EXHIBIT 10.1

 

GLOBAL POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP INC.
 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.             Establishment, Purpose, Duration.

 

(a)           Establishment.  Global Power Equipment Group Inc. (the “Company”), hereby establishes an equity compensation plan to be known as the Global Power Equipment Group Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  The Plan is effective as of January 29, 2015 (the “Effective Date”), subject to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company (the date of such stockholder approval being the “Approval Date”).  Definitions of capitalized terms used in the Plan are contained in Section 2 of the Plan.

 

(b)           Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain Directors, officers and other key employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to provide to such persons incentives and rewards for superior performance.

 

(c)           Duration.  No Award may be granted under the Plan after the day immediately preceding the 10th anniversary of the Effective Date, or such earlier date as the Board shall determine.  The Plan will remain in effect with respect to outstanding Awards until no Awards remain outstanding.

 

(d)           Prior Plan.  If the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan, the Global Power Equipment Group Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”) will terminate in its entirety effective on the Approval Date; provided that all outstanding awards under the Prior Plan as of the Approval Date shall remain outstanding and shall be administered and settled in accordance with the provisions of the Prior Plan.

 

2.             Definitions.  As used in the Plan, the following definitions shall apply.

 

“Applicable Laws” means the applicable requirements relating to the administration of equity-based compensation plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.

 

“Approval Date” has the meaning given such term in Section 1(a).

 

“Award” means a Nonqualified Stock Option, Incentive Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Shares Award, Restricted Share Unit, Other Share-Based Award, or Cash-Based Award granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

“Award Agreement” means either: (a) an agreement, either in written or electronic format, entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan; or (b) a statement, either in written or electronic format, issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, which need not be signed by the Participant.

 











 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

“Cash-Based Award” shall mean a cash Award granted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan.

 

“Cause” as a reason for a Participant’s termination of employment or service shall have the meaning assigned such term, if any, (a) in the employment, letter or severance agreement, if any, between the Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary, or (b) if none, under a severance plan or arrangement maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary that applies to the Participant on the date of termination.  If the Participant is not a party to an employment, letter or severance agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary in which such term is defined or if during the applicable severance protection period, the Participant is not a participant in any severance plan or arrangement maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary, then unless otherwise defined in the applicable Award Agreement, “Cause” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following as determined by the Committee: (i) The continued failure of Participant to perform substantially Participant’s duties with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Participant’s disregard of the directives of the Board or the Participant’s supervisor or reporting senior (in each case other than any such failure resulting from any medically determined physical or mental impairment) that is not cured by Participant within 20 days after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Participant by the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Participant has not substantially performed Participant’s duties or disregarded a directive; (ii) The willful material misrepresentation at any time by Participant to the Board or the Company or Subsidiary; (iii) Participant’s commission of any act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement against or in connection with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses or operations; (iv) A conviction, guilty plea or plea of nolo contendere of Participant for any crime involving dishonesty or for any felony; (v) A material breach by Participant of his or her fiduciary duties of loyalty or care to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or a material violation of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or any other Company policy, as the same may be amended from time to time; (vi) The engaging by Participant in illegal conduct, gross misconduct, gross insubordination or gross negligence that is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company’s business or financial condition; or (vii) Engaging in any activity in violation of any restrictive covenant, as specified in any agreement between a Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s Award Agreement or any severance plan maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary that covers the Participant, during the period of restriction specified in the agreement or plan prohibiting the Participant from engaging in such activity.  The Committee may in its discretion waive or modify the provisions of this paragraph at a meeting of the Committee with respect to any individual Participant with regard to the facts and circumstances of any particular situation involving a determination under this paragraph.

 

“Change in Control” means the occurrence of one of the following events:

 

(a)           The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Common Shares”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the

 

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Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company; (ii) any acquisition by the Company; (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or its affiliated companies; or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this definition; or

 

(b)           Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;

 

(c)           Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Common Shares and Outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more of its affiliated companies) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Common Shares and Outstanding Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

 

(d)           Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

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“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee or subcommittee of the Board as may be duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers in each instance as shall be specified by the Board.  To the extent required by Applicable Laws, the Committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board, each of whom is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, an “outside director” within the meaning of regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code, and an “independent director” within the meaning of applicable rules of any securities exchange upon which Shares are listed.

 

“Company” has the meaning given such term in Section 1(a) and any successor thereto.

 

“Date of Grant” means the date as of which an Award is determined to be effective and designated in a resolution by the Committee and is granted pursuant to the Plan.  The Date of Grant shall not be earlier than the date of the resolution and action therein by the Committee.  In no event shall the Date of Grant be earlier than the Effective Date.

