Document:

Exhibit 10.1

                             ARETE INDUSTRIES, INC.
                  2004 OMNIBUS STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

1. PURPOSE.

The Plan is intended to provide incentive to key employees and directors of, and
key consultants,  vendors, customers, and others expected to provide significant
services  to  the  Corporation,   to  encourage   proprietary  interest  in  the
Corporation,  to  encourage  such key  employees  to remain in the employ of the
Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries,  to attract new employees  with  outstanding
qualifications,  and to afford  additional  incentive to  consultants,  vendors,
customers,  and  others to  increase  their  efforts  in  providing  significant
beneficial services to the Corporation.

2.   DEFINITIONS.

2.1  "Award"  shall mean an Option which may be  designated  an Incentive  Stock
     Option  or  a  Non-statutory  Stock  Option,  a  Purchase  Right,  a  Stock
     Appreciation Right or a Stock Payment,  in each case as granted pursuant to
     the Plan.

2.2  "Award  Agreement"  shall mean a Stock Option  Agreement,  Restricted Stock
     Agreement or a Purchase Right Agreement.

2.3  "Beneficiary" shall mean the person,  persons,  trust or trusts entitled by
     will or the laws of  descent  and  distribution  to  receive  the  benefits
     specified under the Plan in the event of a Participant's death.

2.4  "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

2.5  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

2.6  "Committee"  shall mean the  committee,  if any,  appointed by the Board in
     accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

2.7  "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Corporation.

2.8  "Corporation" shall mean Arete Industries, Inc. and its Subsidiaries.

2.9  "Disability" shall mean the condition of a Participant who is unable to (i)
     perform his or her  substantial  and  material  job duties due to injury or
     sickness or such other condition as the Board or Committee may determine in
     its sole discretion; and/or (ii) engage in any substantial gainful activity
     by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which
     can be  expected  to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected
     to last for a  continuous  period of not less than twelve (12)  months,  or
     such other meaning ascribed in Section 22(e)(3) or any successor  provision
     of the Code. If the recipient has a disability  insurance policy,  the term
     "Disability" shall be as defined therein;  provided that said definition is
     not inconsistent with the meaning ascribed in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

2.10 "Discount"  shall  mean,  with  respect to the  Purchase  Price of Purchase
     Rights,  the discount from the Fair Market Value of a Share as set forth in
     Section 8.3.

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2.11 "Dividend Equivalent" shall mean a right to receive a number of Shares or a
     cash amount,  determined as provided in Article 12 hereof.  2.12  "Eligible
     Employee"  shall mean an individual who is employed  (within the meaning of
     Code Section 3401 and the regulations thereunder) by the Corporation.

2.13 "Event" shall mean any of the following:

     (a)  Any person or entity (or group of affiliated  persons or entities) who
          acquired  in one or more  transactions,  whether  before  or after the
          Effective Date of the Plan, ownership of more than fifty percent (50%)
          of the outstanding Shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of
          directors of the Corporation; or

     (b)  The dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation or a reorganization,
          merger or  consolidation of the Corporation with one or more entities,
          as a result of which the Corporation is not the surviving entity, or a
          sale of all or  substantially  all of the assets of the Corporation as
          an entirety to another entity.

     For purposes of this definition,  ownership does not include ownership: (i)
     by a person  owning  such  Shares  merely of record  (such as a member of a
     securities exchange, a nominee or a securities  depository system), (ii) by
     a person  who is a bona  fide  pledgee  of Shares  prior to a  default  and
     determination  to  exercise  powers as an owner of the  Shares,  (iii) by a
     person who is not required to file a statement on Schedule 13D by virtue of
     Rule 13d-1(b) of the Securities and Exchange  Commission under the Exchange
     Act,  or (iv) by a  person  who  owns or  holds  Shares  as an  underwriter
     acquired  in  connection  with an  underwritten  offering  pending  and for
     purposes of resale.

2.14 "Exchange Act" shall mean the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
     from time to time.

2.15 "Exercise Price" shall mean the price per Share of Common Stock, determined
     by the Board or the Committee, at which an Award may be exercised.

     2.16 "Fair  Market  Value"  shall mean the value of one (1) Share of Common
Stock, determined as follows:

     (i)  if the Shares are traded on a national  securities  exchange or on the
          Nasdaq National Market System, the price at which Shares traded at the
          close of business on the date of  valuation,  or if the  quotation for
          the last sale  reported is not  available,  the  closing  price of the
          Shares as reported by Nasdaq; or

     (ii) if the Shares are traded  over-the-counter  on the NASDAQ System,  the
          closing bid price if one is available, or the mean between the bid and
          asked  prices on said  system at the close of  business on the date of
          valuation; or

     (iii)if  neither  (i) nor (ii)  above  applies,  the Fair  Market  Value as
          determined  by  the  Board  or  the  Committee  in  good  faith.  Such
          determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

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     (iv) Fair  Market  Value  shall  be  determined   without   regard  to  any
          restriction  other than a restriction  which, by its terms, will never
          lapse.  In the  case  of  Bonuses  and/or  Options  granted  with  the
          corresponding  shares of  common  stock not  covered  by an  effective
          registration  statement,  Fair Market Value may be  determined  by the
          Committee at a reasonable discount to reflect the restricted nature of
          the shares to be issued and the  inability  of the  Recipient  to sell
          those shares  promptly.  2.17  "Incentive  Stock Option" shall mean an
          option described in Section 422A(b) of the Code.

2.18 "Nonstatutory  Stock  Option" shall mean an option not described in Section
     422(b), 422A(b), 423(b) or 424(b) of the Code.

2.19 "Option"  shall mean either an  Incentive  Stock  Option or a  Nonstatutory
     Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.

2.20 "Participant"  shall mean an Eligible  Employee or any other person who has
     been granted an Award under the Plan.

2.21 "Performance  Award"  shall  mean  a  cash  bonus,  stock  bonus  or  other
     performance or incentive award that is paid in cash, stock or a combination
     of both.

2.22 "Plan" shall mean this 2004 Omnibus Stock Option and Incentive  Plan, as it
     may be amended from time to time.

2.23 "Purchase  Price" shall mean the Exercise  Price times the number of Shares
     with respect to which an Award is exercised.

2.24 "Purchase  Right"  shall  mean the  grant to an  Employee  of the  right to
     purchase Shares under the Plan.

2.25 "Restricted  Stock" shall mean those Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted
     Stock Award that are not free of the  restrictions set forth in the related
     Restricted Stock Agreement.

2.26 "Restricted  Stock  Award"  shall mean an award of a fixed number of shares
     subject to  payment  of such  consideration,  if any,  and such  forfeiture
     provisions, as are set forth in the related Restricted Stock Agreement.

2.27 "Retirement"  shall mean the  voluntary  termination  of  employment  by an
     Employee upon the attainment of age  sixty-five  (65) and the completion of
     not less than  twenty  (20)  years of  service  with the  Corporation  or a
     Subsidiary.

2.28 "Share"  shall mean one (1) share of Common  Stock,  adjusted in accordance
     with Section 15.3 of the Plan (if applicable).

2.29 "Securities  Act" shall mean the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended from
     time to time.

2.30 "Stock  Appreciation  Right"  shall  mean the right to  receive a number of
     Shares or a cash amount,  or a combination  of Shares and cash,  based upon
     the Fair Market Value, book value or other measure  determined by the Board
     or the Committee, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.

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2.31 "Stock  Payment" shall mean a payment in the form of Shares,  or a Purchase
     Right, as part of a deferred  compensation  arrangement made in lieu of all
     or any  portion  of the  compensation,  including  without  limitation  the
     salary, bonuses or commissions, that would otherwise become payable in cash
     to an Eligible Employee or Participant.

2.32 "Subsidiary"  shall mean any  corporation  at least thirty percent (30%) of
     the total combined  voting power of which is owned by the Corporation or by
     another subsidiary.  Subsidiary shall also include any partnership, limited
     liability  company  or other  independent  business  entity  in  which  the
     Corporation has a controlling or majority interest.

2.33 "Tax Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.3 hereof.

3.   TERM AND EFFECTIVE DATE.

The Plan was  proposed  by the  Board of  Directors  on  August  4,  2004 and is
proposed  to be adopted by the  Corporation's  shareholders  at the next  annual
meeting of shareholders.  The Effective Date of the Plan shall be August 4, 2004
(the "Effective Date").

Options  and  Bonuses  may be  granted  under  this Plan from time to time until
August  4,  2007,  which is three  years  from the date the Plan was  originally
adopted by the Board.

