Exhibit 10.2

 

PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION, INC.

2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Adopted by the Board on October 13, 2011

 











 

1.             ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE

 

The Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on October 13, 2011 and shall be effective as of the date of the initial offering of Stock to the public pursuant to a registration statement filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Effective Date”). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, directors and other key persons (including consultants and prospective employees) of Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (the “Company”), upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business, to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders, thereby motivating their efforts on the Company’s behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.

 

2.             DEFINITIONS

 

The following terms, when used in the Plan, will have the meanings and be subject to the provisions set forth below:

 

“Administrator”:  The Board, except that the Board may delegate (i) to one or more of its members such of its duties, powers and responsibilities as it may determine; (ii) to such Employees or other persons as it determines such ministerial tasks as it deems appropriate; and (iii) to the compensation committee of the Board, if the Board shall have constituted such a committee, some or all of its powers with respect to the Plan, in which event, except as the context otherwise clearly requires, all references in this Plan to the Board shall be deemed to refer to the compensation committee.  In the event of any delegation described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence, the term “Administrator” shall include the person or persons so delegated to the extent of such delegation.

 

“Affiliate”: a “parent” or “subsidiary” (as each is defined in Section 424 of the Code) of the Company and other entity that the Board or Administrator designates as an “Affiliate” for purposes of this Plan.

 

“Award”:  Any or a combination of the following:

 

(i) Stock Options.

 

(ii) Restricted Stock.

 

(iii) Unrestricted Stock, or stock not subject to any restrictions under the terms of the Award.

 

(iv) Stock Units, including Restricted Stock Units.

 

(v) Performance Awards.

 

(vi) Awards (other than Awards described in (i) through (v) above) that are convertible into or otherwise based on Stock.

 

2











 

“Board”:  The Board of Directors of the Company.

 

“Code”:  The U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as from time to time amended and in effect, or any successor statute as from time to time in effect.

 

“Company”:  Precision Optics Corporation, Inc.

 

“Covered Transaction”:  Any of (i) a consolidation, merger, or similar transaction or series of related transactions, including a sale or other disposition of stock, in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or which results in the acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company’s then outstanding common stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert, (ii) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets, or (iii) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company.  Where a Covered Transaction involves a tender offer that is reasonably expected to be followed by a merger described in clause (i) (as determined by the Administrator), the Covered Transaction shall be deemed to have occurred upon consummation of the tender offer.

 

“Employee”:  Any person who is employed by the Company or an Affiliate.

 

“Employment”:  A Participant’s employment or other service relationship with the Company and its Affiliates.  Employment will be deemed to continue, unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, so long as the Participant is employed by, or otherwise is providing services in a capacity described in Section 5 to the Company or its Affiliates.  If a Participant’s employment or other service relationship is with an Affiliate and that entity ceases to be an Affiliate, the Participant’s Employment will be deemed to have terminated when the entity ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant transfers Employment to the Company or its remaining Affiliates.

 

“Participant”:  A person who is granted an Award under the Plan.

 

“Performance Award”:  An Award subject to Performance Criteria.  The Administrator in its discretion may grant Performance Awards that are intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) and Performance Awards that are not intended so to qualify.

 

“Performance Criteria”:  Specified criteria, other than the mere continuation of Employment or the mere passage of time, the satisfaction of which is a condition for the grant, exercisability, vesting or full enjoyment of an Award.  For purposes of Awards that are intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m), a Performance Criterion will mean an objectively determinable measure of performance relating to any or any combination of the following (measured either absolutely or by reference to an index or indices and determined either on a consolidated basis or, as the context permits, on a divisional, subsidiary, line of business, project or geographical basis or in combinations thereof): sales; revenues; assets; expenses; earnings before or after deduction for all or any portion of interest, taxes, depreciation, or amortization, whether or not on a continuing operations or an aggregate or per share basis; return on equity, investment, capital or assets; one or more operating ratios; borrowing levels, leverage ratios or credit rating; market share; capital expenditures; cash flow; stock price; stockholder return; sales of particular products or services; customer acquisition or retention; acquisitions and divestitures (in whole or in part); joint ventures and strategic alliances; spin-offs, split-ups and the like; reorganizations; or recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (issuance of debt or equity) or refinancings.  A Performance Criterion and any targets with respect thereto determined by the Administrator need not be based upon an increase, a positive or improved result or avoidance

