Document:

ex101.htm

CAPTERRA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2008 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN

 

 

1. Purpose. The purpose of this AMENDED AND RESTATED 2008 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN (the “Plan”) is to assist CAPTERRA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., a Colorado corporation (the “Company”) and its Related Entities (as hereinafter defined) in attracting, motivating, retaining and rewarding high-quality executives and other employees, officers, directors, consultants and other persons who provide services to the Company or its Related Entities by enabling such persons to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in the Company in order to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such persons and the Company’s shareholders, and providing such persons with performance incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of shareholder value.

 

2. Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below, in addition to such terms defined in Section 1 hereof.

 

(a) “Award” means any Option or Restricted Stock Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.

 

(b) “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted by the Committee hereunder.

 

(c) “Beneficiary” means the person, persons, trust or trusts that have been designated by a Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Committee to receive the benefits specified under the Plan upon such Participant’s death or to which Awards or other rights are transferred if and to the extent permitted under Section 10(b) hereof. If, upon a Participant’s death, there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the term Beneficiary means the person, persons, trust or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.

 

(d) “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and any successor to such Rule.

 

(e) “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

(f) “Cause” shall, with respect to any Participant have the meaning specified in the Award Agreement. In the absence of any definition in the Award Agreement, “Cause” shall have the equivalent meaning or the same meaning as “cause” or “for cause” set forth in any employment, consulting, or other agreement for the performance of services between the Participant and the Company or a Related Entity or, in the absence of any such agreement or any such definition in such agreement, such term shall mean (i) the failure by the Participant to perform, in a reasonable manner, his or her duties as assigned by the Company or a Related Entity, (ii) any violation or breach by the Participant of his or her employment, consulting or other similar agreement with the Company or a Related Entity, if any, (iii) any violation or breach by the Participant of any non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure and/or other similar agreement with the Company or a Related Entity, (iv) any act by the Participant of dishonesty or bad faith with respect to the Company or a Related Entity, [(v) use of alcohol, drugs or other similar substances in a manner that adversely affects the Participant’s work performance], or (vi) the commission by the Participant of any act, misdemeanor, or crime reflecting unfavorably upon the Participant or the Company or any Related Entity. The good faith determination by the Committee of whether the Participant’s Continuous Service was terminated by the Company for “Cause” shall be final and binding for all purposes hereunder.

 

 

  

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(g) “Change in Control” means a Change in Control as defined with related terms in Section 9(b) of the Plan.

 

(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.

 

(i) “Committee” means a committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that if the Board fails to designate a committee or if there are no longer any members on the committee so designated by the Board, then the Board shall serve as the Committee.

 

(j) “Consultant” means any person (other than an Employee or a Director, solely with respect to rendering services in such person’s capacity as a director) who is engaged by the Company or any Related Entity to render consulting or advisory services to the Company or such Related Entity.

 

(k) “Continuous Service” means the uninterrupted provision of services to the Company or any Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director, Consultant or other service provider. Continuous Service shall not be considered to be interrupted in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence, (ii) transfers among the Company, any Related Entities, or any successor entities, in any capacity of Employee, Director, Consultant or other service provider, or (iii) any change in status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or a Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director, Consultant or other service provider (except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement). An approved leave of absence shall include sick leave, military leave, or any other authorized personal leave.

 

(l) “Covered Employee” means an Eligible Person who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto.

 

(m) “Director” means a member of the Board or the board of directors of any Related Entity.

 

(n) “Disability” means a permanent and total disability (within the meaning of Section 22(e) of the Code), as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee.

 

(o) “Effective Date” means the effective date of the Plan, which shall be December 4, 2008.

 

(p) “Eligible Person” means each officer, Director, Employee, Consultant and other person who provides services to the Company or any Related Entity. The foregoing notwithstanding, only employees of the Company, or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company (as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively), shall be Eligible Persons for purposes of receiving any Incentive Stock Options. An Employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or a Related Entity for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.

 

(q) “Employee” means any person, including an officer or Director, who is an employee of the Company or any Related Entity. The payment of a director’s fee by the Company or a Related Entity shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

 

(r) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules thereto.

 

 

  

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(s) “Executive Committee” means the Executive Committee of the Board.

 

(t) “Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of Shares, Awards or other property as determined by the Committee, acting in good faith, believes to be in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, provided that such determination shall comply with the requirements of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(A), the Fair Market Value of a Share as of any given date shall be the closing sale price per Share reported on a consolidated basis for stock listed on the principal stock exchange or market on which Shares are traded on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if there is no sale on that date, then on the last previous day on which a sale was reported.

 

(u) “Good Reason” shall, with respect to any Participant, have the meaning specified in the Award Agreement. In the absence of any definition in the Award Agreement, “Good Reason” shall have the equivalent meaning or the same meaning as “good reason” or “for good reason” set forth in any employment, consulting or other agreement for the performance of services between the Participant and the Company or a Related Entity or, in the absence of any such agreement or any such definition in such agreement, such term shall mean (i) the assignment to the Participant of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with the Participant’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Company or a Related Entity, or any other action by the Company or a Related Entity which results in a material diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose any action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company or a Related Entity promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; or (ii) any material failure by the Company or a Related Entity to comply with its obligations to the Participant as agreed upon, other than any failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company or a Related Entity promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant.

 

(v) “Incentive Stock Option” means any Option intended to be designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

 

(w) [Reserved].

 

(x) “Incumbent Board” means the Incumbent Board as defined in Section 9(b)(ii) of the Plan.

 

(y) “Option” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(b) hereof, to purchase Shares or other Awards at a specified price during specified time periods.

 

(z) “Optionee” means a person to whom an Option is granted under this Plan or any person who succeeds to the rights of such person under this Plan.

 

(aa) “Option Proceeds” means the cash actually received by the Company for the exercise price in connection with the exercise of Options that are exercised after the Effective Date of the Plan, plus the maximum tax benefit that could be realized by the Company as a result of the exercise of such Options, which tax benefit shall be determined by multiplying (i) the amount that is deductible for Federal income tax purposes as a result of any such option exercise (currently, equal to the amount upon which the Participant’s withholding tax obligation is calculated), times (ii) the maximum Federal corporate income tax rate for the year of exercise. With respect to Options, to the extent that a Participant pays the exercise price and/or withholding taxes with Shares, Option Proceeds shall not be calculated with respect to the amounts so paid in Shares.

 

(bb) [Reserved].

 

 

  

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(cc) “Participant” means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan which remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.

 

(dd) “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and shall include a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

 

(ee) “Related Entity” means any Subsidiary, and any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity designated by Board in which the Company or a Subsidiary holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or indirectly.

 

(ff) “Restricted Stock” means any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or assign such Share and with such risks of forfeiture and other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose (including any restriction on the right to vote such Share and the right to receive any dividends), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.

 

(gg) “Restricted Stock Award” means an Award granted to a Participant under Section 6(c) hereof.

 

(hh) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect and applicable to the Plan and Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

(ii) “Shareholder Approval Date” means the date on which this Plan is approved shareholders of the Company eligible to vote in the election of directors, by a vote sufficient to meet the requirements of Code Sections 162(m) (if applicable) and 422, Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (if applicable), applicable requirements under the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares may be listed on quoted, and other laws, regulations and obligations of the Company applicable to the Plan.

 

(jj) “Shares” means the shares of common stock of the Company, par value $.001 per share, and such other securities as may be substituted (or resubstituted) for Shares pursuant to Section 10(c) hereof.