4. ADMINISTRATION.

4.1  The Plan shall be  administered  by the Board in compliance with Rule 16b-3
     of the Exchange Act ("Rule 16b-3") if applicable to the Corporation at such
     time, or by a Committee  appointed by the Board,  which  Committee shall be
     constituted  to permit  the Plan to  comply  with  Rule  16b-3,  applicable
     provisions  of the Code and which shall  consist of not less than three (3)
     members.  The Board shall appoint one (1) of the members of the  Committee,
     if there be one, as Chairman of the Committee, who may, but is not required
     to be a "Disinterested Director" as defined in the Code or Rule 16b-3. If a
     Committee has been  appointed,  the  Committee  shall hold meetings at such
     times and places as it may  determine.  Acts of a majority of the Committee
     at which a quorum is present,  or acts reduced to or approved in writing by
     a  majority  of the  members  of the  Committee  shall be valid acts of the
     Committee. The Board, or the Committee, if there be one, shall from time to
     time at its discretion select the Eligible Employees, consultants and other
     Participants  who are to be granted Awards,  determine the number of Shares
     or cash, or the combination  thereof,  to be applicable to such Award,  and
     designate  any Options as Incentive  Stock  Options or  Nonstatutory  Stock
     Options,  except  that  no  Incentive  Stock  Option  may be  granted  to a
     non-employee director or a non-employee  consultant.  A member of the Board
     or Committee  member  shall in no event  participate  in any  determination
     relating  to Awards  held by or to be granted  to such  Board or  Committee
     member;  however,  a member of the  Board or a  Committee  member  shall be
     entitled to receive Awards approved by the  shareholders in accordance with
     the provisions of Rule 16b-3.  The  interpretation  and construction by the
     Board,  or by the Committee,  if there be one, of any provision of the Plan
     or of any Award granted  thereunder  shall be final. No member of the Board
     or the Committee shall be liable for any action or

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     determination  made in good  faith  with  respect  to the Plan or any Award
     granted thereunder. In addition to any right of indemnification provided by
     the Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws of the  Corporation,  such person
     shall be indemnified  and held harmless by the  Corporation  from any loss,
     cost,  liability or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred
     by him in connection with any claim, suit, action or proceeding to which he
     may be a party by reason of any action or omission under the Plan.

4.2  Options,  Bonuses or other Award  granted under the Plan shall be evidenced
     by duly adopted resolutions of the Committee included in the minutes of the
     meeting at which they are adopted or in a unanimous written consent.

4.3  By resolution, the Committee may delegate to one or more executive officers
     the power to grant options or stock bonuses to  employees,  consultants  or
     advisors of the Corporation; provided, however, that grants to directors or
     executive  officers  of the  Corporation,  or any other  person  subject to
     Section 16 of the Exchange Act may not be made  pursuant to such  delegated
     authority.  With  respect to persons  subject to Section 16 of the Exchange
     Act,  transactions  under  this  Plan  are  intended  to  comply  with  all
     applicable  conditions of Rule 16b-3 or any successor  regulation under the
     Exchange  Act.  To the extent any  provision  of this Plan or action by the
     Committee  fails to so  comply,  it shall be deemed  null and void,  to the
     extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.  Any Option,
     Bonus or other Award granted  hereunder which would subject or subjects the
     Participant to liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act is void AB
     INITIO as if it had never been granted.

4.4  No member of the Committee or the Board, nor any agent, shall be liable for
     any action  taken or  determination  made in good faith with respect to the
     Plan or any Option or Bonus granted hereunder.

4.5  The  Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more
     agents  such  administrative  duties  as it may  deem  advisable,  and  the
     Committee or any person to whom it has  delegated  duties as aforesaid  may
     employ  one  or  more  persons  to  render   advice  with  respect  to  any
     responsibility the Committee or such person may have under the Plan.

5.   PARTICIPATION.

5.1  Eligibility.  Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 5.2 below, the
     Participants  shall be such persons as the  shareholders  may approve or as
     the Board or  Committee  may  select  from among the  following  classes of
     persons:  (i) Employees of the  Corporation or of a Subsidiary  (who may be
     officers,  whether  or  not  they  are  directors)  and  directors  of  the
     Corporation or of a Subsidiary; and (ii) Consultants,  vendors,  customers,
     and others expected to provide significant services to the Corporation or a
     Subsidiary.  In determining the persons to whom Awards shall be granted and
     the  number of shares to be covered  by each such  Award,  the Board or the
     Committee  as the case may be,  shall take into  account  the duties of the
     respective  persons,  their  present  and  potential  contributions  to the
     success  of the  Corporation  and such  other  factors  as the Board or the
     Committee,  as the case may be,  shall  deem  relevant  to  accomplish  the
     purposes of the Plan.

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     For purposes of this Plan, an Eligible  Employee,  or other Participant who
     is a  director  or an  officer,  consultant,  vendor,  customer,  or  other
     provider of significant  services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary  shall
     be deemed to be an  Eligible  Employee  or  Participant,  and service as an
     officer,  director,  consultant,  vendor,  customer,  or other  provider of
     significant  services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary shall be deemed to
     be  employment,  except that no Incentive  Stock Option may be granted to a
     non-employee  director or non-employee  consultant,  vendor,  customer,  or
     other provider of significant  services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary,
     and  except  that  no  Nonstatutory  Stock  Option  may  be  granted  to  a
     non-employee  director or non-employee  consultant,  vendor,  customer,  or
     other provider of significant  services to the  Corporation or a Subsidiary
     other  than upon a vote of a majority  of  disinterested  directors  and/or
     Committee members, if there shall be a Committee, finding that the value of
     the services  rendered or to be rendered to the Corporation or a Subsidiary
     by such non-employee director or non-employee consultant, vendor, customer,
     or other  provider of services is at least equal to the value of the Awards
     granted.

5.2  Ten-Percent Shareholders. An Eligible Employee or Participant who owns more
     than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
     outstanding stock of the Corporation, its parent or any of its Subsidiaries
     shall not be eligible  to receive an Award for an  Incentive  Stock  Option
     unless (i) the  Exercise  Price of the  Shares  subject to such Award is at
     least one  hundred  ten  percent  (110%) of the Fair  Market  Value of such
     Shares  on the date of  grant:  and  (ii)  such  Award by its  terms is not
     exercisable  after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.

5.3  Stock  Ownership.  For purposes of Section 5.2 above, in determining  stock
     ownership,  an Eligible  Employee or  Participant  shall be  considered  as
     owning the stock owned,  directly or  indirectly,  by or for a corporation,
     partnership,   estate  or  trust  shall  be   considered   as  being  owned
     proportionately  by or for its  shareholders,  partners  or  beneficiaries.
     Stock with respect to which such Eligible  Employee or Participant holds an
     Award shall not be counted.

5.4  Outstanding Stock. For purposes of Section 5.2 above,  "Outstanding  stock"
     shall include all stock actually issued and outstanding  immediately  after
     the grant of the Award to the  Participant.  "Outstanding  stock" shall not
     include shares authorized for issue under  outstanding  Options or Purchase
     Rights held by the Participant or by any other person.

6.   STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

     The stock  subject to Awards  granted under the Plan shall be Shares of the
     Corporation's  authorized  but unissued or  reacquired  Common  Stock.  The
     aggregate number of Shares that may be issued as Awards or upon exercise of
     Awards under the Plan shall not exceed Fifty  Million  (50,000,000)  common
     shares.  The  number  of  Shares  subject  to  unexercised  Options,  Stock
     Appreciation   Rights  or  Purchase  Rights  (plus  the  number  of  Shares
     previously  issued  under the Plan) shall not at any time exceed the number
     of Shares  available  for  issuance  under the Plan.  In the event that any
     unexercised  Option,  Stock  Appreciation  Right or Purchase  Right, or any
     portion thereof, for any reason expires or is terminated,  or if any Shares
     subject to a Restricted  Stock Award do not vest or are not delivered,  the
     unexercised or unvested Shares allocable to such

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     Option, Stock Appreciation Right,  Purchase Right or Restricted Stock Award
     may  again  be made  subject  to any  Award.  Any  Shares  withheld  by the
     Corporation  pursuant to Section 15.3 shall not be deemed to be issued. The
     number of withheld  Shares shall be deducted from the applicable  Award and
     shall not  entitle  the  Participant  to  receive  additional  Shares.  The
     limitations established by this Article 6 shall be subject to adjustment in
     the manner  provided in Section 14.5 hereof upon the occurrence of an event
     specified therein.

7.   OPTIONS.

7.1  Stock Option Agreements. Options shall be evidenced by written stock option
     agreements  in such form as the Board or the  Committee,  if there shall be
     one, shall from time to time determine.  Such agreements  shall comply with
     and be subject to the terms and  conditions  set forth below.  In the event
     that a written  common  stock  option  shall not have been  delivered to an
     eligible Participant prior to their notice of intent to exercise, the terms
     of the stock  option  shall be deemed the same as the form of stock  option
     agreement  attached  hereto  as  an  exhibit  and  incorporated  herein  by
     reference  with the specific terms and provisions as set forth in the board
     minutes granting such option or award.

7.2  Number of Shares.  Each Option shall state the number of Shares to which it
     pertains and shall provide for the  adjustment  thereof in accordance  with
     the provisions of Section 14.5 hereof.

7.3  Exercise  Price.  Each Option shall state the Exercise Price  thereof.  The
     Exercise Price in the case of any Incentive  Stock Option shall not be less
     than the Fair  Market  Value on the date of grant  and,  in the case of any
     Option granted to an Optionee described in Section 5.2 hereof, shall not be
     less than one hundred ten  percent  (110%) of the Fair Market  Value on the
     date of grant.  The Exercise  Price in the case of any  Nonstatutory  Stock
     Option shall not be less than eighty-five  percent (85%) of the Fair Market
     Value on the date of grant.  The  Exercise  Price for any  Option  shall be
     subject to  adjustment in  accordance  with the  provisions of Section 14.5
     hereof.

7.4  Medium and Time of Payment.  The Purchase Price shall be payable in full in
     United States dollars upon the exercise of the Option;  provided,  however,
     that if the  applicable  Stock  Option  Agreement  so provides the Purchase
     Price  may the  paid  (i) by the  surrender  of  Shares  in good  form  for
     transfer,  owned by the  Participant  and having a Fair Market Value on the
     date of exercise equal to the Purchase Price, or in any combination of cash
     and  Shares,  as long as the sum of the cash so paid  and the  Fair  Market
     Value of the Shares so  surrendered  equals  the  Purchase  Price,  (ii) by
     cancellation  of indebtedness  owed by the Corporation to the  Participant,
     (iii) with a full recourse promissory note executed by the Participant,  or
     (iv) any  combination of the  foregoing.  The interest rate and other terms
     and  conditions  of such note shall be  determined  by the  Committee.  The
     Committee may require that the Participant  pledge his or her Shares to the
     Corporation  for the  purpose of securing  the payment of such note.  In no
     event shall the stock  certificate(s)  representing such Shares be released
     to the Participant until such note shall be paid in full.