 

“Detrimental Activity” except as may be otherwise specified in a Participant’s Award Agreement, means:  (a) Engaging in any activity of competition, as specified in any covenant not to compete set forth in any agreement between a Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s Award Agreement or any severance plan maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary that covers the Participant, during the period of restriction specified in the agreement or plan prohibiting the Participant from engaging in such activity; (b) Engaging in any activity of solicitation, as specified in any covenant not to solicit set forth in any agreement between a Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s Award Agreement or any severance plan maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary that covers the Participant, during the period of restriction specified in the agreement or plan prohibiting the Participant from engaging in such activity; (c) The disclosure of confidential information to anyone outside the Company or a Subsidiary, or the use in other than the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s business in violation of any covenant not to disclose set forth in any agreement between a Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s Award Agreement or any severance plan maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary that covers the Participant, during the period of restriction specified in the agreement or plan prohibiting the Participant from engaging in such activity; (d) The violation of any development and inventions, ownership of works, or similar provision set forth in any agreement between a Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s Award Agreement or any severance plan maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary that covers the Participant; (e) Participant’s commission of any act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement against or in connection with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses or operations; or (f) a conviction, guilty plea or plea of nolo contendere of Participant for any crime involving dishonesty or for any felony.

 

“Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

 

“Effective Date” has the meaning given such term in Section 1(a).

 

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“Employee” means any employee of the Company or a Subsidiary; provided, however, that for purposes of determining whether any person may be a Participant for purposes of any grant of Incentive Stock Options, the term “Employee” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3401(c) of the Code, as interpreted by the regulations thereunder and Applicable Law.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such law, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.

 

“Fair Market Value” means the value of one Share on any relevant date, determined under the following rules: (a) the closing sale price per Share on that date as reported on the principal exchange on which Shares are then trading, if any, or if applicable the New York Stock Exchange, or if there are no sales on that date, on the next preceding trading day during which a sale occurred; (b) if the Shares are not reported on a principal exchange or national market system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices last quoted on that date by an established quotation service for over-the-counter securities; or (c) if neither (a) nor (b) applies, (i) with respect to Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and any Award of stock rights that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the value as determined by the Committee through the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, taking into account all information material to the value of the Company, within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and (ii) with respect to all other Awards, the fair market value as determined by the Committee in good faith.

 

“Good Reason” as a reason for a Participant’s termination of employment or service shall have the meaning assigned such term, if any, (a) in the employment, letter or severance agreement, if any, between the Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary, or (b) if none, under a severance plan or arrangement maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary that applies to the Participant on the date of termination.  If the Participant is not a party to an employment, letter or severance agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary in which such term is defined or if during the applicable severance protection period, the Participant is not a participant in any severance plan or arrangement maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary, then unless otherwise defined in the applicable Award Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in its sole discretion, a reduction by the Company of Participant’s annual base salary by more than 10% (other than an across-the-board reduction which applies in a comparable manner to other senior executives of the Company).  A termination of Participant’s employment by Participant shall not be deemed to be for Good Reason unless (x) Participant gives notice to the Company of the existence of the event or condition constituting Good Reason within 30 calendar days after such event or condition initially occurs or exists, and (y) the Company fails to cure such event or condition within 30 calendar days after receiving such notice.  Additionally, Participant must terminate his or her employment within 90 calendar days after the initial occurrence of the circumstance constituting Good Reason for such termination to be “Good Reason” hereunder.

 

“Incentive Stock Option” means a Stock Option that is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

 

“Nonqualified Stock Option” means a Stock Option that is not intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or otherwise does not meet such requirements.

 

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“Other Share-Based Award” means an equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the terms of the Plan, granted in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 10.

 

“Participant” means any eligible individual as set forth in Section 5 who holds one or more outstanding Awards.

 

“Performance-Based Exception” means the performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

“Performance Objectives” means the performance objective or objectives established by the Committee pursuant to the Plan.  Any Performance Objectives may relate to the performance of the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries, divisions, departments, units, functions, partnerships, joint ventures or minority investments, product lines or products, or the performance of the individual Participant, and may include, without limitation, the Performance Objectives set forth in Section 13(b).  The Performance Objectives may be made relative to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Company may select Performance Objectives as compared to various stock market indices.  Performance Objectives may be stated as a combination of the listed factors.

 

“Plan” has the meaning given such term in Section 1(a), as amended from time to time.

 

“Prior Plan” has the meaning given such term in Section 1(d).