 

(kk) “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the then outstanding securities or interests of such corporation or other entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or in which the Company has the right to receive 50% or more of the distribution of profits or 50% or more of the assets on liquidation or dissolution.

 

(ll) “Substitute Awards” shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, by a company acquired by the Company or any Related Entity or with which the Company or any Related Entity combines.

 

3. Administration.

 

(a) Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, except to the extent the Board elects to administer the Plan, in which case references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to include references to the Independent members of the Board. The Committee shall have full and final authority, subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to select Eligible Persons to become Participants, grant Awards, determine the type, number and other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards, prescribe Award Agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant) and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, construe and interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and correct defects, supply omissions or reconcile inconsistencies therein, and to make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. In exercising any discretion granted to the Committee under the Plan or pursuant to any Award, the Committee shall not be required to follow past practices, act in a manner consistent with past practices, or treat any Eligible Person or Participant in a manner consistent with the treatment of other Eligible Persons or Participants.

 

 

  

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(b) Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority. The Committee, and not the Board, shall exercise sole and exclusive discretion on any matter relating to a Participant then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company to the extent necessary in order that transactions by such Participant shall be exempt under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Related Entities, Participants, Beneficiaries, transferees under Section 10(b) hereof or other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant, and shareholders. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. The Committee may delegate to officers or managers of the Company or any Related Entity, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions, including administrative functions as the Committee may determine to the extent that such delegation will not result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company and will not cause Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) to fail to so qualify. The Committee may appoint agents to assist it in administering the Plan.

 

(c) Conformance to Section 409A of the Code. If, at any time, tax advisors to the Company determine that the terms of any outstanding Award result in additional tax or interest to the holder under Section 409A of the Code, the Committee shall have the authority to enter into an amendment of such Award, consistent with this Plan, that is designed to avoid such additional tax or interest. If any Award constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, any acceleration of the payment of such Award upon a Change in Control as provided under this Plan shall occur only if the Change in Control constitutes, in the good-faith determination of the Committee, a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, under Section 409A of the Code. If any other payment under this Plan constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and if the Plan fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2), (3) or (4) of the Code with respect to such payment, such provision shall be operated in a manner that, in the good-faith determination of the Committee, seeks to bring the provision into compliance with those requirements while preserving as closely as possible the original intent of the provision.

 

(d) Limitation of Liability. The Committee and the Board, and each member thereof, shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or Employee, the Company’s independent auditors, Consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee and the Board, and any officer or Employee acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee or the Board, shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.

 

4. Shares Subject to Plan.

 

 

  

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(a) Limitation on Overall Number of Shares Available for Delivery Under Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c) hereof, the total number of Shares reserved and available for delivery under the Plan shall be 5,050,000 provided, however, that 1,500,000 shall be reserved solely for issuance to members of the Board unless otherwise approved by the unanimous consent of the Board. Any Shares delivered under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.

 

(b) Application of Limitation to Grants of Award. No Award may be granted if the number of Shares to be delivered in connection with such an Award or, in the case of an Award relating to Shares but settled only in cash, the number of Shares to which such Award relates, exceeds the number of Shares remaining available for delivery under the Plan, minus the number of Shares deliverable in settlement of or relating to then outstanding Awards. The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of substitute awards) and make adjustments if the number of Shares actually delivered differs from the number of Shares previously counted in connection with an Award.

 

(c) Availability of Shares Not Delivered under Awards and Adjustments to Limits.

 

     (i) If any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without issuance of such Shares, or any Award is settled for cash or otherwise does not result in the issuance of all or a portion of the Shares subject to such Award, such Shares shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration, termination, cash settlement or non-issuance, again be available for Awards under the Plan.

 

     (ii) In the event that any Option or other Award granted hereunder is exercised through the tendering of Shares (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, or withholding tax liabilities arising from such option or other award are satisfied by the tendering of Shares (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, then only the number of Shares issued net of the Shares tendered or withheld shall be counted for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for grant under the Plan.

 

     (iii) Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market using Option Proceeds shall be available for Awards under the Plan. The increase in Shares available pursuant to the repurchase of Shares with Option Proceeds shall not be greater than the amount of such proceeds divided by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise of the Option giving rise to such Option Proceeds.

 

     (iv) Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan or authorized for grant to a Participant in any period. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Related Entity or with which the Company or any Related Entity combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for delivery pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may, subject to the provisions of the Plan, be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for delivery under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Employees or Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

     (v) [Reserved]

 

 

  

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     (vi) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4(c) to the contrary and solely for purposes of determining whether Shares are available for the delivery of Incentive Stock Options, the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be granted under this Plan shall be determined without regard to any Shares restored pursuant to this Section 4(c) that, if taken into account, would cause the Plan to fail the requirement under Code Section 422 that the Plan designate a maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued.

 

5. Eligibility; Per-Person Award Limitations. Awards may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Persons.

 

6. Specific Terms of Awards.

 

(a) General. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10(e)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service and terms permitting a Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award; provided that any such election may not adjust the exercise price of the Award or result in the deferral of compensation. Subject to the provisions of this Section 6, the Committee shall retain full power and discretion to accelerate, waive or modify, at any time, any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under the Plan. Except in cases in which the Committee is authorized to require other forms of consideration under the Plan, or to the extent other forms of consideration must be paid to satisfy the requirements of Colorado law, no consideration other than services may be required for the grant (but not the exercise) of any Award.

 

(b) Options. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to any Eligible Person on the following terms and conditions:

 

     (i) Exercise Price. Other than in connection with Substitute Awards, the exercise price per Share purchasable under an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the Option and shall not, in any event, be less than the par value of a Share on the date of grant of the Option. If an Employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively) and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Employee, the exercise price of such Incentive Stock Option (to the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value a Share on the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

 

    (ii) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the time or times at which Options shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Continuous Service or upon other conditions, the methods by which the exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid (including in the discretion of the Committee a cashless exercise procedure) and the form of such payment.

 

     (iii) Incentive Stock Options. The terms of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no term of the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the Plan or any Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, unless the Participant has first requested, or consents to, the change that will result in such disqualification. Thus, if and to the extent required to comply with Section 422 of the Code, Options granted as Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the following special terms and conditions:

 

 

  

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(A) the Option shall not be exercisable more than ten years after the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted; provided, however, that if a Participant owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively) and the Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Participant, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be (to the extent required by the Code at the time of the grant) for no more than five years from the date of grant;

 

(B) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan and all other option plans of the Company (and any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively) during any calendar year exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year shall not (to the extent required by the Code at the time of the grant) exceed $100,000.

 

     (iv) Grants to Outside Directors and Executive Committee Members.

 

(A) The Company reserves the right to grant Options as follows: (1) each Outside Director who serves as a member of the Board may receive an Option as determined by the Committee, (2) each member of the Executive Committee who serves as a member of the Executive Committee may receive an Option as determined by the Committee; and (3) the person who serves as the Chairman of the Executive Committee may receive, in addition to any Options granted pursuant to (1) and (2) above, an Option as determined by the Committee. A Participant who serves in more than one capacity shall be eligible for the foregoing awards applicable to each capacity in which the individual serves. Options granted under this Section 6(b)(iv)(A) shall become exercisable in such equal installments on each of the anniversaries of the date on which the Option is granted as may be determined by the Committee. An Outside Director or member of the Executive Committee who previously was an Employee shall be eligible to receive grants under this Section 6(b)(iv)(A).

 

(B) Exercise Price. The exercise price under all Options granted to an Outside Director or member of the Executive Committee under this Section 6(b)(iv) shall be equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date on which the Option is granted, payable in one of the forms determined by the Committee.