 

3











 

of loss.  To the extent consistent with the requirements for satisfying the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m), the Administrator may provide in the case of any Award intended to qualify for such exception that one or more of the Performance Criteria applicable to such Award will be adjusted in an objectively determinable manner to reflect events (for example, but without limitation, acquisitions or dispositions) occurring during the performance period that affect the applicable Performance Criterion or Criteria.

 

“Plan”:  Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, as from time to time amended and in effect.

 

“Restricted Stock”:  Stock subject to restrictions requiring that it be redelivered or offered for sale to the Company if specified conditions are not satisfied.

 

“Restricted Stock Unit”:  A Stock Unit that is, or as to which the delivery of Stock or cash in lieu of Stock is, subject to the satisfaction of specified performance or other vesting conditions.

 

“Section 409A”:  Section 409A of the Code.

 

“Section 162(m)”:  Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

“Stock”:  Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

 

“Stock Option”:  An option entitling the holder to acquire shares of Stock upon payment of the exercise price.

 

“Stock Unit”:  An unfunded and unsecured promise, denominated in shares of Stock, to deliver Stock or cash measured by the value of Stock in the future.

 

3.             ADMINISTRATION

 

The Administrator has discretionary authority, subject only to the express provisions of the Plan, to interpret the Plan; determine eligibility for and grant Awards; determine, modify or waive the terms and conditions of any Award; prescribe forms, rules and procedures; and otherwise do all things necessary to carry out the purposes of the Plan.  In the case of any Award intended to be eligible for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m), the Administrator will exercise its discretion consistent with qualifying the Award for that exception.  Determinations of the Administrator made under the Plan will be conclusive and will bind all parties.

 

4.             LIMITS ON AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN

 

(a)           Number of Shares.  The number of shares of Stock available for delivery in satisfaction of Awards under the Plan shall be determined in accordance with this Section 4(a).

 

(1)  Subject to Section 7(b), the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be delivered in satisfaction of Awards under the Plan shall be 325,000 plus an automatic annual increase on the first business day of each fiscal year during the term of the Plan, beginning July 1, 2012, in an amount equal to 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of Stock on the last day of the immediately preceding year, or such lesser amount if so determined by the Board.

 

4











 

The number of shares of Stock delivered in satisfaction of Awards shall be the number of shares of Stock subject to an Award reduced by the number of shares of Stock (a) withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of the Award or, if elected by the Administrator, in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements with respect to the Award, or (b) awarded under the Plan as Restricted Stock but thereafter forfeited, or (c) made subject to an Award that is exercised or satisfied, or that terminates or expires, without the delivery of such shares.

 

(2)  To the extent consistent with the requirements of Section 422 and with other applicable legal requirements (including applicable stock exchange requirements), Stock issued under awards of an acquired company that are converted, replaced, or adjusted in connection with the acquisition shall not reduce the number of shares available for Awards under the Plan.

 

(b)           Type of Shares.  Stock delivered by the Company under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Stock or previously issued Stock acquired by the Company.  No fractional shares of Stock will be delivered under the Plan.

 

5.             ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

 

The Administrator will select Participants from among those key Employees and directors of, and consultants and advisors to, the Company or its Affiliates who, in the opinion of the Administrator, are in a position to make a significant contribution to the success of the Company and its Affiliates.

 

6.             RULES APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

 

(a)           All Awards

 

(1)  Award Provisions.  The Administrator will determine the terms of all Awards, subject to the limitations provided herein. By accepting (or, under such rules as the Administrator may prescribe, being deemed to have accepted) an Award, the Participant agrees to the terms of the Award and the Plan.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, awards of an acquired company that are converted, replaced or adjusted in connection with the acquisition may contain terms and conditions that are inconsistent with the terms and conditions specified herein, as determined by the Administrator.