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7.5  Term and Non-Transferability of Options.

     7.5.1The date on which the Board or Committee adopts a resolution expressly
          granting an Option shall be considered the day on which such Option is
          granted,  unless  a  future  date is  specified  in  such  resolution;
          provided  however that no Participant  shall have any rights under the
          Grant until he/she have executed an Option  Agreement  with respect to
          such  Option.  Each option  shall state the time or times which all or
          part thereof becomes exercisable. No Option shall be exercisable after
          the expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted,  and no
          Option granted to a Participant  described in Section 5.2 hereof shall
          be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date it
          was granted. During the lifetime of the Participant,  the Option shall
          be exercisable  only by the Participant and shall not be assignable or
          transferable.  In the event of the  Participant's  death,  the  Option
          shall not be transferable by the Participant other than by will or the
          laws of descent and distribution.

     7.5.2Nothing in the Plan or in any Option  granted  hereunder  shall confer
          upon a  Participant  any  right to  continue  in the  employ  of or to
          continue any other  relationship with the Corporation nor interfere in
          any way with the right of the Corporation to terminate such employment
          or other relationship between a Participant and the Corporation. 7.5.3
          Transferability  Restriction  7.5.3.1  Options  granted under the Plan
          shall not be transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent
          and distribution or pursuant to a qualified  domestic  relations order
          as defined by the Code or Title I of the  Employee  Retirement  Income
          Security  Act  of  1974,  or  the  rules  thereunder.  Options  may be
          exercised   during  the  lifetime  of  the  Participant  only  by  the
          Participant,  and  thereafter  only  by his  legal  representative  or
          permitted  assignee.  7.5.3.2 Any attempted sale, pledge,  assignment,
          hypothecation   or  other  transfer  of  an  Option  contrary  to  the
          provisions hereof and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar
          process  upon an Option  shall be null and void and  without  force or
          effect and shall result in a termination of the Option.

7.6  Modification,  Extension and Renewal of Option.  Within the  limitations of
     the Plan, the Committee may modify,  extend or renew outstanding Options or
     accept  the  cancellation  of  outstanding   Options  (to  the  extent  not
     previously  exercised)  for the  granting  of new  Options in  substitution
     therefore,  in its sole  discretion  as it deems  appropriate.  No exercise
     period may be extended to increase the term of the Option  beyond ten years
     from the date of the grant,  or five years in the case of  Incentive  Stock
     Options  granted  to  persons  owning  more than ten  percent  of the total
     combined voting power of the Common Stock of the Corporation. The foregoing
     notwithstanding,  no modifications of an Option shall,  without the consent
     of the  Participant,  alter or impair any rights or  obligations  under any
     Option previously granted.

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7.7  Limitation on Grant of Incentive  Stock  Options.  In the case of Incentive
     Stock  Options   granted   hereunder,   the  aggregate  Fair  Market  Value
     (determined as of the date of the grant thereof) of the Shares with respect
     to which Incentive Stock Options become  exercisable by any Participant for
     the first time  during any  calendar  year  (under  this Plan and all other
     plans maintained by the Corporation,  its parent or it Subsidiaries)  shall
     not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).  The Board or Committee
     may, however,  with the Participant's consent authorize an amendment to the
     incentive Stock Option, which renders it a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

7.8  Other Provisions. The Stock Option Agreements authorized under the Plan may
     contain such other provisions not  inconsistent  with the terms of the Plan
     (including,  without  limitation,  restrictions  upon the  exercise  of the
     Option) as the Committee shall deem advisable.

7.9  Specific  Awards Approved by the  Shareholders.  Subject to the approval by
     the vote of the  shareholders  at the next Annual or Special Meeting of the
     Shareholders,  the individuals whose names are set forth in Schedule "A", a
     copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference,
     shall be deemed granted Awards in the amounts and  denominations  specified
     thereon,  in the  amounts  and  for the  amount  indicated  opposite  their
     respective  names,  and in accordance  with the vesting  schedule set forth
     herein,  all in accordance  with the provisions set forth in this Article 7
     of the  Plan,  effective  as of the date  granted  or the  Effective  Date,
     whichever is specified in  resolutions  of the Board of Directors  granting
     such awards. The provisions of this Section 7.9 and following Section 7.10,
     shall not be  amended  more than once every six (6)  months,  other than to
     comport with changes in the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee  Retirement
     Income  Security  Act,  or the  rules  thereunder,  and/or  intended  to be
     construed in accordance with the provisions  pertaining to "formula awards"
     under  Paragraph  (c) (2) (ii) of Rule  16b-3.  . 7.10 Awards from the 2003
     Plan.  In  addition  to the  formula  grants  described  in  the  preceding
     paragraph,  the stock  options  listed in  "Schedule  B",  attached  hereto
     consisting of unexercised  stock options  remaining from the  Corporation's
     2003  Omnibus  Incentive  Stock Option and  Incentive  Plan shall be deemed
     included  and  made  subject  to this  Plan  also  subject  to  shareholder
     approval. 8 RESTRICTED/REGISTERED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS

8.1  Stock Purchase  Agreements.  Purchase  Rights shall be evidenced by written
     Stock Purchase  Agreements in such form as the Committee shall from time to
     time  determine.  Such  agreements  shall comply with and be subject to the
     terms and conditions set forth below.

8.2  Number of Shares.  Each Purchase  Right shall state the number of Shares to
     which  it  pertains  and  shall  provide  for  the  adjustment  thereof  in
     accordance with the provisions of Section 14.5 hereof.

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<PAGE>

8.3  Purchase  Price.  Each Stock  Purchase  Agreement  shall state the Purchase
     Price per Share at which the Purchase Right may be exercised which,  unless
     the Board or  Committee  otherwise  determines,  shall not be less than the
     Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date on which the Purchase  Right is
     granted,   less  a  discount  (the  "Discount")  equal  to  not  more  than
     seventy-five  percent (75%) of such value. In the event that shares subject
     to a  Purchase  right  are  to be  registered  pursuant  to a  registration
     statement under the '33 Act, the Purchase Price per share shall not be less
     than the Fair Market Value of a Shares as of the date on which the Purchase
     Right is granted.

8.4  Exercisability and Non -Transferability of Purchase Rights. Purchase Rights
     granted to a  Participant  pursuant  to the Plan must be  exercised  within
     sixty (60) days after the later to occur of (i) Board approval of the grant
     of the Purchase  Right or (ii)  delivery of notice of such grant.  Purchase
     Rights may not be sold,  pledged,  assigned,  hypothecated,  transferred or
     disposed of in any manner and shall  expire  immediately  upon the death of
     the  Participant or the termination of such  Participant's  employment with
     the Corporation.

8.5  Medium and Time of Payment.  The Purchase Price shall be payable in full in
     United States dollars upon exercise of the Purchase Right; provided however
     that if the applicable  Stock  Purchase  Agreement so provides the Purchase
     Price may be paid (i) by the  surrender of Shares in good form for transfer
     owned by the person  exercising the Purchase Right and having a Fair Market
     Value  on the  date of  exercise  equal  to the  Purchase  Price  or in any
     combination  of cash and  Shares as long as the sum of the cash so paid and
     the Fair Market Value of the Shares so surrendered equal the Purchase Price
     or (iii) with a full recourse  promissory note executed by the Participant.
     The  interest  rate and other  terms and  conditions  of such note shall be
     determined by the Committee. The Committee may require that the Participant
     pledge his or her Shares to the Corporation for the purpose of securing the
     payment  of  such  note.  In  no  event  shall  the  stock   certificate(s)
     representing  such Shares be released to Participant  until such note shall
     be paid  in  full.  In the  event  the  Corporation  determines  that it is
     required  to  withhold  state or  federal  income  tax as a  result  of the
     exercise of a Purchase  Right,  as a condition to the exercise  thereof,  a
     Participant  may be  required  to  make  arrangements  satisfactory  to the
     Corporation for it to satisfy such withholding  requirements.  In addition,
     the Participant shall agree to immediately  notify the Corporation if he or
     she files an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to
     receipt of the Shares.

8.6  Consent of Spouse.  Each  Participant  who is married must cause his or her
     spouse to sign and deliver the Stock Purchase Agreement to the Corporation,
     in the place provided for such signature on the Stock Purchase Agreement.

8.7  Modification,   Extension  and  Renewal  of  Purchase  Rights.  Within  the
     limitations of the Plan,  the Board or the Committee may modify,  extend or
     renew outstanding Purchase Rights or accept the cancellation of outstanding
     Purchase  Rights (to the extent not previously  exercised) for the granting
     of  new  Purchase   Rights  in   substitution   therefor.   The   foregoing
     notwithstanding,  no  modification  of a Purchase Right shall,  without the
     consent of the Employee,  alter or impair any rights or  obligations  under
     any Purchase Right previously granted.

8.8  Repurchase Option as to Unvested Shares.

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<PAGE>

     8.8.1Termination  of   Employment.   In  the  event  of  the  voluntary  or
          involuntary  termination  or cessation of employment or association of
          the Participant  with the Corporation or any Subsidiary for any reason
          whatsoever, with or without cause (including death or disability), the
          Corporation  shall,  upon  the  date  of  such  termination,  have  an
          irrevocable,  exclusive option to repurchase (the "Repurchase Option")
          all or any portion of the Shares held by the Employee that are subject
          to the  Repurchase  Option  as of such date at the  original  Purchase
          Price.

