect to such share. Following the date on which a share of Restricted Stock vests, the Company shall, as determined by the Committee, make a book entry record of such share or cause to be delivered to the Participant to whom such shares were granted, a certificate evidencing such share, which may bear a restrictive legend, if the Committee determines such a legend to be appropriate.

 

(h)                                 Effect of Termination of Employment (or Provision of Services).  Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable Agreement, and subject to the Committee’s authority under Section 4 hereof, upon the termination of a Participant’s employment (or upon cessation of such Participant’s services to the Company) for any reason, any and all shares to which restrictions on

 

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transferability apply shall be immediately forfeited by the Participant and transferred to, and reacquired by, the Company. In the event of a forfeiture of shares pursuant to this section, the Company shall repay to the Participant (or the Participant’s estate) any amount paid by the Participant for such shares. In the event that the Company requires a return of shares, it shall also have the right to require the return of all dividends paid on such shares, whether by termination of any escrow arrangement under which such dividends are held or otherwise.

 

10.  Phantom Units.

 

(a)                                 Vesting Date.  At the time of the grant of Phantom Units, the Committee shall establish a vesting date or vesting dates with respect to such units. The Committee may divide such units into classes and assign a different vesting date for each class. Provided that all conditions to the vesting of the Phantom Units imposed pursuant to Section 10(c) are satisfied, and subject to Section 10(d), upon the occurrence of the vesting date with respect to the Phantom Units, such units shall vest.

 

(b)                                 Benefit Upon Vesting.  Unless otherwise provided in an Agreement, upon the vesting of Phantom Units, the Participant shall be paid, within 30 days of the date on which such units vest, an amount, in cash and/or shares of Company Stock, as determined by the Committee. In the case of Awards denominated in shares of Company Stock, the amount per Phantom Unit shall be equal to the sum of (1) the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date on which such Phantom Units vest and (2) the aggregate amount of cash dividends paid with respect to a share of Company Stock during the period commencing on the date on which the Phantom Units were granted and terminating on the date on which such units vest. In the case of Awards denominated in cash, the amount per Phantom Unit shall be equal to the cash value of the Phantom Unit on the date on which such Phantom Units vest.

 

(c)                                  Conditions to Vesting.  At the time of the grant of Phantom Units, the Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions to the vesting of such units as it, in its absolute discretion, deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, achievement of performance goals including goals based on one or more Business Criteria. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10(c) to the contrary, unless otherwise provided by the Committee pursuant to Section 10(d) or Section 14, Phantom Units which vest based on achievement of performance goals may not become fully vested prior to the first anniversary of the date upon which such Phantom Units are granted.

 

(d)                                 Effect of Termination of Employment (or Provision of Services).  Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable Agreement, and subject to the Committee’s authority under to Section 4 hereof, Phantom Units that have not vested, together with any dividend equivalents deemed to have been

 

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credited with respect to such unvested units, shall be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of employment (or upon cessation of such Participant’s services to the Company) for any reason.

 

11.  Stock Bonuses.

 

In the event that the Committee grants a Stock Bonus, a certificate for the shares of Company Stock constituting such Stock Bonus shall be issued in the name of the Participant to whom such grant was made and delivered to such Participant as soon as practicable after the date on which such Stock Bonus is payable, or, as determined by the Committee, the Company shall make a book entry record of such share.

 

12.  Other Awards, Including Cash-Based and Other Stock-Based Awards.

 

Other forms of Awards (“Other Awards”) valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Company Stock, including but not limited to dividend equivalents or cash incentive awards, may be granted either alone or in addition to other Awards (other than in connection with Options or Stock Appreciation Rights) under the Plan. Any dividend or dividend equivalent awarded under the Plan shall be subject to the same restrictions, conditions and risks of forfeiture as the underlying Award. Cash incentive awards may be denominated in units that have a dollar value established by the Committee as of the date of grant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Awards shall be granted, the number of shares of Company Stock to be granted pursuant to such Other Awards, or the manner in which such Other Awards shall be settled (e.g., in shares of Company Stock or cash), or the conditions to the vesting and/or payment or settlement of such Other Awards (which may include, but not be limited to, achievement of performance goals including goals based on one or more Business Criteria) and all other terms and conditions of such Other Awards. If a cash incentive award is not by its terms exempt from Code Section 409A, then the applicable Agreement shall contain terms and conditions intended to avoid adverse tax consequences specified in Code Section 409A.

 

13.  Special Provisions Regarding Certain Awards.

 

The Committee may make Awards hereunder to Covered Associates (or to individuals whom the Committee believes may become Covered Associates) that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. The exercisability and/or payment of such Awards may be subject to the achievement of performance goals based upon one or more Business Criteria and to certification of such achievement in writing by the Committee. Such performance goals shall be established in writing by the Committee not later than the time period prescribed under Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder. The Committee may adjust the applicable Business Criteria as specified in Section 2(e), and in connection with an event described in Section 3(b) to the extent permitted by Section 162(m) to prevent the dilution or enlargement of a Participant’s rights with respect to Awards. The Committee may adjust downward, but not upward, any amount determined to be otherwise payable with respect to such an Award. The Committee may also provide, in an Agreement or

 

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otherwise, that the achievement of specified performance goals in connection with an Award described in this Section 13 may be waived upon death or disability or under any other circumstance with respect to which the possible waiver will not cause the Award to fail to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m). All provisions of such Awards which are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation shall be construed in a manner to so comply.