 

(C) Term. All Options granted to an Outside Director or member of the Executive Committee under this Section 6(b)(iv) shall terminate on the earliest of (a) the 10th anniversary of the date on which the Option is granted, (b) the date three (3) months after the termination of the service of the Outside Director or member of the Executive Committee for any reason other than death or total and permanent Disability or (c) the date 12 months after the termination of such service because of death or total and permanent Disability.

 

(D) Other Awards. Outside Directors and members of the Executive Committee shall be eligible to receive any other Options or other Awards awarded by the Committee pursuant to this Plan.

 

 

  

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     (v) Unless otherwise provided in any Option Agreement, the Committee may change the terms of Options outstanding under this Plan, with respect to the option price or the number of Shares subject to the Options, or both, when, in the Committee’s sole discretion, such adjustments become appropriate so as to preserve benefits under the Plan; provided, however, that any such change shall not:

 

(i) reduce the exercise price of an Option below the Fair Market Value of the Share subject to such Option on the date of issuance of the Option;

 

(ii) modify the Option within the meaning of Treasury Regulations § 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(B);

 

(iii) create a feature for the deferral of compensation that is inconsistent with Treasury Regulations § 1.409A-1(b)(5); or

 

(iv) reduce or limit a participant’s rights or benefits under the Plan or any award agreement.

 

(c) Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Awards to any Eligible Person on the following terms and conditions:

 

     (i) Grant and Restrictions. Restricted Stock Awards shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose, or as otherwise provided in this Plan, covering a period of time specified by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”). The terms of any Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in a written Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan. The restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine at the date of grant. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the Plan and any Award Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Award or as otherwise set forth in an Award Agreement, a Participant granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Committee). In the absence of any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement, dividends shall be paid no later than March 15 following the calendar year in which such dividends are declared. During the Restriction Period, subject to Section 10(b) below, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant.

 

     (ii) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or as set forth in an Award Agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service during the applicable Restriction Period, the Participant’s Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to a risk of forfeiture that has not lapsed or otherwise been satisfied shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock Awards shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes.

 

     (iii) Certificates for Stock. Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted Stock.

 

 

  

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     (iv) Dividends and Splits. As a condition to the grant of a Restricted Stock Award, the Committee may require or permit a Participant to elect that any cash dividends paid on a Share of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional Shares of Restricted Stock or applied to the purchase of additional Awards under the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Shares distributed in connection with a stock split or stock dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Shares or other property have been distributed. Any Shares distributed in connection with a stock split or stock dividend that are not subject to the restrictions and risk of forfeiture that apply to the related Restricted Stock shall be paid or distributed no later than March 15 following the calendar year in which such dividends are declared.

 

     (v) Grants to Outside Directors and Executive Committee Members. The Company reserves the right to grant an award of Restricted Stock as follows: (1) each Outside Director who serves as a member of the Board may receive a Restricted Stock Award as determined by the Committee, (2) each member of the Executive Committee who serves as a member of the Executive Committee may receive a Restricted Stock Award as determined by the Committee; and (3) the person who serves as the Chairman of the Executive Committee may receive, in addition to any Restricted Stock Awards granted pursuant to (1) and (2) above, a Restricted Stock Award as determined by the Committee. A Participant who serves in more than one capacity shall be eligible for the foregoing awards applicable to each capacity in which the individual serves. Restricted Stock Awards granted under this Section shall become exercisable in such equal installments on each of the anniversaries of the date on which the Restricted Stock Award is granted as may be determined by the Company. An Outside Director or member of the Executive Committee who previously was an Employee shall be eligible to receive grants under this Section.

 

(d) Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law and conditioned upon the Committee obtaining the advice of counsel that such grant is not likely to result in additional tax and interest under Section 409A, to grant to any Eligible Person such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Shares, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Other Stock-based Awards may be granted to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan, and such other Stock-based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Shares delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(d) shall be purchased for such consideration (including, without limitation, loans from the Company or a Related Entity provided that such loans are not in violation of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, or any rule or regulation adopted thereunder or any other applicable law) paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other Awards or other property, as the Committee shall determine.

 

7. Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards.

 

(a) Substitute and Exchanged Awards. Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Company, any Related Entity, or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or a Related Entity, or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from the Company or any Related Entity. Such substitute or exchange Awards may be granted at any time; provided, however, that the ratio of the exercise price to the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Stock right immediately after the substitution or exchange is no greater than the ratio of the exercise price to the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Stock right immediately before the substitution or exchange. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award or award, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award or award in consideration for the grant of the new Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash amounts payable under other plans of the Company or any Related Entity, in which the value of Stock subject to the Award is equivalent in value to the cash compensation (for example, Restricted Stock), or in which the exercise price, grant price or purchase price of the Award in the nature of a right that may be exercised is equal to the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock minus the value of the cash compensation surrendered (for example, Options granted with an exercise price or grant price “discounted” by the amount of the cash compensation surrendered).

 

 

  

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(b) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee; provided that in no event shall the term of any Option exceed a period of ten years (or in the case of an Incentive Stock Option such shorter term as may be required under Section 422 of the Code).

 

(c) Form and Timing of Payment Under Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a Related Entity upon the exercise of an Option or other Award or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer.

 

(d) Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability. It is the intent of the Company that the grant of any Awards to or other transaction by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exempt from Section 16 pursuant to an applicable exemption (except for transactions acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt by such Participant). Accordingly, if any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 then applicable to any such transaction, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section 16(b).

 

8. Code Section 162(m) Provisions.

 

(a) Covered Employees. The Committee, in its discretion, may determine at the time an Award is granted to an Eligible Person who is, or is likely to be, as of the end of the tax year in which the Company would claim a tax deduction in connection with such Award, a Covered Employee, that the provisions of this Section 8 shall be applicable to such Award.

 

(b) Performance Criteria. If an Award is subject to this Section 8, then the lapsing of restrictions thereon and the distribution of cash, Shares or other property pursuant thereto, as applicable, shall be contingent upon achievement of one or more objective performance goals. Performance goals shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and regulations thereunder including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals being “substantially uncertain.” One or more of the following business criteria for the Company, on a consolidated basis, and/or for Related Entities, or for business or geographical units of the Company and/or a Related Entity (except with respect to the total shareholder return and earnings per share criteria), shall be used by the Committee in establishing performance goals for such Awards: (1) earnings per share; (2) revenues or margins; (3) cash flow; (4) operating margin; (5) return on net assets, investment, capital, or equity; (6) economic value added; (7) direct contribution; (8) net income; pretax earnings; earnings before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; earnings after interest expense and before extraordinary or special items; operating income; income before interest income or expense, unusual items and income taxes, local, state or federal and excluding budgeted and actual bonuses which might be paid under any ongoing bonus plans of the Company; (9) working capital; (10) management of fixed costs or variable costs; (11) identification or consummation of investment opportunities or completion of specified projects in accordance with corporate business plans, including strategic mergers, acquisitions or divestitures; (12) total shareholder return; and (13) debt reduction. Any of the above goals may be determined on an absolute or relative basis or as compared to the performance of a published or special index deemed applicable by the Committee including, but not limited to, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index or a group of companies that are comparable to the Company. The Committee may exclude the impact of an event or occurrence which the Committee determines should appropriately be excluded, including without limitation (i) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges, (ii) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management, or (iii) a change in accounting standards required by generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

  

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(c) Performance Period; Timing For Establishing Performance Goals. Achievement of performance goals in respect of such Performance Awards shall be measured over a Performance Period no shorter than 12 months and no longer than five years, as specified by the Committee. Performance goals shall be established not later than 90 days after the beginning of any Performance Period applicable to such Performance Awards, or at such other date as may be required or permitted for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).