 

“Qualified Termination” means any termination of a Participant’s employment during the two-year period commencing on a Change in Control: (a) by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or the resulting entity in connection with a Change in Control other than for Cause, death or Disability, or (b) by the Participant for Good Reason.

 

“Restricted Shares” means Shares granted or sold pursuant to Section 8 as to which neither the substantial risk of forfeiture nor the prohibition on transfers referred to in such Section 8 has expired.

 

“Restricted Share Unit” means a grant or sale of the right to receive Shares or cash at the end of a specified restricted period made pursuant to Section 9.

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Share” means a share of common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share, or any security into which such Share may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 16.

 

“Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to Section 7.

 

“Stock Option” means a right to purchase a Share granted to a Participant under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 6.  Stock Options may be either Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options.

 

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“Subsidiary” means: (a) with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, a “subsidiary corporation” as defined under Section 424(f) of the Code; and (b) for all other purposes under the Plan, any corporation or other entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, a proprietary interest of more than 50% by reason of stock ownership or otherwise.

 

“Ten Percent Stockholder” means any Participant who owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

3.             Shares Available Under the Plan.

 

(a)           Shares Available for Awards.  The maximum number of Shares that may be issued or delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 1,000,000, all of which may be granted with respect to Incentive Stock Options.  Shares issued or delivered pursuant to an Award may be authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares, including Shares purchased in the open market, or a combination of the foregoing.  The aggregate number of Shares available for issuance or delivery under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 16.

 

(b)           Share Usage.  In addition to the number of Shares provided for in Section 3(a), the following Shares shall be available for Awards under the Plan: (i) Shares covered by an Award that expires or is forfeited, canceled, surrendered or otherwise terminated without the issuance of such Shares; (ii) Shares covered by an Award that is settled only in cash; and (iii) Shares granted through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards granted by a company to individuals who become Employees or Directors as the result of a merger, consolidation, acquisition or other corporate transaction involving such company and the Company or any of its affiliates (except as may be required by reason of Section 422 of the Code or the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or other trading market on which the Shares are listed).

 

(c)           Prohibition of Share Recycling.  The following Shares issued or delivered under this Plan shall not again be available for grant as described above:  (i) Shares tendered in payment of the exercise price of a Stock Option; (ii) Shares withheld by the Company or any Subsidiary to satisfy a tax withholding obligation; and (iii) Shares that are repurchased by the Company with Stock Option proceeds.  Without limiting the foregoing, with respect to any Stock Appreciation Right that is settled in Shares, the full number of Shares subject to the Award shall count against the number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan regardless of the number of Shares used to settle the Stock Appreciation Right upon exercise.

 

(d)           Per Participant Limits.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 16 of the Plan, the following limits shall apply with respect to Awards that are intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception: (i) the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted in any calendar year to any one Participant shall be 75,000 Shares; (ii) the maximum aggregate number of Restricted Shares and Shares issuable or deliverable under Restricted Share Units and Other Share-Based Awards granted in any calendar year to any one Participant shall be 125,000 Shares; (iii) the maximum aggregate compensation that can be paid pursuant to Cash-Based Awards or Other Share-Based Awards granted in any calendar year to any one Participant shall be $2,500,000 or a number of

 

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Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value not in excess of such amount; and (iv) the maximum dividend equivalents that may be paid in any calendar year to any one Participant shall be $250,000 or a number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value not in excess of such amount.

 

(e)           Director Limits.  No Director may be granted, during any one calendar year, Awards with a grant date fair value for financial accounting purposes of more than $250,000.

 

4.             Administration of the Plan.

 

(a)           In General.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  Except as otherwise provided by the Board, the Committee shall have full and final authority in its discretion to take all actions determined by the Committee to be necessary in the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, discretion to: select Award recipients; determine the sizes and types of Awards; determine the terms and conditions of Awards in a manner consistent with the Plan; grant waivers of terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to any Award, or accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any Award, in a manner consistent with the Plan; construe and interpret the Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and take such other action, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee deems appropriate.  To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Committee may, in its discretion, delegate to one or more Directors or Employees any of the Committee’s authority under the Plan.  The acts of any such delegates shall be treated hereunder as acts of the Committee with respect to any matters so delegated.

 

(b)           Determinations.  The Committee shall have no obligation to treat Participants or eligible Participants uniformly, and the Committee may make determinations under the Plan selectively among Participants who receive, or Employees or Directors who are eligible to receive, Awards (whether or not such Participants or eligible Employees or Directors are similarly situated).  All determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders and resolutions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Subsidiaries, its stockholders, Directors, Employees, Participants and their estates and beneficiaries.