 

(2)  Term of Plan.  No Awards may be made after October 14, 2021 but previously granted Awards may continue beyond that date in accordance with their terms.

 

(3)  Transferability.  Awards may be transferred during a Participant’s lifetime only on a gratuitous basis and then only to the extent, if any, determined and approved by the Administrator.

 

(4)  Vesting, Etc.   The Administrator may determine the time or times at which an Award will vest or become exercisable and the terms on which an Award requiring exercise will remain exercisable. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator may at any time accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Award,

 

5











 

regardless of any adverse or potentially adverse tax consequences resulting from such acceleration.  Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, however, the following rules will apply:  immediately upon the cessation of the Participant’s Employment, each Award requiring exercise that is then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, will cease to be exercisable and will terminate, and all other Awards that are then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, to the extent not already vested will be forfeited, except that:

 

(A)  subject to (B) and (C) below, all Stock Options held by the Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) a period of three months or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option could have been exercised without regard to this Section 6(a)(4), and will thereupon terminate;

 

(B)  all Stock Options held by a Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the Participant’s death, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) the one year period ending with the first anniversary of the Participant’s death or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option could have been exercised without regard to this Section 6(a)(4), and will thereupon terminate; and

 

(C)  all Stock Options held by a Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment will immediately terminate upon such cessation if the Administrator in its sole discretion determines that such cessation of Employment has resulted for reasons which cast such discredit on the Participant as to justify immediate termination of the Award.

 

(5)  Taxes.  The Administrator will make such provision for the withholding of taxes as it deems necessary.  The Administrator may, but need not, hold back shares of Stock from an Award or permit a Participant to tender previously owned shares of Stock in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements (but not in excess of the minimum withholding required by law).

 

(6)  Dividend Equivalents, Etc.  The Administrator may provide for the payment of amounts in lieu of cash dividends or other cash distributions with respect to Stock subject to an Award. Any entitlement to dividend equivalents or similar entitlements shall be established and administered consistent either with exemption from, or compliance with, the requirements of Section 409A to the extent applicable.

 

(7)  Rights Limited.  Nothing in the Plan will be construed as giving any person the right to continued employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates, or any rights as a stockholder except as to shares of Stock actually issued under the Plan.  The loss of existing or potential profit in Awards will not constitute an element of damages in the event of termination of Employment for any reason, even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or Affiliate to the Participant.

 

(8)  Section 162(m).  This Section 6(a)(8) applies to any Performance Award intended to qualify as performance-based for the purposes of Section 162(m) other than a Stock Option.  In the case of any Performance Award to which this Section 6(a)(8) applies, the Plan and such Award will be construed to the maximum extent permitted by law in a manner consistent with qualifying the Award for such exception. With respect to such Performance Awards, the Administrator will preestablish, in writing, one or more specific Performance Criteria no later than 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the

 

6











 

performance relates (or at such earlier time as is required to qualify the Award as performance-based under Section 162(m)).  Prior to grant, vesting or payment of the Performance Award, as the case may be, the Administrator will certify whether the applicable Performance Criteria have been attained and such determination will be final and conclusive.

 

(9)  Section 409A.  Except as the Administrator expressly determines in any case, each Award shall contain such terms, and shall be construed and administered, such that the Award either (i) qualifies for an exemption from the requirements of Section 409A, or (ii) satisfies such requirements.

 

(10)  Certain Requirements of Corporate Law.  Awards shall be granted and administered consistent with the applicable requirements of Massachusetts law relating to the issuance of stock and the consideration to be received therefor and with the applicable requirements of Nasdaq (if, at such time, the Company’s Stock is listed on a Nasdaq market).

 

(b)           Awards Requiring Exercise

 

(1)  Time And Manner Of Exercise.  Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, an Award requiring exercise by the holder will not be deemed to have been exercised until the Administrator receives a notice of exercise (in form acceptable to the Administrator) signed by the appropriate person and accompanied by any payment required under the Award.  If the Award is exercised by any person other than the Participant, the Administrator may require satisfactory evidence that the person exercising the Award has the right to do so.