 

(d) Adjustments. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with Awards subject to this Section 8, but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount payable to a Covered Employee in respect of an Award subject to this Section 8. At the time of grant of an Award, the Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of Continuous Service by the Participant.

 

(e) Committee Certification. No Participant shall receive any payment under the Plan unless the Committee has certified, by resolution or other appropriate action in writing, that the performance criteria and any other material terms previously established by the Committee or set forth in the Plan, have been satisfied to the extent necessary to qualify as “performance based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).

 

9. Change in Control.

 

(a) Effect of “Change in Control.” Subject to Section 9(a)(iv), upon the occurrence of a “Change in Control,” as defined in Section 9(b):

 

     (i) Any Option that was not previously vested and exercisable as of the time of the Change in Control, shall become immediately vested and exercisable, subject to applicable restrictions set forth in Section 10(a) hereof.

 

     (ii) Any restrictions and forfeiture conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award subject only to future service requirements granted under the Plan shall lapse and such Awards shall be deemed fully vested as of the time of the Change in Control.

 

     (iii) With respect to any outstanding Award subject to achievement of performance goals and conditions under the Plan, the Committee shall determine whether the applicable performance goals and conditions have been satisfied in connection with the Change in Control.

 

     (iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if in the event of a Change in Control the successor company assumes or substitutes for an Option or Restricted Stock Award, then each outstanding Option or Restricted Stock Award shall not be accelerated as described in Sections 9(a)(i), (ii) and (iii). For the purposes of this Section 9(a)(iv), an Option or Restricted Stock Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if following the Change in Control the award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Option or Restricted Stock Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor company or its parent or subsidiary, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor company or its parent or subsidiary, provide that the consideration to be received upon the exercise or vesting of an Option or Restricted Stock Award for each Share subject thereto, will be solely common stock of the successor company or its parent or subsidiary substantially equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Shares in the transaction constituting a Change in Control. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Committee. Any assumption or substitution of an Option pursuant to this Section 9(a)(iv) shall be designed to meet the requirements of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(D).

 

 

  

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(b) Definition of “Change in Control.” Unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:

 

     (i) The acquisition by any Person of Beneficial Ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities) (the foregoing Beneficial Ownership hereinafter being referred to as a “Controlling Interest”); provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 9(b), the following acquisitions shall not constitute or result in a Change of Control: (v) any acquisition directly from the Company; (w) any acquisition by the Company; (x) any acquisition by any Person that as of the Effective Date owns Beneficial Ownership of a Controlling Interest or any acquisition of any common shares by BOCO Investments, LLC or GDBA Investments, LLLP;(y) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary; or (z) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii) below; or

 

     (ii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of 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 subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, and (B) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any Person that as of the Effective Date owns Beneficial Ownership of a Controlling Interest) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of 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; or

 

 

  

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     (iv) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

10. General Provisions.

 

(a) Compliance With Legal and Other Requirements. The Company may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee, postpone the issuance or delivery of Shares or payment of other benefits under any Award until completion of such registration or qualification of such Shares or other required action under any federal or state law, rule or regulation, listing or other required action with respect to any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares or other Company securities are listed or quoted, or compliance with any other obligation of the Company, as the Committee, may consider appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations, furnish such information and comply with or be subject to such other conditions as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Shares or payment of other benefits in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, listing requirements, or other obligations.

 

(b) Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries. No Award or other right or interest granted under the Plan shall be pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or subject to any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant to any party, or assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or to a Beneficiary upon the death of a Participant, and such Awards or rights that may be exercisable shall be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative, except that Awards and other rights (other than Incentive Stock Options) may be transferred to one or more Beneficiaries or other transferees during the lifetime of the Participant, and may be exercised by such transferees in accordance with the terms of such Award Agreement. A Beneficiary, transferee, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee.

 

(c) Adjustments. In the event that any extraordinary dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares and/or such other securities of the Company, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it deems equitable, substitute, exchange or adjust any or all of (A) the number and kind of Shares which may be delivered in connection with Awards granted thereafter, (B) the number and kind of Shares by which annual per-person Award limitations are measured under Section 5 hereof, (C) the number and kind of Shares subject to or deliverable in respect of outstanding Awards and (D) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award and/or make provision for payment of cash or other property in respect of any outstanding Award; provided, however, that the ratio of the exercise price to the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Stock right immediately after the substitution, exchange or adjustment is no greater than the ratio of the exercise price to the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Stock right immediately before the substitution, exchange or adjustment.

 

(d) Taxes. The Company and any Related Entity are authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Shares, or any payroll or other payment to a Participant, amounts of withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company or any Related Entity and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award.

 

 

  

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(e) Changes to the Plan and Awards. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan, or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under the Plan, without the consent of shareholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Board action if such shareholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation (including, without limitation, Rule 16b-3 or Code Section 162(m)) or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares may then be listed or quoted, and the Board may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other such changes to the Plan to shareholders for approval; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted and any Award Agreement relating thereto, except as otherwise provided in the Plan; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee or the Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under such Award.

 

(f) Limitation on Rights Conferred Under Plan. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Company or a Related Entity; (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or a Related Entity to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s Continuous Service at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and Employees, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred Shares in accordance with the terms of an Award.

 

(g) Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant or obligation to deliver Shares pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company; provided that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash, Shares, other Awards or other property, or make other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations under the Plan. Such trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant. The trustee of such trusts may be authorized to dispose of trust assets and reinvest the proceeds in alternative investments, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may specify and in accordance with applicable law.

 

(h) Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable including incentive arrangements and awards which do not qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(i) Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

(j) Section 409A of the Code. The Plan shall be administered, operated, and interpreted such that all Awards granted hereunder are not considered deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and the Committee shall have the discretion, subject to the written consent of an affected Participant, to modify or amend any Award granted hereunder and any Award Agreement (and may do so retroactively); provided that any such modification or amendment is necessary to cause such Award to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and does not materially and adversely affect the rights of such affected Participant.

 

 

  

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(k) Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan, and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws, and applicable federal law.

 

(l) Non-U.S. Laws. The Committee shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures, and sub-plans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws of foreign countries in which the Company or its Subsidiaries may operate to assure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants performing services in such countries and to meet the objectives of the Plan.

 

(m) Plan Effective Date and Shareholder Approval; Termination of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date, subject to subsequent approval, within 12 months of its adoption by the Board, by shareholders of the Company eligible to vote in the election of directors, by a vote sufficient to meet the requirements of Code Sections 162(m) (if applicable) and 422, Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (if applicable), applicable requirements under the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares may be listed or quoted, and other laws, regulations, and obligations of the Company applicable to the Plan. Awards may be granted subject to shareholder approval, but may not be exercised or otherwise settled in the event the shareholder approval is not obtained. The Plan shall terminate at the earliest of (a) such time as no Shares remain available for issuance under the Plan, (b) termination of this Plan by the Board, or (c) the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Awards outstanding upon expiration of the Plan shall remain in effect until they have been exercised or terminated, or have expired.

 

  

16ex-10.htm

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made by and between Cyberonics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and               (“Executive”).

The Company desires to maintain Executive’s employment as the Company’s Vice President,              ,and to encourage Executive’s attention and dedication to the Company as a member of the Company’s executive management, in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders;

Executive desires to accept employment with the Company;

The Company and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions on which Executive is employed by the Company from and after the Effective Date.