     8.8.2Vesting.  Initially,  all  of  the  Shares  shall  be  subject  to the
          Repurchase Option.  Thereafter,  the Repurchase Option shall lapse and
          expire,  or  "vest",  as  to a  specified  number  of  the  Shares  in
          accordance  with a  schedule  to be  determined  by the  Board  or the
          Committee,  as the case may be,  which  shall be attached to the Stock
          Purchase  Agreement to be entered into between the Participant and the
          Corporation  as  provided  in  Section  8.1 above.  All  Shares  which
          continue  to  be  subject  to  the  Repurchase  Option  are  sometimes
          hereinafter referred to as "Unvested Shares."

     8.8.3Notice.   Within   ninety  (90)  days   following   the  date  of  the
          Participant's  termination  of  employment  by  the  Corporation,  the
          Corporation  shall  notify  the  Employee  as to  whether it wishes to
          repurchase  the  Unvested  Shares  pursuant  to  the  exercise  of the
          Repurchase  Option.  If the  Corporation  elects  to  repurchase  said
          Unvested  Shares,  it  shall  set  a  date  for  the  closing  of  the
          transaction  at the Executive  Offices of the  Corporation,  not later
          than thirty (30) days from the date of such notice.

     8.8.4Transfers.  Except for  transfers  to  Participant's  descendants  and
          spouses,  the  Participant  shall not  transfer  by sale,  assignment,
          hypothecation, donation or otherwise any of the Shares or any interest
          therein  prior to the  release  of such  Shares  from  the  Repurchase
          Option.

     8.8.5Assignment.  The  Corporation's  Repurchase  Option may be assigned in
          whole or in part to any stockholder or stockholders of the Corporation
          or other persons or organizations.

8.9  Corporation's  Right of First Refusal to Purchase Vested Shares. Each Stock
     Purchase  Agreement  entered into as provided  herein  shall  provide for a
     right  of first  refusal  and  option  on the  part of the  Corporation  to
     purchase all or any part of any Shares  which are no longer  subject to the
     Repurchase  Option  which the  Participant  purposes  to sell,  transfer or
     otherwise dispose of (except for transfers to Participant's descendants and
     spouses) on the following terms and conditions.

     8.9.1The Participant must notify the Corporation in writing of any proposed
          sale,  transfer or other disposition of any of the Shares,  specifying
          the  proposed  transferee,   the  number  of  Shares  proposed  to  be
          transferred,  and the  price  at  which  such  Shares  are to be sold,
          transferred or otherwise disposed.

                                       11
<PAGE>

     8.9.2The  Corporation  shall have a period of thirty (30) days from receipt
          of such notice to notify the  Participant  in writing as to whether or
          not the Corporation  elects to purchase all or a specified  portion of
          such  Shares  at the  lower  of:  i) price  per share set forth in the
          notice  given by the  Participant,  or ii) the Fair Market Value for a
          share of the Corporation's Common Stock, without restrictions,  on the
          date on which the notice is given by  Participant  to the  Corporation
          (determined as provided in Section 2.13 above), less in either case an
          amount  equal  to the  Discount.  If  the  Corporation  elects  not to
          purchase all of the Shares  specified in the notice,  the  Participant
          may sell,  transfer or otherwise  dispose of the  remaining  Shares in
          strict accordance with the terms specified in the notice within ninety
          (90) days  following  the date of the  notice.  It is  understood  and
          agreed  that any  transferee  of any of such  Shares  (other  than the
          Corporation)  will take and acquire all of such Shares  subject to the
          continuing  right  of  first  refusal  and  option  on the part of the
          Corporation  to  purchase  all or any  portion of such Shares from the
          transferee on all of the same terms and conditions as are set forth in
          the Stock Purchase  Agreement,  unless the Participant shall have paid
          to the  Corporation,  out of the proceeds from the sale of such Shares
          or otherwise,  an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the  Discount,  or
          (ii) the  amount  by which  the Fair  Market  Value for a share of the
          Corporation's Common Stock, without restrictions, on the date on which
          the notice is given by Participant to the  Corporation  (determined as
          provided in Section  2.13  above)  exceeds the price per Share paid by
          the Participant for such Shares.

8.10 Other Provisions. The Stock Purchase Agreements authorized may contain such
     other provisions not  inconsistent  with the terms of the Plan as the Board
     or the  Committee  shall  deem  advisable.

8.11 Special  Incentive  Stock Purchase Plan. The Board has reserved  10,000,000
     Shares  under  this  Plan as a special  award of  Special  Incentive  Stock
     Purchase  Rights to present and future  officers,  directors  employees and
     consultants  individually or as a group, providing that individuals who are
     or  may  become  officers,  directors,  employees  or  consultants  of  the
     Corporation during the term of the Plan may purchase a designated number of
     Shares,  if such shares are to be in  registered  form, at the market price
     for the Shares as of the date of the  grant,  or if  unregistered,  at such
     market price less a discount of not to exceed 75% of such value.  The Board
     or  Committee,  as the case  may be,  have  been  authorized  to  establish
     standards  and  requirements  for  eligibility,  terms and  conditions  for
     exercise of Special  Incentive  Stock Purchase  Rights  including,  without
     limitation,  vesting  rights,  exercise  periods,  and any  restrictions on
     resale of Shares  purchased  pursuant  to such  Awards,  in their  sole and
     complete  discretion.  The Board or  Committee  as the case may be may make
     individual or blanket Awards to all or any class or  sub-classification  of
     Participant, subject to the following general provisions:

     8.11.1 Participants must be employed for a minimum of 45 days before Awards
          are granted or become  exercisable.  Awards  granted  before such time
          expire  if  employment  terminates  before  expiration  of such 45 day
          period. Accordingly, no exercise may be accepted until such time.

     8.11.2 Awards must be exercised on or before 10 days after  termination  of
          the Participant's  qualified employment,  unless terminated for cause,
          in which case they will expire on such termination for cause.

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<PAGE>

     8.11.3 Shares  issued  pursuant  to  exercise  of Special  Incentive  Stock
          Purchase  Rights,  are to be issued in  unrestricted  and free trading
          form,   provided  that  (a)  sufficient   shares  under  an  effective
          Registration  Statement  are reserved for their  issuance;  and (b) no
          other  restriction  is otherwise  applicable  under Rule 144 under the
          Act;

     8.11.4 Awards of Special  Incentive Stock Purchase Rights are not effective
          in any event unless  represented by a written Special  Incentive Stock
          Purchase  Right  Agreement,  setting  forth  the  material  terms  and
          conditions  of the  specific  Award,  signed by the  Chairman  and one
          committee member;

     8.11.5 Any provision of this Plan, not  specifically  modified or expressly
          excluded from the  provisions of this Section 8.11,  may be applied to
          specific Special Incentive Stock Purchase Awards, in the discretion of
          the Board or Committee, as the case may be. This subsection is subject
          to the general terms, definitions and provisions including Sections 14
          and 15 hereof.

9.   STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

9.1  Grant. Stock  Appreciation  Rights related or unrelated to Options or other
     Awards may be granted to Participants:  (i) at any time, if unrelated to an
     Award, or if related to an Award other than an Incentive  Stock Option;  or
     (ii)  only at the time of grant of an Option if  related  thereto.  A Stock
     Appreciation  Right may extend to all or a portion of the Shares covered by
     a related Award.

9.2  Exercise of Stock  Appreciation  Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right granted
     in  connection  with an Award  shall be  exercisable  only at such  time or
     times,  and to the  extent  that a related  Award is  exercisable.  A Stock
     Appreciation  Right granted in connection with an Option may be exercisable
     only when the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the Option  exceeds
     the Exercise Price of the Incentive Stock Option.

9.3  Payment.

     (a)  Upon the exercise of a Stock  Appreciation  Right,  and, if such Stock
          Appreciation Right is related to an Award, surrender of an exercisable
          portion of a related  Award,  the  Participant  shall be  entitled  to
          receive  payment  of an  amount  determined  by  multiplying:  (i) the
          difference  obtained by  subtracting  the purchase price of a share of
          Common  Stock  specified  in  the  related  Award,  or if  such  Stock
          Appreciation  Right is  unrelated  to an Award,  from the Fair  Market
          Value,  book  value or other  measure  specified  in the Award of such
          Stock  Appreciation  Right of a share of  Common  Stock on the date of
          exercise  of such  Stock  Appreciation  Right,  by (ii) the  number of
          Shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised.

     (b)  The  Board  or the  Committee,  as  the  case  may  be,  in  its  sole
          discretion,  may require  settlement  of the amount  determined  under
          paragraph  (a) above solely in cash,  solely in Shares of Common Stock
          (valued at Fair Market Value on the business  day next  preceding  the
          date of exercise of such Stock Appreciation  Right), or partly in such
          Shares and partly in cash.

                                       13
<PAGE>

9.4  Maximum Stock  Appreciation  Right Term. Each Stock  Appreciation Right and
     all rights and obligations thereunder shall expire on such date as shall be
     determined  by the Board or the Committed but not later than ten (10) years
     after  the date of the  Award  thereof,  and shall be  subject  to  earlier
     termination  as provided in the related Award  Agreement and Sections 14.6,
     14.7, 14.8, 14.9 and 15.1.