 

(c)           Authority of the Board.  The Board may reserve to itself any or all of the authority or responsibility of the Committee under the Plan or may act as the administrator of the Plan for any and all purposes.  To the extent the Board has reserved any such authority or responsibility or during any time that the Board is acting as administrator of the Plan, it shall have all the powers of the Committee hereunder, and any reference herein to the Committee (other than in this Section 4(c)) shall include the Board.  To the extent that any action of the Board under the Plan conflicts with any action taken by the Committee, the action of the Board shall control.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Board specifically reserves the exclusive authority to approve and administer all Awards granted to Directors under the Plan.

 

5.             Eligibility and Participation.  Each Employee and Director is eligible to participate in the Plan.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all eligible Employees and Directors those to whom Awards shall be granted

 

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and shall determine, in its sole discretion, the nature of any and all terms permissible by Applicable Law and the amount of each Award.

 

6.             Stock Options.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Stock Options may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

(a)           Award Agreement. Each Stock Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Option, the number of Shares covered by the Stock Option, the conditions upon which the Stock Option shall become vested and exercisable and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.  The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Stock Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

(b)           Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share of a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Stock Option is granted and shall be specified in the related Award Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall the exercise price per Share of any Stock Option be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant.

 

(c)           Term.  The term of a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the related Award Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall the term of any Stock Option exceed 10 years from its Date of Grant.

 

(d)           Exercisability. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such times and upon such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the related Award Agreement.  Such terms and conditions may include, without limitation, the satisfaction of (i) performance goals based on one or more Performance Objectives, and (ii) time-based vesting requirements.

 

(e)           Exercise of Stock Options. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in a related Award Agreement, a Stock Option may be exercised for all or any portion of the Shares for which it is then exercisable.  A Stock Option shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company or its designee in a form specified by the Company which sets forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option is to be exercised and full payment of the exercise price for such Shares.  The exercise price of a Stock Option may be paid: (i) in cash or its equivalent; (ii) by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price; (iii) by a cashless exercise (including by withholding Shares deliverable upon exercise and through a broker-assisted arrangement to the extent permitted by Applicable Law); (iv) by a combination of the methods described in clauses (i), (ii) and/or (iii); or (v) through any other method approved by the Committee in its sole discretion.  As soon as practicable after receipt of the notification of exercise and full payment of the exercise price, the Company shall cause the appropriate number of Shares to be issued to the Participant.

 

(f)            Special Rules Applicable to Incentive Stock Options.  Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary:

 

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(i)            Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries.  The terms and conditions of Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to and comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(ii)           To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares (determined as of the Date of Grant) with respect to which an Incentive Stock Option is exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries) is greater than $100,000 (or such other amount specified in Section 422 of the Code), as calculated under Section 422 of the Code, then the Stock Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

(iii)          No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Participant who, on the Date of Grant, is a Ten Percent Stockholder, unless (x) the exercise price per Share of such Incentive Stock Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant, and (y) the term of such Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed 5 years from the Date of Grant.

 

7.             Stock Appreciation Rights.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

(a)           Award Agreement.  Each Stock Appreciation Right shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the number of Shares covered by the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions upon which the Stock Appreciation Right shall become vested and exercisable and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(b)           Exercise Price.  The exercise price per Share of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Stock Appreciation Right is granted and shall be specified in the related Award Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall the exercise price per Share of any Stock Appreciation Right be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant.

 

(c)           Term.  The term of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the related Award Agreement; provided however, that in no event shall the term of any Stock Appreciation Right exceed 10 years from its Date of Grant.

 

(d)           Exercisability of Stock Appreciation Rights.  A Stock Appreciation Right shall become exercisable at such times and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in the related Award Agreement.  Such terms and conditions may include, without limitation, the satisfaction of (i) performance goals based on one or more Performance Objectives, and (ii) time-based vesting requirements.

 

(e)           Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights.  Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in a related Award Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for all or any portion of the Shares for which it is then exercisable.  A Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company or its designee in a form

 

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specified by the Company which sets forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is to be exercised.  Upon exercise, a Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle a Participant to an amount equal to (a) the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the exercise date over (ii) the exercise price per Share, multiplied by (b) the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.  A Stock Appreciation Right may be settled in whole Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as specified by the Committee in the related Award Agreement.