 

(2)  Exercise Price.  The exercise price (or the base value from which appreciation is to be measured) of each Award requiring exercise shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value of the Stock subject to the Award, determined as of the date of grant.  Fair market value shall be determined by the Administrator consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, as applicable.  No such Award, once granted, may be repriced other than in accordance with the applicable stockholder approval requirements of Nasdaq, if, at such time, the Company’s Stock is listed on a Nasdaq market.

 

(3)  Payment Of Exercise Price.  Where the exercise of an Award is to be accompanied by payment, payment shall be made by delivery of cash or check acceptable to the Administrator, or, if so permitted by the Administrator and if legally permissible, (i) through the delivery of shares of Stock that have been outstanding for at least six months (unless the Administrator approves a shorter period) and that have a fair market value equal to the exercise price, (ii) through a broker-assisted exercise program acceptable to the Administrator, (iii) by other means acceptable to the Administrator, or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing permissible forms of payment.  The delivery of shares in payment of the exercise price under clause (i) above may be accomplished either by actual delivery or by constructive delivery through attestation of ownership, subject to such rules as the Administrator may prescribe.

 

7











 

7.             EFFECT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

 

(a)           Mergers, etc.  Except as otherwise provided in an Award, the following provisions shall apply in the event of a Covered Transaction:

 

(1)   Assumption or Substitution.  If the Covered Transaction is one in which there is an acquiring or surviving entity, the Administrator may provide for the assumption of some or all outstanding Awards or for the grant of new awards in substitution therefor by the acquiror or survivor or an affiliate of the acquiror or survivor.  Any substitution or assumption of a Stock Option exempt from the requirements of Section 409A shall be accomplished on a basis that preserves such exemption.

 

(2)   Cash-Out of Awards.  If the Covered Transaction is one in which holders of Stock will receive a payment upon consummation, the Administrator may provide for payment (a “cash-out”), with respect to some or all Awards or portions thereof, equal in the case of each affected Award or portion thereof to the excess, if any, of (A) the fair market value of one share of Stock (as determined by the Administrator in its reasonable discretion) times the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award or such portion, over (B) the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, under the Award or such portion, in each case on such payment terms (which need not be the same as the terms of payment to holders of Stock) and other terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Administrator determines; provided, that the Administrator shall not exercise its discretion under this Section 7(a)(2) with respect to an Award providing for “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A in a manner that would constitute an extension or acceleration or, or other change in, payment terms if such change would be inconsistent with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(3)  Acceleration of Certain Awards.  If the Covered Transaction (whether or not there is an acquiring or surviving entity) is one in which there is no assumption, substitution or cash-out, each Award requiring exercise will become fully exercisable, and the delivery of shares of Stock deliverable under each outstanding Award of Stock Units (including Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards to the extent consisting of Stock Units) will be accelerated and such shares will be delivered, prior to the Covered Transaction, in each case on a basis that gives the holder of the Award a reasonable opportunity, as determined by the Administrator, following exercise of the Award or the delivery of the shares, as the case may be, to participate as a stockholder in the Covered Transaction; provided, that to the extent acceleration pursuant to this Section 7(a)(3) of an Award subject to Section 409A would cause the Award to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A, the Award shall not be accelerated and the Administrator in lieu thereof shall take such steps as it deems necessary or appropriate to ensure that payment of the Award is made in a medium other than Stock and on terms that as nearly as possible, but taking into account adjustments required or permitted by this Section 7, mirror the prior terms of the Award.

 

(4)  Termination of Awards Upon Consummation of Covered Transaction.  Each Award will terminate upon consummation of the Covered Transaction, other than the following:  (i) Awards assumed pursuant to Section 7(a)(1) above; (ii) Awards converted pursuant to the proviso in Section 7(a)(3) above into an ongoing right to receive payment other than Stock; and (iii) outstanding shares of Restricted Stock (which shall be treated in the same manner as other shares of Stock, subject to Section 7(a)(5) below).