10.  PERFORMANCE AWARDS.

     One or more Performance Awards may be granted to any eligible  Participant.
     The value of such Awards may be linked to the market  value,  book value or
     other  measure  of  the  value  of  the  Common  Stock  or  other  specific
     performance criteria determined  appropriate by the Board or the Committee,
     in each case on a specified date or over any period determined by the Board
     or the  Committee,  or may be based  upon the  appreciation  in the  market
     value,  book value or other  measure of the value of a specified  number of
     Shares of Common Stock over a fixed period  determined  by the Board or the
     Committee.  In making such  determinations,  the Board or the Committee may
     consider  (among  such other  factors as it deems  relevant in light of the
     specific  type of  award)  the  contributions,  responsibilities  and other
     compensation of the Participant.

11.  DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS.

     A  Participant  may also be  granted  "Dividend  Equivalents"  based on the
     dividends  declared  on the Common  Stock,  to be  credited  as of dividend
     payment  dates,  during the period between the Award Date and the date such
     Award is  exercised,  vests or  expires as  determined  by the Board or the
     Committee.  Such  Dividend  Equivalents  shall  be  converted  to  cash  or
     additional  Shares of  Common  Stock by such  formula  and at such time and
     subject  to such  limitations  as may be  determined  by the  Board  or the
     Committee.

12.  STOCK PAYMENTS.

     The Board or the Committee may approve Stock Payments to Eligible Employees
     or other  Participants  who elect to receive  such  payments  in the manner
     determined  from time to time by the Board or the Committee.  The number of
     Shares shall be  determined  by the Board or the Committee and may be based
     upon the Fair  Market  Value,  book value or other  measure of the value of
     such Shares on the Award Date or on any date thereafter.

13.  LOANS.

     The Corporation may, with the Board's or the Committee's  approval,  extend
     one or more  loans to  Participants  in  connection  with the  exercise  or
     receipt of  outstanding  Awards  granted under the Plan;  provided any such
     loan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions;

     (i)  The  principal of the loan shall not exceed the amount  required to be
          paid to the  Corporation  upon the  exercise or receipt of one or more
          Awards under the Plan less the aggregate Par Value of any Common Stock
          deliverable  on  such  event,  and the  loan  proceeds  shall  be paid
          directly  to the  Corporation  in  consideration  of such  exercise or
          receipt.

     (ii) The initial term of the loan shall be  determined  by the Board or the
          Committee;  provided that the term of the loan, including  extensions,
          shall not exceed a period of ten (10) years.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     (iii)The loan  shall be with full  recourse  to the  Participant,  shall be
          evidenced by the Participant's promissory note and shall bear interest
          at a rate  determined  by the Board or the Committee but not less than
          the Corporation's average cost of funds as of a date within thirty-one
          (31)  days of the date of such  loan,  as  determined  by the Board or
          Committee.

     (iv) in the event a  Participant  terminates  his or her  employment at the
          request of the Corporation,  the unpaid principal  balance of the note
          shall  become due and payable on the tenth  (10th)  business day after
          such  termination;  provided,  however,  that if a sale of such Shares
          would cause such Participant to incur liability under Section 16(b) of
          the Exchange  Act, the unpaid  balance shall become due and payable on
          the tenth  (10th)  business day after the first day on which a sale of
          such Shares  could have been made  without  incurring  such  liability
          assuming for these  purposes that there are no other  transactions  by
          the  Participant  subsequent  to  such  termination.  In the  event  a
          Participant  terminates  employment  other than at the  request of the
          Corporation, the unpaid principal balance of the note shall become due
          and payable six (6) months after the date of such termination.

14.  RIGHTS OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES, PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES.

14.1 Employee Status.  Status as an Eligible Employee or other Participant shall
     not be construed as a commitment that any Award will be made under the Plan
     to an Eligible  Employee,  Participant  or to Eligible  Employees  or other
     Participants generally.

14.2 No  Employment  Contract.  Nothing  contained  in the Plan (or in the Award
     Agreements  or in any other  documents  related  to the Plan or to  Awards)
     shall  confer  upon any  Eligible  Employee  or  Participant  any  right to
     continue in the employ of the  Corporation  or  constitute  any contract or
     agreement  of  employment,  or  interfere  in any way with the right of the
     Corporation  to reduce  such  person's  compensation  or to  terminate  the
     employment of such Eligible Employee or Participant, with or without cause,
     but nothing  contained in the Plan or any document  related  thereto  shall
     affect any other contractual right of any Eligible employee or Participant.
     Nothing  contained in the Plan (or in the Award  Agreements or in any other
     documents related to the Plan or the Awards) shall confer upon any director
     of the Corporation any right to continue as a director of the Corporation.

14.3 No Transferability. Awards may be exercised only by, and amounts payable or
     Shares issued pursuant to an Award shall be paid only to or registered only
     in the name of,  the  Participant  or,  in the  event of the  Participant's
     death,  to  the   Participant's   Beneficiary  or,  in  the  event  of  the
     Participant's  Disability, to the participant's Personal Representative or,
     if there is none,  to the  Participant.  Other  than by will or the laws of
     descent and distribution,  no right or benefit under the Plan or any Award,
     including, without limitation, any Option or share of Restricted Stock that
     has not vested, shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation,
     sale,  transfer,  assignment,  pledge,  encumbrance  or charge and any such
     attempted  action  shall be void and no such right or benefit  shall be, in
     any  manner,  liable  for, or subject  to,  debts,  contract,  liabilities,
     engagements, or torts of any Eligible Employee, Participant or Beneficiary,
     in any case except as may  otherwise  by expressly  required by  applicable
     law. The Board or the  Committee  shall  disregard any attempt at transfer;
     assignment or other  alienation  prohibited  by the preceding  sentence and
     shall pay or deliver such cash or Shares of Common Stock in accordance with
     the provisions of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board or the
     Committee may authorize exercise by or transfers

                                       15
<PAGE>

or  payments to a third party in a specific  case or more  generally;  provided,
however,  with  respect  to any  option or similar  right  (including  any Stock
Appreciation  Right) such  discretion  may only be  exercised to the extent that
applicable  rules under  Section 16 of the Exchange Act would so permit  without
disqualifying the Plan from certain benefits thereunder.

14.4 Plan Not Funded. No Participant, Beneficiary or other person shall have any
     right,  title or interest in any fund or in any specific  asset  (including
     Shares of Common Stock) of the  Corporation  by reason of any Award granted
     hereunder.  There  shall be no  funding  of any  benefits  which may become
     payable  hereunder.  Neither the provision of the Plan (or of any documents
     related  hereto,  nor the creation or adoption of the Plan,  nor any action
     taken pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall create,  or be construed
     to create,  a trust of any kind or a  fiduciary  relationship  between  the
     Corporation  and any  Participant  or  Beneficiary.  To the  extent  that a
     Participant,  a Beneficiary or other person  acquires a right to receive an
     Award  hereunder,  such  right  shall be no  greater  than the right of any
     unsecured  general  creditor of the  Corporation.  Awards payable under the
     Plan shall be paid in Shares of Common Stock or from the general  assets of
     the  Corporation,  and no special  or  separate  fund or  deposit  shall be
     established  and no segregation of assets or Shares shall be made to assure
     payment of such Awards.

14.5 Adjustment Upon  Recapitalization and Corporate Changes. If the outstanding
     Shares  of  Common  Stock  are  changed  into or  exchanged  for  cash or a
     different number or kind of Shares or securities of the Corporation,  or if
     the  outstanding  Shares  of the  Common  Stock are  increased,  decreased,
     exchanged  for, or otherwise  changed,  or if  additional  Shares or new or
     different  shares  or  securities  are  distributed  with  respect  to  the
     outstanding Shares of the Common Stock,  through a reorganization or merger
     in which the Corporation is the surviving  entity or through a combination,
     consolidation,  recapitalization,   reclassification,  stock  split,  stock
     dividend,  reverse stock split, stock consolidation or other capital change
     or adjustment,  an appropriate  adjustment  shall be made in the number and
     kind  of  shares  or  other  consideration  that  is  subject  to or may be
     distributed   under  the  Plan  and  pursuant  to  outstanding   Awards.  A
     corresponding  adjustment  to the  consideration  payable  with  respect to
     Awards  granted  prior to any such  change and to the price,  if any, to be
     paid in  connection  with  Restricted  Stock  Awards  shall also be made as
     appropriate.  Corresponding adjustments shall be made with respect to Stock
     Appreciation  Rights  related  to Options  to which  they are  related.  In
     addition,  the Board or the Committee may grant such  additional  rights in
     the foregoing  circumstances  as the Board or the Committee  deems to be in
     the  best  interest  of any  Participant  and the  Corporation  in order to
     preserve for the Participant the benefits of an Award.

14.6 Termination of Employment Except by Death,  Disability or Retirement.  If a
     Participant  ceases to be an Employee  for any reason other than his or her
     death,  disability or retirement,  such  Participant  shall have the right,
     subject to the restrictions of Section 14.3 above, to exercise any Award at
     any time within three (3) months after termination of employment,  but only
     to  the  extent  that,  at the  date  of  termination  of  employment,  the
     Participant's  right to  exercise  such Award had  accrued  pursuant to the
     terms of the applicable  agreement and had not previously  been  exercised;
     provided,  however,  that if the  Participant  was terminated for cause (as
     defined in the applicable  agreement) any Award not exercised in full prior
     to such  termination  shall be canceled.  For this purpose,  the employment
     relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the Participant is
     on  military  leave,  sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence (to be
     determined  in the sole  discretion  of the  Board or the  Committee).  The
     foregoing  notwithstanding,  in the  case  of an  Incentive  Stock  Option,
     employment  shall not be deemed to continue beyond the ninetieth (90th) day
     after the Participant's  re-employment  rights are guaranteed by statute or
     by contract.