 

8.             Restricted Shares.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Shares may be granted or sold to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

(a)           Award Agreement.  Each Restricted Shares Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the number of Restricted Shares, the restricted period(s) applicable to the Restricted Shares, the conditions upon which the restrictions on the Restricted Shares will lapse and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(b)           Terms, Conditions and Restrictions.  The Committee shall impose such other terms, conditions and/or restrictions on any Restricted Shares as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant pay a purchase price for each Restricted Share, restrictions based on the achievement of specific Performance Objectives, time-based restrictions or holding requirements or sale restrictions placed on the Shares by the Company upon vesting of such Restricted Shares.  Unless otherwise provided in the related Award Agreement or required by Applicable Law, the restrictions imposed on Restricted Shares shall lapse upon the expiration or termination of the applicable restricted period and the satisfaction of any other applicable terms and conditions.

 

(c)           Custody of Certificates.  To the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, the Company may retain the certificates representing Restricted Shares in the Company’s possession until such time as all terms, conditions and/or restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied or lapse.

 

(d)           Rights Associated with Restricted Shares during Restricted Period.  During any restricted period applicable to Restricted Shares: (i) the Restricted Shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated; (ii) unless otherwise provided in the related Award Agreement, the Participant shall be entitled to exercise full voting rights associated with such Restricted Shares; and (iii) the Participant shall be entitled to all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Restricted Shares during the restricted period.  The Award Agreement may require that receipt of any dividends or other distributions with respect to the Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Restricted Shares with respect to which they are paid.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, dividends or other distributions with respect to Restricted Shares that vest based on the achievement of Performance Objectives shall be accumulated until such Award is earned, and the dividends or other distributions shall not be paid if the Performance Objectives are not satisfied.

 

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9.             Restricted Share Units.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Share Units may be granted or sold to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

(a)           Award Agreement.  Each Restricted Share Unit shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the number of units, the restricted period(s) applicable to the Restricted Share Units, the conditions upon which the restrictions on the Restricted Share Units will lapse, the time and method of payment of the Restricted Share Units, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(b)           Terms, Conditions and Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other terms, conditions and/or restrictions on any Restricted Share Units as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant pay a purchase price for each Restricted Share Unit, restrictions based on the achievement of specific Performance Objectives or time-based restrictions or holding requirements.

 

(c)           Form of Settlement.  Restricted Share Units may be settled in whole Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as specified by the Committee in the related Award Agreement.

 

(d)           Dividend Equivalents.  Restricted Share Units may provide the Participant with dividend equivalents, on either a current or deferred or contingent basis, and either in cash or in additional Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the related Award Agreement; provided that dividend equivalents with respect to Restricted Share Units that vest based on the achievement of Performance Objectives shall be accumulated until such Award is earned, and the dividend equivalents shall not be paid if the Performance Objectives are not satisfied.

 

10.          Other Share-Based Awards.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Other Share-Based Awards may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.  Other Share-Based Awards are Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of, Shares, and shall be in such form as the Committee shall determine, including without limitation, unrestricted Shares or time-based or performance-based units that are settled in Shares and/or cash.

 

(a)           Award Agreement.  Each Other Share-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the terms and conditions upon which the Other Share-Based Award shall become vested, if applicable, the time and method of settlement, the form of settlement and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(b)           Form of Settlement. An Other Share-Based Award may be settled in whole Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as specified by the Committee in the related Award Agreement.

 

(c)           Dividend Equivalents.  Other Share-Based Awards may provide the Participant with dividend equivalents, on either a current or deferred or contingent basis, and either in cash

 

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or in additional Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the related Award Agreement; provided that dividend equivalents with respect to Other Share-Based Awards that vest based on the achievement of Performance Objectives shall be accumulated until such Award is earned, and the dividend equivalents shall not be paid if the Performance Objectives are not satisfied.

 

11.          Cash-Based Awards.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Cash-Based Awards may be granted to Participants in such amounts and upon such other terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.  Each Cash-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the payment amount or payment range, the time and method of settlement and the other terms and conditions, as applicable, of such Award which may include, without limitation, restrictions based on the achievement of specific Performance Objectives.

 

12.          Compliance with Section 409A.  Awards granted under the Plan shall be designed and administered in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  To the extent that the Committee determines that any award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement (unless the Award Agreement provides otherwise with specific reference to this Section 12): (a) an Award shall not be granted, deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out, settled, substituted or modified under the Plan in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant; and (b) if an Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, and if the Participant holding the award is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code, with such classification to be determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company), then, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant, no distribution or payment of any amount shall be made before the date that is 6 months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death.  Although the Company intends to administer the Plan so that Awards will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Company does not warrant that any Award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A of the Code or any other provision of federal, state, local, or non-United States law.  The Company shall not be liable to any Participant for any tax, interest, or penalties the Participant might owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise, or payment of any Award under the Plan.