This Agreement contemplates that Executive is a key employee of the Company.  As such, the Company will continue to make available to Executive confidential information and will continue to make a substantial investment in Executive for the benefit of the Company and its shareholders.  The Company and Executive recognize that the goodwill derived therefrom is a valuable asset of the Company.  The Company and Executive agree that such confidential information and goodwill are entitled to protection during the term of this Agreement and for a reasonable time thereafter. Company acknowledges that Executive brings to the Company his experience and his non-confidential general knowledge of the medical device industry.

The Company and Executive are sophisticated business persons.  Each has been advised by counsel with respect to this Agreement, including the post-termination restrictions and acknowledges that these restrictions are appropriate protection of the Company’s confidential information and goodwill, and that Executive has entered into this Agreement fully knowing the effect of such restrictions and voluntarily accepting the restrictions, which the parties believe to be reasonable in temporal and geographic scope.

  

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Now, therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of such consideration being hereby acknowledged, and for and in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and obligations contained herein, Company and Executive agree as follows:

1.           Employment.  The Company shall employ Executive as Vice President,            , and Executive hereby accepts such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2.           Term.  Unless terminated pursuant to Section 9, this Agreement shall be effective as of January 1, 2011 (the “Effective Date”) and shall terminate at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2015, the period during which this Agreement remains in effect being referred to as the “Employment Period.”  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change of Control occurs during the Employment Period, the Employment Period shall automatically continue in effect for a period of not less than one year from the date of such Change of Control.

3.           Duties.  During the Employment Period, Executive agrees to devote his full energy, attention, abilities, and productive time to the diligent performance of the duties and responsibilities ordinarily required of a     [title]               of a publicly traded company and such other duties and services on behalf of the Company, consistent with his position and customary duties as such, as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board or its designated representative.  Executive agrees and acknowledges that Executive owes fiduciary duties to the Company and will act accordingly.

  

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4.           Outside Business Activities.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, engage in any other business activity, with or without compensation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall be permitted to spend a reasonable amount of time on civic, charitable, and other non-commercial activities, and activities related to Executive’s investments, provided such activities are consistent in nature and scope as exist on the Effective Date and do not interfere with his duties and obligations under this Agreement.

5.           Base Salary.  For all services rendered by Executive during the Employment Period, the Company shall pay Executive an annual base salary of             ($ )            (the “Base Salary”) per year.  This amount shall be payable bi-weekly in equal installments, in arrears, according to the Company’s customary payroll practices, less all amounts required to be held by federal, state, or local law, and all applicable deductions authorized by Executive or required by law.  The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) shall meet at least annually to review Executive’s Base Salary.  The Base Salary, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, may be increased, but may not be decreased during the Employment Period.

6.           Annual Bonus Opportunity.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to earn a bonus payable within a reasonable period following the end of each of the Company’s fiscal years (or at such other earlier times during the year as determined by the Compensation Committee) based on the achievement of certain objectives (the “Bonus Objectives”) to be determined by the Compensation Committee within the first ninety (90) days of each such fiscal year.  Executive’s annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) for achievement of all Bonus Objectives at target (the “Target Bonus Amount”) will be fifty percent (50%) of the Base Salary paid in such fiscal year (or pro rata as to any portion of the fiscal year), but the actual amount of the Annual Bonus may exceed 50% of Base Salary or be less than 50% of Base Salary based on overachievement of the Bonus Objectives, underachievement of the Bonus Objectives, or the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  If awarded, the Annual Bonus for a fiscal year shall be paid in the fiscal year following such fiscal year after the Compensation Committee determination of the amount of the Annual Bonus, if any, but no later than the 15th day of the third month of such subsequent fiscal year and shall be subject to all amounts required to be withheld by federal, state, or local law and all applicable deductions properly authorized by Executive or required by law.

  

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7.    Benefits.  Executive shall be eligible for the following benefits:

(a)           All welfare benefit plans generally applicable to employees or senior executives of the Company, subject to the general eligibility requirements of such plans.  The Company shall have the right to amend, modify, or terminate any such plans from time to time at its discretion; provided that, such action is generally applicable to all employees.

(b)           Reimbursement of all actual, reasonable, and customary business expenses incurred during the Employment Period by Executive in performing services for the Company, including all reasonable expenses of travel on business; provided that, such expenses are incurred and accounted for in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Company.  Executive shall submit to the Company accounts and records of each such expense within thirty (30) days after the later of (i) Executive’s incurrence of such expense or (ii) Executive’s receipt of the invoice for such expense.  If such expense qualifies for reimbursement, then the Company shall reimburse Executive the expense within thirty (30) days thereafter.  In no event will such expense be reimbursed after the close of the calendar year following the calendar year in which that expense is incurred.  The amount of reimbursement to which Executive may become entitled in any one calendar year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement hereunder in any other calendar year.  Executive’s right to reimbursement cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit or payment.

(c)           Fringe benefits and perquisites (including, but not limited to, reasonable vacation time) in accordance with the plans, practices, programs, and policies of the Company from time to time in effect and which are commensurate with Executive’s position.

  

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8.    Confidential Information.  During the Employment Period, the Company shall continue to provide Executive with trade secrets and confidential information, knowledge, and data relating to the business of the Company or to the business of other entities with which the Company has a confidential relationship (including trade secrets, being collectively referred to as “Confidential Information”).  Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all Confidential Information obtained by Executive during Executive’s employment by the Company and which shall not have been or hereafter become public knowledge (other than by acts by Executive in violation of this Agreement).  Executive agrees to return all Confidential Information, including all photocopies, extracts, and summaries thereof, and any such information stored electronically on tapes, computer disks, or in any other manner to the Company at any time upon request by the Company and upon the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason.  Except as may be required or appropriate in connection with carrying out Executive’s duties under this Agreement and in furtherance of the Company’s business, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law, or as is necessary in connection with any adversarial proceeding against the Company (in which case Executive shall use his reasonable best efforts in cooperating with the Company in obtaining a protective order against disclosure by a court of competent jurisdiction), communicate or divulge any such Confidential Information to anyone other than the Company and those designated by the Company or on behalf of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may retain, upon termination of employment, information and documents of a purely personal nature relating to compensation and benefits accrued during the Employment Period.

  

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9.    Early Termination.  Notwithstanding the Employment Period established in Section 2 or any renewal or extension thereof, Executive’s employment hereunder and this Agreement may be terminated as follows:

(a)           Death.  Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon Executive’s death.

(b)           Disability.  If, as a result of Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, Executive shall have been absent from the full-time performance of his duties hereunder for a period of ninety (90) days in the aggregate during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, or where Executive shall have been absent from the full-time performance of his duties hereunder for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days and it is reasonably expected that Executive will be eligible for long-term disability benefits under a Company-sponsored disability plan, and no later than thirty (30) days after written notice is given or the end of the ninety (90)-day period, if Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties hereunder on a full-time basis, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment for disability.

(c)           Termination by the Company For Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause.  “Cause” shall mean (i) Executive’s material breach of any provision of this Agreement, (ii) Executive’s willful conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company’s reputation, financial condition, or business relationships, (iii) Executive’s willful failure to comply with a lawful directive of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), (iv) Executive’s failure to comply with the Company’s written policies and procedures, including the Company’s Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and its Financial Code of Ethics, (v) Executive’s fraud, dishonesty, or misappropriation involving the Company’s assets, business, customers, suppliers, or employees, (vi) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony; or, (vii) Executive’s continued failure or refusal to perform satisfactorily, or gross neglect of, Executive’s duties (other than any such failure or neglect resulting from Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness).