                                       16
<PAGE>

14.7 Death of  Participant.  If a Participant  dies while an Employee,  or after
     ceasing to be an Employee  but during the period while he or she could have
     exercised  the Award under this Section 14.7,  and has not fully  exercised
     the  Award,  then the Award  may be  exercised  in full at any time  within
     twelve (12) months after the Participant's death but no later than the date
     of  termination  (fixed in the applicable  agreement),  by the executors or
     administrators  of his or her estate or by any  person or persons  who have
     acquired the Award directly from the Participant by bequest or inheritance,
     but only to the extent that, at the date of death, the Participant's  right
     to exercise such Award had accrued and had not been  forfeited  pursuant to
     the  terms  of  the  applicable  agreement  and  had  not  previously  been
     exercised.

14.8 Disability of  Participant.  If a  Participant  ceases to be an Employee by
     reason of Disability, such Participant shall have the right to exercise the
     Award at any time within twelve (12) months after termination of employment
     (but  not  later  than  the  termination   date  fixed  in  the  applicable
     agreements)  but  only to the  extent  that at the date of  termination  of
     employment,  the  Participant's  right to  exercise  such Award had accrued
     pursuant to the terms of the  applicable  agreement and had not  previously
     been exercised.

14.9 Retirement of  Participant.  If a  Participant  ceases to be an Employee by
     reason of Retirement, such Participant shall have the right to exercise the
     Award at any time within three (3) months after  termination  of employment
     (but  not  later  than  the  termination   date  fixed  in  the  applicable
     agreements)  but only to the extent  that,  at the date of  termination  of
     employment,  the  Participant's  right to  exercise  such Award had accrued
     pursuant to the terms of the  applicable  agreement and had not  previously
     been exercised.

14.10Rights as a Stockholder.  A Participant,  or a transferee of a Participant,
     shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares covered by
     his or her Award until the date of the issuance of a stock  certificate for
     such  Shares.  No  adjustment  shall be made  for  dividends  (ordinary  or
     extraordinary,   whether   in  cash,   securities   or   other   property),
     distributions  or other  rights for which the  record  date is prior to the
     date such stock  certificate is issued,  except as provided in Section 14.5
     hereof.

14.11Deferral of Payments.  The Board or the  Committee may approve the deferral
     of any payments that may become due under the Plan. Such deferrals shall be
     subject to any conditions, restrictions or requirements as the Board or the
     Committee may determine.

14.12Acceleration  of Awards.  Immediately  prior to the occurrence of an Event,
     (i) each Option and Stock  Appreciation  Right under the Plan shall  become
     exercisable in full; (ii)  Restricted  Stock delivered under the Plan shall
     immediately   vest  free  of  restriction;   and  (iii)  each  other  Award
     outstanding  under the Plan  shall be fully  vested or  exercisable  unless
     prior to the Event,  the Board or the Committee  otherwise  determines that
     there  shall be no such  acceleration  or vesting of an Award or  otherwise
     determines  those  Awards which shall be  accelerated  or vested and to the
     extent to which they shall be accelerated or vested, or that an Award shall
     terminate,  or unless in connection  with such Event the Board provides (a)
     for the  assumption  of such  Awards  theretofore  granted;  or (b) for the
     substitution  for  such  Awards  of  new  awards  covering   securities  or
     obligations (or any combination thereof) of a successor  corporation,  or a
     parent or subsidiary

                                       17

<PAGE>

thereof,  with  appropriate  adjustments  as to number  and kind of  shares  and
prices;  or (c) for the payment of the Fair Market Value of the then outstanding
Awards. In addition, the Board or the Committee may grant such additional rights
in the foregoing  circumstances as the Board or the Committee deems to be in the
best interest of the  Participant  and the  Corporation in order to preserve for
the  Participant  the benefits of an Award.  For purposes of this Section  14.12
only,  Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation as constituted
immediately  prior  to the  Event.  In  addition,  the  Board  may  in its  sole
discretion  accelerate  the  exercisability  or  vesting  of any  or all  Awards
outstanding  under  the  Plan in  circumstances  under  which  the  Board or the
Committee determines such acceleration appropriate.

14.13Conditions  to Transfer of Shares.  (A) As a condition  to the  transfer of
     any shares of Common Stock issued upon  exercise of an Award  granted under
     this Plan, the Corporation may require an opinion of counsel,  satisfactory
     to the  Corporation,  to the  effect  that  such  transfer  will  not be in
     violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable  securities laws or
     that such transfer has been registered  under federal,  state and all other
     applicable   securities  laws.  (B)  Further,   the  Corporation  shall  be
     authorized  to refrain from  delivering  or  transferring  shares of Common
     Stock  issued  under this Plan  until the  Committee  determines  that such
     delivery or transfer will not violate  applicable  securities  laws and the
     Participant has tendered to the Corporation any federal, state or local tax
     owed by the  Participant as a result of exercising an Option or other Award
     or disposing of any Common Stock when the Corporation has a legal liability
     to satisfy  such tax. (C) The  Corporation  shall not be liable for damages
     due to delay in the delivery or issuance of any stock  certificate  for any
     reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to, a delay caused by listing
     requirements  of any  securities  exchange or the National  Association  of
     Securities Dealers,  or any registration  requirements under the Securities
     Act,  the Exchange  Act, or under any other state or federal  law,  rule or
     regulation.  (D) The  Corporation is under no obligation to take any action
     or incur any  expense in order to  register  or  qualify  the  delivery  or
     transfer of shares of Common Stock under  applicable  securities laws or to
     perfect  any  exemption  from  such  registration  or  qualification.   (E)
     Furthermore,  the  Corporation  will not be liable to any  Participant  for
     failure to deliver or transfer  shares of Common  Stock if such  failure is
     based upon the provisions of this paragraph.

15.  MISCELLANEOUS

15.1 Termination,  Suspension and Amendment.  The Board or the Committee may, at
     any time suspend, amend, modify of terminate the Plan (or any part thereof)
     and may, with the consent of a Participant, authorize such modifications of
     the terms  and  conditions  of such  Participant's  Award as it shall  deem
     advisable;  provided  that,  except as  permitted  under the  provision  of
     Section  14.5  hereof,  no  amendment  or  modification  of the Plan may be
     adopted  without  approval by a majority of the Shares of the Common  Stock
     (represented in person or by proxy) at a meeting of stockholders at which a
     quorum is present  and  entitled  to vote  thereat,  if such  amendment  or
     modification would:

     (i)  materially  increase the benefits  accruing to Participants  under the
          Plan within the meaning of Rule 16b-3  under the  Exchange  Act or any
          successor provision;

     ii)  materially  increase  the  aggregate  number  of  Shares  which may be
          delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan; or

                                       18
<PAGE>

    (iii)materially  modify the requirements of eligibility for either adoption
          of the Plan.

     Neither  adoption  of the Plan nor the  provisions  hereof  shall limit the
     authority of the Board to adopt other Plans or to authorize  other  payment
     of compensation and benefits under applicable law. No Awards under the Plan
     may be granted or amended  during any  suspension  of the Plan or after its
     termination.  The  amendment,  suspension or  termination of the Plan shall
     not, without the consent of the Participant,  alter or impair any rights or
     obligations  pertaining to any Awards  granted under the Plan prior to such
     amendment, suspension or termination.

15.2 No Fractional Shares. No Award or installment  thereof shall be exercisable
     except in respect to whole Shares,  and fractional  share interest shall be
     disregarded.

15.3 Tax  Withholding  and Tax Bonuses.  As required by law,  federal,  state or
     local taxes that are subject to the  withholding of tax at the source shall
     be withheld by the  Corporation  as necessary to satisfy such  requirement.
     The  Corporation is entitled to require  deduction from other  compensation
     payable to such Participant or, in the alternative;  i) the Corporation may
     require the Participant to advance such sums: or ii) if Participant elects,
     the  Corporation  may withhold (or require the return of) Shares having the
     Fair  Market  Value  equal  to the sums  required  to be  withheld.  If the
     Participant  elects to advance such sums  directly,  written notice of that
     election shall be delivered prior to such exercise and, whether pursuant to
     such  election  or pursuant to a  requirement  imposed by the  Corporation,
     payment  in cash or by check  of such  sums for  taxes  shall be  delivered
     within ten (10) days after the Exercise Date. If the Participant  elects to
     have the  Corporation  withhold  Shares  (or be  entitled  to the return of
     Shares)  having  a Fair  Market  Value  equal to the  sums  required  to be
     withheld,  the value of the Shares to be  withheld  (or  returned)  will be
     equal to the Fair Market  Value on the day the amount of tax to be withheld
     (or subject to return) is to be determined (the "Tax Date").

15.4 Restriction on Elections Made by Participants. Elections by Participants to
     have  Shares  withheld  (or  subject to return)  for this  purpose  will be
     subject to the following  restrictions:  i) the election must be made prior
     to the Tax Date;  ii) the election must be  irrevocable;  iii) the election
     will be subject to the Board's disapproval;  and (iv) if the Participant is
     an  "officer"  within the meaning of Section 16 of the  Exchange  Act,  the
     election shall be subject to such  additional  restrictions as the Board or
     the  Committee  may  impose  in an effort to  secure  the  benefits  of any
     regulations thereunder.

15.5 Limitations on the Corporation's Obligations.  The Corporation shall not be
     obligated to issue Shares and/or  distribute cash to the  Participant  upon
     any Award exercise until such payment has been received or Shares have been
     withheld,  (unless  withholding for offset against a cash payment) as of or
     prior to the Exercise Date,  sufficient to cover all such sums due or which
     may be due with respect to such  exercise.  In  addition,  the Board or the
     Committee may grant to a Participant a cash bonus in any amount required by
     federal, state, or local tax law to be withheld with respect to an Award.