 

13.          Compliance with Section 162(m).

 

(a)           In General.  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units, Other Share-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards may be granted in a manner that is intended to qualify the Award for the Performance-Based Exception.  As determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the grant, vesting, exercisability and/or settlement of any Awards intended to qualify the Award for the Performance-Based Exception shall be conditioned on the attainment of one or more Performance Objectives during a

 

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performance period established by the Committee.  Any such Award must meet the requirements of this Section 13.

 

(b)           Performance Objectives.  If an Award is intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, then the Performance Objectives shall be based on specified levels of or growth in one or more of the following criteria: revenues, earnings from operations, operating income, earnings before or after interest and taxes, operating income before or after interest and taxes, net income, cash flow, operating cash flow, earnings per share, return on total capital, return on invested capital, return on gross investment, return on equity, return on assets, total return to stockholders, earnings before or after interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary or special items, operating income before or after interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary or special items, return on investment, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, cash flow in excess of cost of capital, operating margin, profit margin, contribution margin, stock price and/or strategic business criteria consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified product development, strategic partnering, research and development milestones, market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction, management of employment practices and employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures.

 

(c)           Establishment of Performance Objectives.  With respect to Awards intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee shall establish: (i) the applicable Performance Objectives and performance period, and (ii) the formula for computing the payout.  Such terms and conditions shall be established in writing while the outcome of the applicable performance period is substantially uncertain, but in no event later than the earlier of: (x) 90 days after the beginning of the applicable performance period; or (y) the expiration of 25% of the applicable performance period.

 

(d)           Certification of Performance.  With respect to any Award intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee shall certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Objectives and other material terms imposed on such Award have been satisfied, and, if they have, ascertain the amount of the payout or vesting of the Award.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, payment or vesting of any such Award shall not be made until the Committee certifies in writing that the applicable Performance Objectives and any other material terms of such Award were in fact satisfied in a manner conforming to applicable regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(e)           Negative Discretion.  With respect to any Award intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee shall not have discretion to increase the amount of compensation that is payable upon achievement of the designated Performance Objectives.  However, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, reduce the amount of compensation that is payable upon achievement of the designated Performance Objectives.

 

14.          Minimum Vesting for Awards to Employees.  Subject to Sections 19, 21 and 22(b) of the Plan, or as otherwise provided in the related Award Agreement in connection with a Change in Control or a Participant’s death, disability, retirement, involuntary termination of

 

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employment or service without Cause or termination of employment or service for good reason, (i) no condition on vesting of an Award granted to an Employee that is based solely upon the achievement of Performance Objectives shall be based on performance over a period of less than one year, and (ii) no condition on vesting of an Award granted to an Employee that is based solely upon continued employment or service shall provide for vesting in full of such Award more quickly than one year from the Date of Grant of the Award (which vesting period may lapse on a pro-rated, graded, or cliff basis as specified in the Award Agreement); provided, however, that Awards to Employees covering up to 5% of the Shares available for grant under this Plan may be granted with a vesting period of less than one year, regardless of whether vesting is conditioned upon the achievement of Performance Objectives.

 

15.          Transferability.  Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no Award or dividend equivalents paid with respect to any Award shall be transferable by the Participant except by will or the laws of descent and distribution; provided, that if so determined by the Committee, each Participant may, in a manner established by the Board or the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant and to receive Shares or other property issued or delivered under such Award.  Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights will be exercisable during a Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or, in the event of the Participant’s legal incapacity to do so, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative acting on behalf of the Participant in a fiduciary capacity under state law and/or court supervision.

 

16.          Adjustments.  In the event of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation), such as a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, spinoff, rights offering, or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, the Committee shall cause there to be an equitable adjustment in the numbers of Shares specified in Section 3 of the Plan and, with respect to outstanding Awards, in the number and kind of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, the exercise price, exercise price or other price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, in each case to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants.  In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, or in the event of a merger, consolidation, liquidation, or similar transaction, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause there to be an equitable adjustment as described in the foregoing sentence, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be rounded down to a whole number.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall not make any adjustment pursuant to this Section 16 that would (i) cause any Stock Option intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option to fail to so qualify, (ii) cause an Award that is otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code to become subject to Section 409A of the Code, or (iii) cause an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on all Participants and any other persons claiming under or through any Participant.

 

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17.          Fractional Shares.  The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any fractional Shares pursuant to the Plan and, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, fractional shares shall be settled in cash.