No termination of Executive for Cause, other than as set forth in (c)(v) or (c)(vi) above, shall be effective unless the Company shall, within ninety (90) days of sufficient facts known to it to constitute Cause, give written notice to Executive in reasonable detail of the material facts constituting Cause and the reasonable steps the Company believes necessary to cure, and thereafter Executive shall have thirty (30) business days from the date of notice to cure any such occurrence otherwise constituting Cause; provided that, no such notice and opportunity to cure is required if the Company has previously given Executive notice and opportunity to cure the same conduct.

  

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(d)           Termination by Executive for Good Reason.  Executive may terminate his employment and this Agreement for Good Reason.  “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence, without Executive’s prior written consent, of any one or more of the following:  (i) any reduction in Executive’s compensation as set forth in Section 5 hereof; (ii) an adverse change in Executive’s title, status, authority, duties, or responsibilities, provided that, changes in Executive’s title, status, authority, duties, and responsibilities necessitated solely by a change, following a Change in Control (as defined in Section 12), in the Company’s status from a publicly traded company to a subsidiary of a publicly traded company shall not by themselves be considered “adverse” within the meaning of this subsection; (iii) the failure by the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor of the Company requiring such successor to assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, as contemplated in Section 18; (iv) the failure by the Company to comply with any material provision of this Agreement; (v) the Company’s requiring Executive to relocate to an office more than 35 miles from the Company’s office to which Executive was assigned on the Effective Date; or (vi) the amendment, modification, or repeal of any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or the Bylaws of the Company as such documents exist on the Effective Date, if such amendment, modification, or repeal would adversely affect Executive’s right to indemnification by the Company; provided that, any action of the CEO to seek information directly from, or to request that a project be undertaken by, an employee reporting directly or indirectly to Executive shall not constitute "Good Reason" hereunder.

No resignation for Good Reason shall be effective unless Executive shall, within ninety (90) days of sufficient facts known to Executive to constitute Good Reason, give written notice to the CEO setting forth in reasonable detail the material facts constituting Good Reason and the reasonable steps Executive believes necessary to cure, and thereafter the Company shall have thirty (30) business days from the date of such notice to cure any such occurrence otherwise constituting Good Reason; provided that, no such notice and opportunity to cure is required if Executive has previously given the Company notice and opportunity to cure the same conduct.

  

7

  

(e)           Termination by Executive other than for Good Reason. Executive may terminate his employment other than for Good Reason by giving the Company no less than thirty (30) days prior written notice of Executive’s intent to terminate this Agreement.  As used in this Section, “other than Good Reason” shall mean for any reason not constituting Good Reason or for Good Reason but without notice and opportunity to cure as provided in subsection (d) above.

(f)           Termination by the Company without Cause.  The Company may terminate the employment relationship and this Agreement at any time by giving Executive no less than thirty (30) days prior written notice of the Company’s intent to terminate this Agreement or, in addition to any other amounts payable under this Agreement, one month of Base Salary in lieu of notice.  As used in this Section, “without Cause” shall mean for any reason not constituting Cause or for Cause but without notice and opportunity to cure, if required, as provided in subsection (c) above.

(g)           In the event of Executive’s termination, Executive and the Company, including its directors, officers, employees, representatives, attorneys, and agents shall refrain from making any public or private statement (including, as to Executive, any statement with respect to the directors, officers, employees, representatives, attorneys, and agents of the Company) that is derogatory or may tend to injure such person in its or their business, public or private affairs.  The foregoing obligations shall not apply to information required to be disclosed or requested by any governmental agency, court, or stock exchange, or any law, rule, or regulation.

(h)           If, in connection with Executive’s termination of employment with the Company, the Company determines to issue a press release, the Company agrees to provide a copy of the press release to Executive by e-mail or facsimile to review and comment on in advance of its publication; however, the Company retains sole discretion as to the content of the press release.

  

8

  

10.           Compensation Upon Termination.  In the event Executive’s employment terminates upon expiration of the Employment Period or as provided under Section 9 hereof, the Company shall pay to Executive or his estate: (i) Executive’s Base Salary through the date of termination, and (ii) any other amounts due Executive as of the date of termination, in each case to the extent not previously paid.  The Company shall also provide additional compensation (the “Severance Benefits”) as provided below.

(a)           Death or Disability.  Upon termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Sections 9(a) or 9(b) hereof, (i) the restrictions on all of Executive’s time-based vesting equity awards, including restricted stock and stock options, shall lapse, the unvested portion of each such award vesting immediately and being immediately tradable or exercisable, as the case may be.  Thereafter, the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive or his estate other than as may be required by law.

(b)           By the Company for Cause.  If during the Employment Period the Company terminates Executive for Cause pursuant to Section 9(c), the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive other than as may be required by law.

(c)           By Executive other than for Good Reason.  If during the Employment Period Executive terminates his employment other than for Good Reason pursuant to Section 9(e), the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive other than as may be required by law.

(d)           By the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 11, if either the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause, or Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, then the Company shall pay and provide to Executive the following benefits:

(i)           a payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of (A) Base Salary and (B) the average bonus amount paid Executive for the past two fiscal years (or, if the termination occurs prior to the second anniversary of the date Executive commences employment at the Company, sixty percent (60%) of the Target Bonus Amount for the year of termination).  Subject to the holdback and interest provisions of  Section 23, such payment shall be made on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s Separation from Service provided that the Release required under Section 10(e) has become effective during such sixty (60)-day period following any applicable revocation period;

  

9

  

(ii)           the restrictions on that number of shares of time-based vesting equity awards, including restricted stock and stock options, shall immediately lapse as would otherwise have lapsed if Executive had remained employed with the Company for a period through the date that is twelve (12) months from the date of termination;

(iii)           provided that Executive and/or his eligible dependents timely elects to continue their healthcare coverage under the Company’s group health plan pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”), the Company shall reimburse Executive for the costs incurred to obtain such continued coverage for himself and his eligible dependents for a period of twelve months measured from the termination date.  In order to obtain reimbursement for such healthcare coverage costs, Executive shall submit appropriate evidence to the Company of each periodic payment within thirty (30) days after the payment date, and the Company shall within thirty (30) days after such submission reimburse Executive for that payment.  During the period such healthcare coverage remains in effect hereunder, the following provisions shall govern the arrangement: (a) the amount of coverage costs eligible for reimbursement in any one calendar year of such coverage shall not affect the amount of coverage costs eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year for which such  reimbursement is to be provided hereunder; (ii) no coverage costs shall be reimbursed after the close of the calendar year following the calendar year in which those coverage costs were incurred; and (iii) Executive’s right to the reimbursement of such coverage costs cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.  To the extent the reimbursed coverage costs constitute taxable income to Executive, the Company shall report the reimbursement as taxable W-2 wages and collect the applicable withholding taxes, and any remaining tax liability shall be Executive’s sole responsibility, provided that the reimbursed coverage costs shall not be considered as taxable income to Executive if such treatment is permissible under applicable law; and

(iv)           waiver of the requirement, if any, to repay relocation benefits as otherwise required by the Company’s Relocation Policy with such waiver to occur on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s Separation from Service provided that the Release required under Section 10(e) has become effective during such sixty (60)-day period following any applicable revocation period.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Separation from Service" shall mean Executive’s separation from service as determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) and the applicable standards of the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder.