 

(5)  Additional Limitations.  Any share of Stock delivered pursuant to Section 7(a)(2) or Section 7(a)(3) above with respect to an Award may, in the discretion of the Administrator, contain such restrictions, if any, as the Administrator deems appropriate to reflect any performance or other vesting conditions to which the Award was subject.  In the case of Restricted Stock, the Administrator may require that any amounts

 

8











 

delivered, exchanged or otherwise paid in respect of such Stock in connection with the Covered Transaction be placed in escrow or otherwise made subject to such restrictions as the Administrator deems appropriate to carry out the intent of the Plan.

 

(b)           Change in and Distributions With Respect to Stock

 

(1)  Basic Adjustment Provisions.  In the event of a stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares (including a reverse stock split), recapitalization or other change in the Company’s capital structure, the Administrator shall make appropriate adjustments to the maximum number of shares specified in Section 4(a) that may be delivered under the Plan and shall also make appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of stock or securities subject to Awards then outstanding or subsequently granted, any exercise prices relating to Awards and any other provision of Awards affected by such change.

 

(2)  Certain Other Adjustments.  The Administrator may also make adjustments of the type described in Section 7(b)(1) above to take into account distributions to stockholders other than those provided for in Section 7(a) and 7(b)(1), or any other event, if the Administrator determines that adjustments are appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan and to preserve the value of Awards made hereunder, having due regard for the requirements of Section 409A, and the performance-based compensation rules of Section 162(m), where applicable.

 

(3)  Continuing Application of Plan Terms.  References in the Plan to shares of Stock will be construed to include any stock or securities resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 7.

 

8.             LEGAL CONDITIONS TO DELIVERY OF STOCK

 

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from shares of Stock previously delivered under the Plan until: (i) the Company is satisfied that all legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been addressed and resolved; (ii) if the outstanding Stock is at the time of delivery listed on any stock exchange or national market system, the shares to be delivered have been listed or authorized to be listed on such exchange or system upon official notice of issuance; and (iii) all conditions of the Award have been satisfied or waived.  If the sale of Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Company may require, as a condition to exercise of the Award, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider appropriate to avoid violation of such Act.  The Company may require that certificates evidencing Stock issued under the Plan bear an appropriate legend reflecting any restriction on transfer applicable to such Stock, and the Company may hold the certificates pending lapse of the applicable restrictions.

 

9











 

9.             AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

The Administrator may at any time or times amend the Plan or any outstanding Award for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by law, and may at any time terminate the Plan as to any future grants of Awards; provided, that except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan the Administrator may not, without the Participant’s consent, alter the terms of an Award so as to affect adversely the Participant’s rights under the Award, unless the Administrator expressly reserved the right to do so at the time of the Award.  Any amendments to the Plan shall be conditioned upon stockholder approval only to the extent, if any, such approval is required by law (including the Code and applicable stock exchange requirements), as determined by the Administrator.

 

10.          OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

 

The existence of the Plan or the grant of any Award will not in any way affect the Company’s right to Award a person bonuses or other compensation in addition to Awards under the Plan.

 

11.          MISCELLANEOUS

 

(a)           Waiver of Jury Trial. By accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant waives any right to a trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim concerning any rights under the Plan and any Award, or under any amendment, waiver, consent, instrument, document or other agreement delivered or which in the future may be delivered in connection therewith, and agrees that any such action, proceedings or counterclaim shall be tried before a court and not before a jury.  By accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant certifies that no officer, representative, or attorney of the Company has represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Company would not, in the event of any action, proceeding or counterclaim, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers

 

(b)           Limitation of Liability.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, neither the Company, any Affiliate, nor the Administrator, nor any person acting on behalf of any of them, shall be liable to any Participant or to the estate or beneficiary of any Participant or to any other holder of an Award by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax, asserted by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A or by reason of Section 4999 of the Code; provided, that nothing in this Section 11(b) shall limit the ability of the Administrator or the Company to provide by separate express written agreement with a Participant for a gross-up payment other payment in connection with any such tax or additional tax.

 

(c)           Governing Law. This Plan, and all actions taken thereunder, and all Awards shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, applied without regard to the conflict of law principles.

 

12.          EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

 

This Plan shall become effective upon approval by the Company’s Board. No grants of Stock Options and other Awards may be made hereunder after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

10