 

18.          Withholding Taxes.  To the extent required by Applicable Law, a Participant shall be required to satisfy, in a manner satisfactory to the Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise, the vesting of or settlement of Shares under an Award, an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or otherwise with respect to an Award.  The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to issue or deliver Shares, make any payment or to recognize the transfer or disposition of Shares until such obligations are satisfied.  The Committee may permit or require these obligations to be satisfied by having the Company withhold a portion of the Shares that otherwise would be issued or delivered to a Participant upon exercise of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the vesting or settlement of an Award, or by tendering Shares previously acquired, in each case having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld or paid.  Any such elections are subject to such conditions or procedures as may be established by the Committee and may be subject to disapproval by the Committee.

 

19.          Foreign Employees.  Without amending the Plan, the Committee may grant Awards to Participants who are foreign nationals on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may in the judgment of the Committee be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan, and, in furtherance of such purposes, the Committee may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, and the like as may be necessary or advisable to comply with provisions of Applicable Laws of other countries in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operate or have employees.

 

20.          Detrimental Activity; Forfeiture of Awards.

 

(a)           Detrimental Activity. Any Award Agreement may provide that if the Committee determines a Participant has engaged in any Detrimental Activity, either during service with the Company or a Subsidiary or after termination of such service, then, promptly upon receiving notice of the Committee’s determination, the Participant shall:

 

(i)            forfeit that Award to the extent then held by the Participant;

 

(ii)           subject to Section 20(b) below, return to the Company or the Subsidiary all Shares that the Participant has not disposed of that had been acquired pursuant to that Award, in exchange for payment by the Company or the Subsidiary of any amount actually paid therefor by the Participant; and

 

(iii)          subject to Section 20(b) below, with respect to any Shares acquired pursuant to an Award that were disposed of, pay to the Company or the Subsidiary, in cash, the excess, if any, of: (A) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date acquired, over (B) any amount actually paid by the Participant for the Shares.

 

(b)           Period of Restriction.  Sections 20(a)(ii) and (iii) shall apply only to Shares that were acquired pursuant to the Award during a period of two (2) years prior to the date of the

 

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Participant’s initial commencement of the Detrimental Activity (or such other period of time specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement).

 

(c)           Compensation Recovery Policy.  Any Award granted to a Participant shall be subject to forfeiture or repayment pursuant to the terms of any applicable compensation recovery policy adopted by the Company, including any such policy that may be adopted to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or any rules or regulations issued by the SEC rule or applicable securities exchange.

 

(d)           Set-Off and Other Remedies.  To the extent that amounts are not immediately returned or paid to the Company as provided in this Section 20, the Company may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, seek other remedies, including a set off of the amounts so payable to it against any amounts that may be owing from time to time by the Company or a Subsidiary to the Participant for any reason, including, without limitation, wages, or vacation pay or other benefits; provided, however, that, except to the extent permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4), such offset shall not apply to amounts that are “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

21.          Change in Control.

 

(a)           Committee Discretion.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Participants, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable to any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control, determine whether and to what extent outstanding Awards under the Plan shall be assumed, converted or replaced by the resulting entity in connection with a Change in Control (or, if the Company is the resulting entity, whether such Awards shall be continued by the Company), in each case subject to equitable adjustments in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan.

 

(b)           Awards that are Assumed.  To the extent outstanding Awards granted under this Plan are assumed, converted or replaced by the resulting entity in the event of a Change in Control (or, if the Company is the resulting entity, to the extent such Awards are continued by the Company) as provided in Section 21(a) of the Plan, then:  (i) any outstanding Awards that are subject to Performance Objectives shall be converted by the resulting entity, as if “target” performance had been achieved as of the date of the Change in Control, and shall continue to vest during the remaining performance period or other period of required service, and (ii) all other Awards shall continue to vest during the applicable vesting period, if any.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if a Participant incurs a Qualified Termination, then upon such termination (A) all outstanding Awards held by the Participant that may be exercised shall become fully exercisable and shall remain exercisable for the full duration of their term, (B) all restrictions with respect to outstanding Awards shall lapse, with any specified Performance Objectives with respect to outstanding Awards deemed to be satisfied at the “target” level, and (C) all outstanding Awards shall become fully vested.

 

(c)           Awards that are not Assumed.  To the extent outstanding Awards granted under this Plan are not assumed, converted or replaced by the resulting entity in connection with a Change in Control (or, if the Company is the resulting entity, to the extent such Awards are not continued by the Company) in accordance with Section 21(a) of the Plan, then effective

 

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immediately prior to the Change in Control:  (i) all outstanding Awards held by the Participant that may be exercised shall become fully exercisable and shall remain exercisable for the full duration of their term, (ii) all restrictions with respect to outstanding Awards shall lapse, with any specified Performance Objectives with respect to outstanding Awards deemed to be satisfied at the “target” level, and (iii) all outstanding Awards shall become fully vested.