                                       19
<PAGE>

15.6 Compliance  with Laws. The Plan, the granting of Awards under the Plan, the
     Stock Option  Agreements and Stock Purchase  Agreements and the delivery of
     Options,  Shares and Awards  (and/or the payment of money or Common  Stock)
     pursuant  thereto and the  extension of any loans  hereunder are subject to
     such  additional  requirements  as the Board or the Committee may impose to
     assure or facilitate compliance with all applicable federal and state laws,
     rules and regulations (including,  without limitation,  securities laws and
     margin   requirements)   and  to  such   approvals  by  any  regulatory  or
     governmental  agency which may be  necessary  or  advisable  in  connection
     therewith.  In connection with the  administration of the Plan or the grant
     of  any  Award,  the  Board  or  the  Committee  may  impose  such  further
     limitations or conditions as in its opinion may be required or advisable to
     satisfy,  or secure the benefits  of,  applicable  regulatory  requirements
     (including those rules  promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or
     those  rules  that  facilitate   exemption  from  or  compliance  with  the
     Securities Act or the Exchange Act), the requirements of any stock exchange
     upon which such Shares or shares of the same class are then listed, and any
     Blue Sky or other securities laws applicable to such Shares.

15.7 Governing  Laws.  The Plan and all  Awards  granted  under the Plan and the
     documents  evidencing  Awards  shall  be  governed  by,  and  construed  in
     accordance with, the laws of the State of Colorado.

15.8 Securities Law Requirements.

     a)   Legality of issuance.  The issuance of any Shares upon the exercise of
          any Option or other  Award and the grant of any Option or other  Award
          shall be contingent upon the following:

          i)   the Corporation and the Participant  shall have taken all actions
               required to register the Shares under the Securities  Act, and to
               qualify  the Option and the Shares  under any and all  applicable
               state securities or "Blue Sky" laws or regulations, or to perfect
               an exemption from the respective  registration and  qualification
               requirements thereof;

          ii)  any applicable listing requirement of any stock exchange on which
               the Common Stock is listed shall have been satisfied; and

          iii) any other  applicable  provision  of federal  law shall have been
               satisfied.

     b)   Restrictions  on Transfer.  In addition to the express  provisions  of
          this Plan,  and  regardless of whether the offering and sale of Shares
          under the Plan has been  registered  under the  Securities  Act or has
          been  registered or qualified  under the securities laws of any state,
          the Corporation may impose  restrictions on the sale,  pledge or other
          transfer  of such  Shares  (including  the  placement  of  appropriate
          legends on stock  certificates) if, in the judgment of the Corporation
          and its counsel, such restrictions are necessary or desirable in order
          to achieve  compliance  with the provision of the Securities  Act, the
          securities  laws of any state or any other law.  In the event that the
          sale of Shares under the Plan is not  registered  under the Securities
          Act  but an  exemption  is  available  which  required  an  investment
          representation  or other  representation,  each  Participant  shall be
          required  to  represent  that  such  Shares  are  being  acquired  for
          investment,  and not with a view to the sale or distribution  thereof,
          and to make such other representations as are deemed necessary

                                       20
<PAGE>

or appropriate by the  Corporation  and its counsel.  Any  determination  by the
Corporation  and its counsel in  connection  with any of the matter set forth in
this Section  15.8(b)  shall be  conclusive  and binding on all  persons.  Stock
certificates   evidencing   Shares  acquired  under  the  Plan  pursuant  to  an
unregistered  transaction shall bear the following  restrictive  legend and such
other  restrictive  legends  as are  required  or  deemed  advisable  under  the
provisions of any applicable law:

THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES  REPRESENTED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE  "SECURITIES  ACT"). ANY TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES
WILL BE INVALID UNLESS A REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IS IN
EFFECT AS TO SUCH  TRANSFER  OR IN THE  OPINION OF COUNSEL  FOR THE ISSUER  SUCH
REGISTRATION  IS  UNNECESSARY  IN ORDER FOR SUCH  TRANSFER  TO  COMPLY  WITH THE
SECURITIES ACT.

     c)   Registration or Qualification of Securities.  The Corporation may, but
          shall not be  obligated  to register or qualify the issuance of Awards
          and/or  the sale of  Shares  under  the  Securities  Act or any  other
          applicable  law.  The  Corporation  shall not be obligated to take any
          affirmative  action  in order to cause the  issuance  of Awards or the
          sale of Shares under the Plan to comply with any law.

     d)   Exchange of  Certificates.  If, in the opinion of the  Corporation and
          its counsel,  any legend placed on a certificate  representing  Shares
          issued  under  that Plan is no  longer  required,  the  holder of such
          certificate  shall be  entitled  to exchange  such  certificate  for a
          certificate  representing  the same number of Shares but lacking  such
          legend.

15.9 Shareholder  Approval.  If this Plan is not approved by the shareholders of
     the Company  within 12 months  following  the date the Plan was approved by
     the Board as required by Section  422(b)(1) of the Code,  this Plan and the
     Awards of Options granted  hereunder shall be and remain  effective for all
     Recipients,  but the reference to Incentive  Stock Options  herein shall be
     deleted and all options  granted  hereunder  shall be  Non-qualified  Stock
     Options pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

15.10Execution.  To record the  adoption of the Plan in the form set forth above
     by the Board  effective as of August 21, 2003, the  Corporation  has caused
     this Plan to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation where
     provided below by an officer of the Corporation thereunto duly authorized.

                                       21
<PAGE>

ARETE INDUSTRIES, INC.

By: /s/
    -----------------------------------------
     Chief Executive Officer

Attest:

/s/
---------------------------------------------
    Secretary
                                   SCHEDULE A
                            Section 7.9 of 2004 Plan

Name                    Number of       Description
                        Shares
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
New Designated Grants
under 2004 Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Thomas P. Raabe        2,000,000       Granted August 4, 2004 vesting 500,000
                                        shares on the last day of each fiscal
                                        quarter commencing 9/30/04 and
                                        exercisable for two years from each
                                        vesting date at the closing bid price
                                        on each vesting date.

 William W. Stewart     2,000,000       Granted August 4, 2004 vesting 500,000
                                        shares on the last day of each fiscal
                                        quarter commencing 9/30/04, exercisable
                                        two years from each vesting date at the
                                        closing bid price on each vesting date.*

 Donald W. Prosser      2,000,000       Granted August 4, 2004 vesting 500,000
                                        shares on the last day of each fiscal
                                        quarter commencing 9/30/04, exercisable
                                        two years from each vesting date at the
                                        closing bid price on each vesting date.*

 Charles Gamber         2,000,000

                                        Granted August 4, 2004 vesting 500,000
                                        shares on the last day of each fiscal
                                        quarter commencing 9/30/04, exercisable
                                        two years from each vesting date at the
                                        closing bid price on each vesting date.*

 John Herzog            2,000,000       Granted August 4, 2004 vesting 500,000
                                        shares on the last day of each fiscal
                                        quarter commencing 9/30/04, exercisable
                                        two years from each vesting date at the
                                        closing bid price on each vesting date.*

 William Bolch          2,000,000       Granted August 4, 2004 and exercisable
                                        until February 4, 2005 at $0.0075 per
                                        share.

 Employees and
 Management            10,000,000       Stock Purchase Rights priced at the
                                        closing bid price on each grant date,
                                        exercisable by qualified and eligible
                                        employees, officers and directors, and
                                        advisors and consultants, as determined
                                        by the compensation committee pursuant
                                        to the 2004 Plan.

  *  Provided that such individual is at the time of vesting a member of the
     board of directors and/or an employee or consultant of the Company

                                       22
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE B
                            Section 7.10 of 2004 Plan

Name                    Number of       Description
                        Shares
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
Outstanding Grants
Under 2002-2003
Plans Transferred
to the 2004 Plan
--------------------    ------------    ----------------------------------------
Thomas P. Raabe         3,000,000       Granted in August 21, 2003, exercisable
                                        at $0.01 per share through August
                                        21, 2005
--------------------    ------------    ----------------------------------------
Thomas P. Raabe         1,000,000       Granted Jan. 29, 2003 exercisable
                                        through 3/31/2005 at $0.0165 per share.
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
Thomas P. Raabe         1,000,000       Granted 4/1/2003 exercisable through
                                        4/1/2005 at $0.0155 per share.
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
Charles Gamber            125,000       Granted Dec. 12, 2003 exercisable 1/1/04
                                        to 12/31/05 at $0.022 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
Charles Gamber            250,000       Granted April 1, 2004 exercisable 4/1/04
                                        to 3/31/06 at $0.02 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
Charles Gamber            500,000       Granted June 30, 2004 exercisable
                                        6/30/04 to 6/29/06 $0.011 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
Donald W. Prosser         125,000       Granted Dec. 12, 2003 exercisable 1/1/04
                                        to 12/31/05 at $0.022 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
Donald W. Prosser         250,000       Granted April 1, 2004 exercisable 4/1/04
                                        to 3/31/06 $0.02 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
Donald W. Prosser         500,000       Granted June 30, 2004 exercisable
                                        6/30/04 to 6/29/06 $0.11 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
John Herzog               250,000       Granted Dec. 12, 2003 exercisable 1/1/04
                                        to 12/31/05 at $0.022 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
John Herzog               250,000       Granted April 1, 2004 exercisable 4/1/04
                                        to 3/31/06 $0.02 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
John Herzog               500,000       Granted June 30, 2004 exercisable
                                        6/30/04 to 6/29/06 $0.11 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
W. Stewart                250,000       Granted April 1, 2004 exercisable 4/1/04
                                        to 3/31/06 $0.02 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------
W. Stewart                500,000       Granted June 30, 2004 exercisable
                                        6/30/04 to 6/29/06 $0.11 per share
-------------------     -----------     ----------------------------------------