 

14.  Change in Control Provisions.

 

(a)                                 Unless otherwise provided by the Committee or in the applicable Award Agreement, and subject to Section 3(b), in the event of a Change in Control:

 

(i)                                     With respect to each outstanding Award that is assumed or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, in the event of a Qualifying Termination of a Participant’s employment or service during the 24-month period following such Change of Control, (i) such Award shall become fully vested and exercisable, (ii) the restrictions, payment conditions, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any such Award granted shall lapse, and (iii) and any performance conditions imposed with respect to such Award shall be deemed to be achieved at target performance levels.

 

(ii)                                  With respect to each outstanding Award that is not assumed or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, immediately upon the occurrence of the Change of Control, (i) such Award shall become fully vested and exercisable, (ii) the restrictions, payment conditions, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any such Award granted shall lapse, and (iii) and any performance conditions imposed with respect to such Award shall be deemed to be achieved at target performance levels.

 

(iii)                               For purposes of this Section 14, an Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if, following the Change in Control, (A) the Award is of comparable value and remains subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control except that, if the Award related to shares of Common Stock, the Award instead confers the right to receive common stock of the acquiring or ultimate parent entity and (B) the securities of the acquiring or ultimate parent entity underlying the Award after such assumption or substitution are freely tradable on a domestic stock exchange or the NASDAQ.

 

(iv)                              Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control, except as would otherwise result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code, the Committee

 

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may, in its discretion, provide that each Award shall, immediately upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, be cancelled in exchange for a payment in cash or securities in an amount equal to (i) the excess of the consideration paid per share of Common Stock in the Change in Control over the exercise or purchase price (if any) per share of Company Stock subject to the Award multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Company Stock granted under the Award. If the amount determined pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence is zero, such Award may be cancelled pursuant to this Section 14(a) without payment of any consideration to the affected Participant. The Committee shall not be required to treat all Awards similarly for purposes of this Section 14(a). Payment of amounts under this Section 14(a) shall be made in such form, on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Committee determines in its discretion, which may or may not be the same as the form, terms and conditions applicable to payments to the Company’s stockholders in connection with the Change in Control and may, in the Committee’s discretion, include subjecting such payments to vesting conditions comparable to the Awards surrendered, subjecting such payments to escrow or holdback provisions comparable to those imposed upon the Company’s stockholders in connection with the Change in Control, or calculating and paying the present value of payments that would otherwise be subject to escrow or holdback terms.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, for each Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, if required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the payment or settlement of such Award under the Plan only if a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in effective control of the corporation” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(c)                                  The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.

 

(d)                                 A “Change in Control” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred, as the result of a single transaction or a series of transactions, if the events set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

 

(i)                                     Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more

 

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of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;

 

(ii)           Incumbent Directors cease at any time and for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving on the Board. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either are directors of the Company as of the Effective Date or are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors to the Board;

 

(iii)          There is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than (A) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent, either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately alter such merger or consolidation, or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company or similar transaction in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or

 

(iv)          The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated of an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 60% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

 

(e)                                  “Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

(f)                                   “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, except that a Person shall not be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of any securities which are properly filed on a Form 13G.

 

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

 

(h)                                 “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3a9 of the Exchange Act as modified and used in Sections 13d and 14d thereof, except, that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of the Company.

 

15.  Rights as a Stockholder.

 

No person shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Company Stock covered by or relating to any Award until the date of record issuance of such shares of Company Stock in the books of the Company or the issuance of a stock certificate with respect to such shares. Except for adjustments provided in Section 3(b), no adjustment to any Award shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date occurs prior to the date such book entry is made or stock certificate is issued.

 

16.  No Employment Rights; No Right to Award.

 

Nothing contained in the Plan or any Agreement shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to the continuation of employment by or provision of services to the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company, subject to the terms of any separate agreement to the contrary, at any time to terminate such employment or service or to increase or decrease the compensation of the Participant. No person shall have any claim or right to receive an Award hereunder. The Committee’s granting of an Award to a Participant at any time shall neither require the Committee to grant any other Award to such Participant or other person at any time nor preclude the Committee from making subsequent grants to such Participant or any other person.

 

17.  Securities Matters and Regulations.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the obligation of the Company to sell or deliver Company Stock with respect to any Award granted under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including all applicable federal and state securities laws, and the obtaining of all such approvals by governmental agencies as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. The Committee may require, as a condition of the issuance and delivery of certificates evidencing shares of Company Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, that the recipient of such shares make such agreements and representations, and that such certificates bear such legends, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable.