 

(d)           Cancellation Right.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Participants, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable to any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control, provide that any outstanding Award (or a portion thereof) shall, upon the occurrence of such Change in Control, be cancelled in exchange for a payment in cash or other property (including shares of the resulting entity in connection with a Change in Control) in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Award, over any exercise price related to the Award, which amount may be zero if the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of the Change in Control does not exceed the exercise price per Share of the applicable Awards.

 

22.          Amendment, Modification and Termination.

 

(a)           In General.  The Board may at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that no alteration or amendment that requires stockholder approval in order for the Plan to comply with any rule promulgated by the SEC or any securities exchange on which Shares are listed or any other Applicable Laws shall be effective unless such amendment shall be approved by the requisite vote of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon within the time period required under such applicable listing standard or rule.

 

(b)           Adjustments to Outstanding Awards.  The Committee may in its sole discretion at any time (i) provide that all or a portion of a Participant’s Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards in the nature of rights that may be exercised shall become fully or partially exercisable; (ii) provide that all or a part of the time-based vesting restrictions on all or a portion of the outstanding Awards shall lapse, and/or that any Performance Objectives or other performance-based criteria with respect to any Awards shall be deemed to be wholly or partially satisfied; or (iii) waive any other limitation or requirement under any such Award, in each case, as of such date as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, declare.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any such adjustment that is made with respect to an Award that is intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception shall be made at such times and in such manner as will not cause such Awards to fail to qualify under the Performance-Based Exception.  Additionally, the Committee shall not make any adjustment pursuant to this Section 22(b) that would cause an Award that is otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code to become subject to Section 409A of the Code, or that would cause an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(c)           Prohibition on Repricing.  Except for adjustments made pursuant to Sections 16 or 21, the Board or the Committee will not, without the further approval of the stockholders of the Company, authorize the amendment of any outstanding Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce the exercise price.  No Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be cancelled and replaced with an Award having a lower exercise price, or for another Award, or for

 

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cash without further approval of the stockholders of the Company, except as provided in Sections 16 or 21.  Furthermore, no Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right will provide for the payment, at the time of exercise, of a cash bonus or grant or sale of another Award without further approval of the stockholders of the Company.  This Section 22(c) is intended to prohibit the repricing of “underwater” Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights without stockholder approval and will not be construed to prohibit the adjustments provided for in Sections 16 or 21.

 

(d)           Effect on Outstanding Awards.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary (other than Sections 16, 21, 22(b) and 24(d)), no termination, amendment, suspension, or modification of the Plan or an Award Agreement shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan may be modified by the Committee to disqualify such Stock Option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code.

 

23.          Applicable Laws.  The obligations of the Company with respect to Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all Applicable Laws and such approvals by any governmental agencies as the Committee determines may be required.  The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.

 

24.          Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Deferral of Awards.  Except with respect to Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the Committee may permit Participants to elect to defer the issuance or delivery of Shares or the settlement of Awards in cash under the Plan pursuant to such rules, procedures or programs as it may establish for purposes of the Plan.  The Committee also may provide that deferred issuances and settlements include the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents or interest on the deferral amounts.  All elections and deferrals permitted under this provision shall comply with Section 409A of the Code, including setting forth the time and manner of the election (including a compliant time and form of payment), the date on which the election is irrevocable, and whether the election can be changed until the date it is irrevocable.

 

(b)           No Right of Continued Employment.  The Plan shall not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate such Participant’s employment or other service at any time.  No Employee or Director shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive future Awards.

 

(c)           Unfunded, Unsecured Plan.  Neither a Participant nor any other person shall, by reason of participation in the Plan, acquire any right or title to any assets, funds or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, including without limitation, any specific funds, assets or other property which the Company or any Subsidiary may set aside in anticipation of any liability under the Plan.  A Participant shall have only a contractual right to an Award or the amounts, if any, payable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, and

 

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nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee that the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any person.

 

(d)           Severability.  If any provision of the Plan is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended or limited in scope to conform to Applicable Laws or, in the discretion of the Committee, it shall be stricken and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(e)           Acceptance of Plan.  By accepting any benefit under the Plan, each Participant and each person claiming under or through any such Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated their acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and any action taken under the Plan by the Committee, the Board or the Company, in any case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(f)            Successors.  All obligations of the Company under the Plan and with respect to Awards shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or other event, or a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company and references to the “Company” herein and in any Award agreements shall be deemed to refer to such successors.

 

[END OF DOCUMENT]

 

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