  

10

  

(e)           The Severance Benefits payable to Executive under subsection (d) shall be in lieu of any other severance benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled upon his termination of employment under any severance plan, program, policy, practice, or arrangement of the Company.  Payment of the Severance Benefits herein is contingent upon Executive’s execution of a full and complete release substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto within twenty-one (21) days (or forty-five (45) days if such longer period is required under applicable law) after the date of termination and such Release becoming effective and enforceable in accordance with applicable law after the expiration of any applicable revocation period.

11.           Conduct Detrimental to the Company.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company and its shareholders need to protect themselves from Conduct Detrimental to the Company and the provisions of this Section are designed to protect the Company and its shareholders from Conduct Detrimental to the Company.

(a)           Executive agrees that if Executive engages in Conduct Detrimental to the Company (as defined in subsection (c)) during the Employment Period, Executive shall disgorge and return to the Company, upon demand, that number of shares of restricted stock or options to purchase shares of Company stock on which restrictions lapsed after the date on which the Company establishes, by a preponderance of the evidence, Executive first engaged in Conduct Detrimental to the Company, less the net effect of any taxes paid by Executive (taking into account the initial taxes paid and the tax effect of the disgorgement), or if Executive does not then own that number of shares, the amount of the cash proceeds received by Executive from his most recent sale of a like number of the shares, less the net tax effect as stated above.  Executive understands and agrees that this Section does not prohibit Executive from competing with the Company or soliciting the Company’s employees, but requires only a return of equity in the event of such competition or solicitation. Executive understands and agrees that the return of shares is in addition to and separate from any other relief available to the Company under the terms of this Agreement.

  

11

  

(b)           The Company shall have no obligation to pay Executive the Severance Benefits pursuant to Section 10(d), and Executive agrees to repay any portion of such Severance Benefits previously paid, for any period that the Company establishes, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Executive engaged in Conduct Detrimental to the Company.  Executive understands and agrees that this Section does not prohibit Executive from competing with the Company or soliciting the Company’s employees, but requires only return of the Severance Benefit for the period of such competition or solicitation.

(c)           “Conduct Detrimental to the Company,” as used in this Section, means:

	
  

	
(i)

	
conduct that results in Executive’s termination for Cause as defined in Section 9(c) (or that would have resulted in termination for Cause if known by the Company prior to the termination of Executive’s employment);

 

	
  

	
(ii)

	
Executive engages in conduct in violation of Section 8 of this Agreement; or

 

	
  

	
(iii)

	
Executive engages in conduct in violation of Section 13 of this Agreement.

 

12.           Change of Control.

 

(a)           In the event a Change of Control of the Company occurs during the Employment Period, the forfeiture restrictions on all shares of the time-based vesting restricted stock as to which such restrictions remain in place shall lapse immediately, and all unvested stock options shall vest immediately.

  

12

  

(b)           If, within one year following a Change of Control, either the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause, or Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, then the Company shall pay and provide to Executive the benefits and rights provided in Section 10(d), except that in lieu of the amount set forth in Section 10(d)(i), the amount shall equal two times the sum of (A) Base Salary and (B) the Target Bonus Amount in effect at the time of termination.

(c)           For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” of the Company shall mean:

	
  

	
(i)

	
the acquisition by any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), other than the Company, a subsidiary of the Company or a Company employee benefit plan, of “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company which, together with any securities held by the person, represents 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or

 

	
  

	
(ii)

	
the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other form of corporate transaction or series of transactions, in each case, with respect to which persons who were the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation or other transaction do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company’s then outstanding voting securities in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such event; or

 

	
  

	
(iii)

	
the closing of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company’s assets; or

 

	
  

	
(iv)

	
a change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which less than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors.  “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the Effective Date, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, thereafter to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination, but “Incumbent Director” shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with (i) an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board or (ii) a plan or agreement to replace a majority of the then Incumbent  Directors; or

 

  

13

  

	
  

	
(v)

	
the approval by the Board or the stockholders of the Company of a complete or substantially complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

13.           Post-Termination Restrictions.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has a substantial and legitimate interest in protecting the Company’s Confidential Information and goodwill.  Executive and the Company further acknowledge and agree that the provisions of this Section are reasonably necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests and are designed to protect the Company’s Confidential Information and goodwill during the Employment Period and for a period following the Employment Period (such period following the Employment Period, the “Restricted Period”).  The Restricted Period for the Non-Competition Covenant shall be one (1) year from the date of termination of the Agreement, and the Restricted Period for the Non-Solicitation Covenant shall be two (2) years from the date of termination of the Agreement.

(a)           Non-Competition Covenant.  Executive shall not engage in, or otherwise directly or indirectly be employed by or act as a consultant or lender to, or be a director, officer, employee, principal, agent,  member, owner, or partner of, or permit his name to be used in connection with the activities of any other business, organization, or entity which engages, directly or indirectly, with any “Competitive Business” as defined in subsection (c) during the Employment Period or the Restricted Period; provided, that it shall not be a violation of this Section for Executive to become the registered or beneficial owner of up to one percent (1%) of any class of the capital stock of a corporation registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provided that Executive does not actively participate in the business of such corporation until such time as the Restricted Period expires.

  

14

  

(b)           Non-Solicitation Covenant.  Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for his benefit or for the benefit of any other person, firm, entity, or business solicit, recruit, advise, attempt to influence, or otherwise induce or persuade, directly or indirectly (including encouraging another person to influence, induce, or persuade), any person, employed by the Company to leave the employ of the Company during the Employment Period and the Restricted Period (except for those actions that are within the scope of Executive’s employment and taken on behalf of the Company).  Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from general advertising for personnel not specifically targeting any employee of the Company.

(c)           For purposes of this Section, the term “Competitive Business” means any business enterprise (whether a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other business entity) that competes in any material way with the products of the Company marketed and sold or under substantial development by the Company during the Employment Period.

Executive agrees that the scope of the restrictions as to time, geographic area, and scope of activity in this Section are reasonably necessary for the protection of the Company’s legitimate business interests and are not oppressive or injurious to the public interest.  Executive further agrees that any breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of this Section 13 would cause irreparable injury to the Company for which it would have no adequate remedy at law.  Executive agrees that in the event of a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of this Section the Company shall, notwithstanding Section 17 hereof, be entitled to injunctive relief against Executive’s activities to the extent allowed by law.  Finally, Executive further agrees that the relief available under this Section 13 is in addition to and separate from any other relief available to the Company under this Agreement, including without limitation under Section 11.

  

15

  

14.           Mandatory Executive Compensation Clawback.

(a)           Clawback.  In the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, Executive agrees to disgorge and pay back to the Company all incentive-based compensation (including stock options awarded as compensation) that Executive received during the three-year period preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare the accounting restatement, to the extent that such compensation was based on erroneous data, in excess of what would have been paid to Executive under the accounting restatement.

(b)           Survival of Termination.  This Section 14 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

(c)           Construction of Section 14.  This Section 14 is intended to implement the requirements of Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall be construed and interpreted consistent with such regulations as may be adopted thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

15.           Publicity.  Executive agrees that the Company may use, and hereby grants the Company the nonexclusive and worldwide right to use, Executive’s name, picture, likeness, photograph, or any other attribute of Executive’s persona (all of such attributes are hereafter collectively referred to as “Persona”) in any media for any advertising, publicity, or other purpose at any time, during the Employment Period.  Executive agrees that such use of his Persona will not result in any invasion or violation of any privacy or property rights Executive may have; and Executive agrees that he will receive no additional compensation for the use of his Persona.  Executive further agrees that any negatives, prints, or other material for printing or reproduction purposes prepared in connection with the use of his Persona by the Company shall be and are the sole property of the Company.