 

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(b)                                 Each Award is subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Committee determines, in its absolute discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of Company Stock issuable pursuant to the Plan is required by any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the grant of an Award or the issuance of Company Stock, no such Award shall be granted or payment made or Company Stock issued, in whole or in part, unless listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval has been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

 

(c)                                  In the event that the disposition of Company Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan is not covered by a then current registration statement under the Securities Act and is not otherwise exempt from such registration, such Company Stock shall be restricted against transfer to the extent required by the Securities Act or regulations thereunder, and the Committee may require a Participant receiving Company Stock pursuant to the Plan, as a condition precedent to receipt of such Company Stock, to represent to the Company in writing that the Company Stock acquired by such Participant is acquired for investment only and not with a view to distribution.

 

18.  Withholding Taxes.

 

Whenever cash is to be paid pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to deduct therefrom an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements related thereto. Whenever shares of Company Stock are to be delivered pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements related thereto. With the approval of the Committee, a Participant may satisfy the foregoing requirement by electing to have the Company withhold from delivery shares of Company Stock having a value equal to the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld. Such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash. Such a withholding election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the shares to be delivered pursuant to an Award.

 

19.  Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code.

 

If any Participant shall, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Company Stock under the Plan, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company of such election within 10 days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

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20.  Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code.

 

Each Agreement with respect to an Incentive Stock Option shall require the Participant to notify the Company of any disposition of shares of Company Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of such Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), within 10 days of such disposition.

 

21.  Amendment or Termination of the Plan.

 

The Board of Directors may, at any time, suspend or terminate the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever; provided, however, that stockholder approval shall be required for any such amendment if and to the extent such approval is required in order to comply with applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. Nothing herein shall restrict the Committee’s ability to exercise its discretionary authority pursuant to Sections 3 and 4, which discretion may be exercised without amendment to the Plan. No action hereunder may, without the consent of a Participant, reduce the Participant’s rights under any outstanding Award.

 

22.  Transfers Upon Death.

 

Upon the death of a Participant, outstanding Awards granted to such Participant may be exercised only by the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or by a person who shall have acquired the right to such exercise by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No transfer of an Award by will or the laws of descent and distribution shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Committee shall have been furnished with (a) written notice thereof and with a copy of the will and/or such evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and (b) an agreement by the transferee to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Award that are or would have been applicable to the Participant and to be bound by the acknowledgments made by the Participant in connection with the grant of the Award.

 

23.  Expenses and Receipts.

 

The expenses of the Plan shall be paid by the Company. Any proceeds received by the Company in connection with any Award may be used for general corporate purposes.

 

24.  Effective Date and Term of Plan.

 

The Plan shall be subject to the requisite approval of the stockholders of the Company. In the absence of such approval, any Awards shall be null and void. Unless earlier terminated by the Board of Directors, the right to grant Awards under the Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Awards outstanding at Plan termination shall remain in effect according to their terms and the provisions of the Plan.

 

25.  Participant Rights.

 

No Participant shall have any claim to be granted any award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment for Participants.

 

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26.  Unfunded Status of Awards.

 

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Agreement shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.

 

27.  No Fractional Shares.

 

No fractional shares of Company Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to 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.

 

28.  Beneficiary.

 

A Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of a beneficiary on such form as may be prescribed by the Committee and may, from time to time, amend or revoke such designation. If no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate shall be deemed to be the Participant’s beneficiary.

 

29.  Paperless Administration.

 

In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

 

30.  Severability.

 

If any provision of the Plan is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the other provisions of the Plan shall not be affected but shall be applied as if the invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan.

 

31.  Applicable Law.

 

Except to the extent preempted by any applicable federal law, the Plan shall be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without reference to its principles of conflicts of law.

 

32.  Section 409A Compliance.

 

The Plan as well as payments and benefits under the Plan are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and be administered to be in compliance therewith. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, the Participant shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of the Plan and no payment shall be due to the Participant under the Plan or any Award until the Participant would be considered to

 

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have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent that any Awards are payable upon a separation from service and such payment would result in the imposition of any individual tax and penalty interest charges imposed under Section 409A of the Code, the settlement and payment of such awards shall instead be made on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following such separation from service (or death, if earlier).

 

33.  Forfeiture and Compensation Recovery.

 

(a)                                 The Committee may specify in an Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award will be subject to reduction, cancellation or forfeiture or recovery by the Company upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of the Award. Such events may include termination of employment or service for Cause, violation of material Company policies, breach of noncompetition or other restrictive covenants that apply to the Participant, a determination that the payment of the Award was based on an incorrect determination that financial or other criteria were met or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates.

 

(b)                                 Awards and any payments or compensation associated therewith may be made subject to forfeiture or recovery by the Company or other action pursuant to any compensation recovery policy adopted by the Board or the Committee at any time, including in response to requirements of Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any implementing rules and regulations thereunder, or as otherwise required by law. Any Agreement may be unilaterally amended by the Committee to comply with such compensation or recovery policy.

 

*            *            *

 

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