  

16

  

16.           Indemnification.  If Executive is made a party to or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that Executive is or was an officer of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, or trustee, then Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporate Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability, and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by Executive in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except with respect to proceedings to enforce his right to indemnification hereunder, the Company shall indemnify Executive in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by Executive only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

  

17

  

17.           Arbitration.  Any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including without limitation, any and all disputes, claims (whether in tort, contract, statutory, or otherwise), or disagreements concerning the interpretation or application of the provisions of this Agreement shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) then in effect for employment disputes.  The arbitration shall be conducted before a single arbitrator, who shall be a Labor and Employment Law specialist certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, selected by mutual agreement of the parties, or if not agreed within 30 days following commencement of the proceeding, appointed by the AAA.  The arbitrator shall not have the authority to alter the terms of this Agreement or to award punitive damages.  The decision of the arbitrator will be final and binding on both parties.  The Company shall pay the expenses of the AAA and the arbitrator, and the Company and Executive shall pay their own legal fees.  The arbitrator shall have the authority to award reasonable attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party.  The Company and Executive agree that the arbitration and all matters related to the arbitration shall be treated as confidential.  This arbitration provision is expressly made pursuant to and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sections 1-16 (or replacement or successor statute).  Pursuant to Section 9 of the Federal Arbitration Act, the Company and Executive agree that a judgment of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas may be entered upon the award made pursuant to the arbitration.

18.           Successors.

(a)           This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and any successor thereof (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise).  As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business or assets or any entity that otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law or by contract.

  

18

  

(b)           This Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees.  If Executive dies while any amounts are payable to him hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there is no such designee, to Executive’s estate.

19.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations, or warranties, whether oral or written, by any person in respect of such subject matter.  Any prior agreements of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein are hereby terminated and canceled.

20.           Enforcement of Agreement.  No waiver of any action with respect to any breach by the other party of any provision of this Agreement shall be construed to be a waiver of any succeeding breach of such provision, or as a waiver of the provision itself.  Should any provisions hereof be held to be invalid or wholly or partially unenforceable, such holdings shall not invalidate or void the remainder of this Agreement.  Portions held to be invalid or unenforceable shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law, and shall be revised and reduced in scope so as to be valid and enforceable, or, if such is not possible, then such portion shall be deemed to have been wholly excluded with the same force and effect as if the provision had never been included herein.

  

19

  

21.           Governing Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

22.           Notice.  All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered personally, or sent by nationally-recognized, overnight courier or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

	  	
If to Executive:

	                           
	  	  	
100 Cyberonics Blvd.

	  	  	
Houston, TX 77058

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
If to the Company:

	
Cyberonics, Inc.

	  	  	
100 Cyberonics Blvd.

	  	  	
Houston, TX 77058

	  	  	
Attn:  General Counsel

	  	  	
(281) 218-9332 (Facsimile)

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith.  All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (b) in the case of a facsimile transmission, when the party receiving such transmission shall have confirmed receipt of the communication, (c) in the case of delivery by nationally-recognized, overnight courier, on the business day following dispatch and (d) in the case of registered or certified mailing, on date actually received.

23.           Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

(a)           This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  Accordingly, all provisions herein shall be construed and interpreted to comply with Code Section 409A and if necessary, any such provision shall be deemed amended to comply with Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder.

  

20

  

(b)           Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, no payments or benefits to which Executive becomes entitled under this Agreement in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company shall be made or paid to Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the first day of the seventh (7th) month following the date of Executive’s Separation from Service due to such termination of employment or (ii) the date of Executive’s death, if Executive is deemed, pursuant to the procedures established by the Board in accordance with the applicable standards of Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and applied on a consistent basis for all non-qualified deferred compensation plans subject to Code Section 409A, to be a “specified  employee” at the time of such Separation from Service  and such delayed commencement is otherwise required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Code Section 409A(a)(2).  Upon the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2) deferral period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 23(b) shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.  In addition, if Executive is deemed to be a specified employee at the time of Separation from Service and there is an amount payable by Executive to the Company under the Company’s Relocation Policy (the "Relocation Amount"), then notwithstanding Section 10(d)(v), the following provisions shall apply:  (i) the Company shall waive the requirement to repay the portion of the Relocation Amount up to the applicable dollar amount under Code Section 402(g)(1)(B), (ii) Executive shall repay to the Company any Relocation Amounts in excess of such limit (the "Repaid Amount") and (iii) upon the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2) deferral period, the Company shall pay to Executive the Repaid Amount in a lump sum.  The specified employees subject to a delayed commencement date shall be identified on December 31 of each calendar year.  If Executive is so identified on any such December 31, he shall have specified employee status for the twelve (12)-month period beginning on April 1 of the following calendar year.

  

21

  

24.           Counterparts.  This Agreement my be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument

25.           Surviving Terms.  The rights and obligations of the parties regarding the payment or provision of benefits set forth in this Agreement upon such termination and the rights and restrictions during the period after termination shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

26.           Amendment or Modification.  No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived, or discharged unless such waiver, modification, or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and an authorized officer of the Company.

27.           Withholding.  All payments, compensation, and benefits hereunder shall be subject to any required withholding of federal, state, and local taxes pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

28.           No Waiver.  Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right that Executive or the Company may have hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of such right to insist upon strict compliance in the future.

  

22

  

	  	
Cyberonics, Inc.

	  	  
	  	  
	  	
By:     /s/ Daniel J. Moore                                  

	  	
Daniel J. Moore

	  	
President & Chief Executive Officer

	  	  
	  	  
	  	
Executive:

	  	  
	  	  
	  	                                
	  	
[Name]

 

  

23

  

EXHIBIT A

 

RELEASE

 

Executive hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, acquits, and forever discharges the Company and its affiliated companies and their directors, officers, employees, and representatives, (collectively “Releasees”), from any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, damages, causes of action, demands, costs, losses, and/or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of any nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, including, but not limited to, rights arising out of alleged violations of any contracts, express or implied, any covenant of good faith and fair dealing, express or implied, any tort, any legal restrictions on the Company’s right to terminate employees, or any federal, state, or other governmental statute, regulation, or ordinance, including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which Executive claims to have against any of the Releasees.  Executive acknowledges that the payments provided in the Agreement are in full and complete satisfaction of all contract or severance obligations that the Company may have.  In addition, Executive waives all rights and benefits afforded by any state laws which provide in substance that a general release does not extend to claims which a person does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release which, if known by him, must have materially affected Executive’s settlement with the other person.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Release shall not apply to: (i) Executive’s continuing rights under any pension or welfare plans, including his rights under COBRA, (ii) Executive’s right to enforce the surviving terms of the Employment Agreement, (iii) Executive’s right to indemnification, and (iv) claims and rights that may arise after the date of execution of this Release.

 

Executive represents and acknowledges that in executing this Release he does not rely and has not relied upon any representation or statement, oral or written, not set forth herein or in the Agreement made by any of the Releasees or by any of the Releasees’ agents, representatives, or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis, or effect of this Release, the Agreement, or otherwise.

 

Executive represents and agrees that he fully understands his right to discuss all aspects of this Release with his private attorney, that to the extent, if any, that he desires, he has availed himself of this right, that he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Release, and that he is voluntarily entering into this Release for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.

 

Executive further represents and acknowledges that Executive has twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release prior to signing.  Executive further understands that Executive may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of its execution.  This Release shall not become effective or enforceable until the seven-day revocation period has expired.

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED, on this _____ day of _______________, 20__.

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