                                       23Exhibit
4.1

 

THE
MACERICH COMPANY

 

2005
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

 

FOR
SENIOR EXECUTIVES

(Effective January 1, 2005)

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
  ARTICLE I

  	
  TITLE AND DEFINITIONS

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  1.1

  	
  Title

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  1.2

  	
  Definitions

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE II

  	
  PARTICIPATION

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  2.1

  	
  Participation

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE III

  	
  DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  3.1

  	
  Elections to Defer Compensation

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  3.2

  	
  Investment Elections

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE IV

  	
  PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  4.1

  	
  Deferral Account

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  4.2

  	
  Company Matching Account

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE V

  	
  VESTING

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  5.1

  	
  Deferral
  Account

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  5.2

  	
  Company Matching Account

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE VI

  	
  DISTRIBUTIONS

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  6.1

  	
  Time and Form of
  Distribution

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  6.2

  	
  Small Benefits

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  6.3

  	
  Change in Election of Time
  and Form of Distribution

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE VII

  	
  HARDSHIP
  DISTRIBUTIONS

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  7.1

  	
  Hardship Distribution

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE
  VIII

  	
  LIFE
  INSURANCE FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  8.1

  	
  Life Insurance Coverage

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE IX

  	
  ADMINISTRATION

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  9.1

  	
  Members

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  9.2

  	
  Committee Action

  	
   

  

 

 

	
  9.3

  	
  Powers and Duties of
  the Committee

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  9.4

  	
  Construction and
  Interpretation

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  9.5

  	
  Information

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  9.6

  	
  Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  9.7

  	
  Quarterly Statements

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE X

  	
  MISCELLANEOUS

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  10.1

  	
  Unsecured General Creditor

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  10.2

  	
  Restriction Against
  Assignment

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  10.3

  	
  Withholding

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  10.4

  	
  Amendment,
  Modification, Suspension or Termination

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  10.5

  	
  Governing Law

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  10.6

  	
  Receipt or Release

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  10.7

  	
  Payments
  on Behalf of Persons under Incapacity

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  10.8

  	
  Headings, etc. Not Part of Agreement

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  10.9

  	
  Limitation on Participants’
  Rights

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  ARTICLE XI

  	
  CLAIMS PROCEDURE

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  11.1

  	
  Claims Procedure

  	
   

  

 

 

THE
MACERICH COMPANY

 

2005
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

 

FOR
SENIOR EXECUTIVES

 

(Effective January
1, 2005)

 

The
Macerich Company (the “Company”) hereby establishes this deferred compensation
plan (the “Plan”), effective January 1, 2005, to provide supplemental
retirement income benefits through deferrals of salary and bonuses.

 

ARTICLE I

TITLE AND DEFINITIONS

 

1.1                                 Title.

 

This Plan shall be known
as The Macerich Company 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for Senior Executives.

 

1.2                                 Definitions.

 

Whenever
the following words and phrases are used in this Plan, with the first letter
capitalized, they shall have the meanings specified below.

 

“Account”
or “Accounts” shall mean a Participant’s Deferral Account and/or Company
Matching Account.

 

“Beneficiary”
means (a) in the case of a Participant who is a participant in the Prior Plan,
the beneficiary designated under the Prior Plan by the Participant to receive
benefits in the event of the Participant’s death or (b) in the case of a
Participant

 

 

who is not a participant in the Prior Plan, the person or persons,
including a trustee, personal representative or other fiduciary, last
designated in writing by a Participant in accordance with procedures
established by the Committee to receive the benefits specified hereunder in the
event of the Participant’s death.  If there
is no valid Beneficiary designation in effect, or if there is no surviving
designated Beneficiary, then the Participant’s surviving spouse shall be the
Beneficiary.  If there is no surviving
spouse to receive any benefits payable in accordance with the preceding
sentence, the duly appointed and currently acting personal representative of
the Participant’s estate (which shall include either the Participant’s probate
estate or living trust) shall be the Beneficiary.  In any case where there is no such personal
representative of the Participant’s estate duly appointed and acting in that
capacity within 90 days after the Participant’s death (or such extended period
as the Committee determines is reasonably necessary to allow such personal
representative to be appointed, but not to exceed 180 days after the
Participant’s death), then Beneficiary shall mean the person or persons who can
verify by affidavit or court order to the satisfaction of the Committee that
they are legally entitled to receive the benefits specified hereunder.  In the event any amount is payable under the
Plan to a minor, payment shall not be made to the minor, but instead be paid
(a) to that person’s living parent(s) to act as custodian, (b) if that person’s
parents are then divorced, and one parent is the sole custodial parent, to such
custodial parent, or (c) if no parent of that person is then living, to a
custodian selected by the Committee to hold the funds for the minor under the
Uniform Transfers or Gifts to Minors Act in effect in the jurisdiction in which
the minor resides.  If no parent is
living and the Committee decides not to select another custodian to hold the
funds for the minor, then payment shall

 

2

 

be made to the duly appointed and currently acting guardian of the
estate for the minor or, if no guardian of the estate for the minor is duly
appointed and currently acting within 60 days after the date the amount becomes
payable, payment shall be deposited with the court having jurisdiction over the
estate of the minor.

 

“Board of Directors” or “Board”
shall mean the Board of Directors of The Macerich Company.

 

“Bonus”
shall mean any incentive compensation payable to a Participant in addition to
the Participant’s Salary prior to any deferrals under this Plan or any salary
reduction contributions to a plan described in Section 401(k) of the Code or
Section 125 of the Code.

 

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

 

“Committee” shall mean
the Committee appointed pursuant to Section 9.1 of this Plan.

 

“Company”
shall mean The Macerich Company, its subsidiaries and successors and, where the
context warrants, The Macerich Partnership, L.P., Macerich Property Management
Company, LLC, Macerich Management Company, Westcor Partners, LLC, Westcor
Realty Limited Partnership and Macerich Westcor Management Company.

 

“Company
Matching Account” shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the
Committee for each Participant that is credited with an amount equal to

 

3

 

(1) the Company Matching Amount, and (2) earnings or losses thereon
pursuant to Section 4.2.

 

“Company
Matching Amount” shall mean an amount equal to a percentage, determined by the
Company in its sole discretion, of the amount of Compensation deferred under
the Plan for the Plan Year.

 

“Compensation”
shall mean the Salary and Bonus that the Participant is entitled to for
services rendered to the Company.

 

“Deferral
Account” shall mean the bookkeeping account maintained by the Committee for
each Participant that is credited with amounts equal to (1) the portion of the
Participant’s Salary that he or she elects to defer, (2) the portion of the
Participant’s Bonus that he or she elects to defer, and (3) earnings or
losses thereon pursuant to Section 4.1.

 

“Earnings
Rate” shall mean, for each Fund, an amount equal to the net rate of gain or
loss on the assets of such Fund determined for each business day.

 

“Effective Date” of this
Plan shall mean January 1, 2005.

 

“Eligible
Employee” for any Plan Year shall mean each key executive of the Company
designated by the Committee whose annualized Salary is equal to or greater than
$120,000.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any key executive of the Company designated by the Committee who is a
participant in the Prior Plan shall be an Eligible Employee for purposes of
this Plan.

 

4

 

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

 

“Fund” or “Funds” shall
mean one or more of the investment funds designated in Section 3.2(a).

 

“Key Employee” shall mean
any Participant who is a “key employee” of the Company as defined in Section
416(i) of the Code.

 

“Participant”
shall mean any Eligible Employee who elects to defer compensation in accordance
with Section 3.1.

 

“Payment
Eligibility Date” shall mean the first day of the month following the day on
which a Participant terminates employment or dies; provided, however, that if a
Participant is a Key Employee and his or her employment terminates for any
reason other than death, then the Payment Eligibility Date shall mean the last
day of the six-month period immediately following the Participant’s termination
of employment (or, if the Participant dies prior to the end of such six-month
period, the date of the Participant’s death). 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a termination of employment shall not be
deemed to have occurred for any purpose under the Plan unless such termination
of employment constitutes a “separation from service” as defined under Section
409A (or other applicable section) of the Code and any regulations promulgated
thereunder.

 

“Plan”
shall mean The Macerich Company 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for Senior
Executives set forth herein, now in effect, or as amended from time to time.

 

5

 

“Plan
Year” shall mean the 12 consecutive month period beginning on January 1 each
year.

 

“Prior
Plan” shall mean The Macerich Company Deferred Compensation Plan for Senior
Executives, as amended.

 

“Salary”
shall mean the Participant’s base pay prior to any deferrals under this Plan or
any other nonqualified elective plan of deferred compensation maintained by the
Company or any salary reduction contributions to a plan described in Section
401(k) of the Code or Section 125 of the Code.

 

6

 

ARTICLE II

PARTICIPATION

 

2.1                                 Participation.

 

Participation
in the Plan is voluntary.  An Eligible
Employee shall become a Participant in the Plan by electing to defer
Compensation in accordance with Section 3.1.

 

7

 

ARTICLE III

DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

 

3.1                                 Elections to Defer Compensation.

 

(a)                                  Elections
to Defer.  Each Eligible Employee may
elect to defer Compensation for any Plan Year by filing with the Committee an
election that conforms to the requirements of this Section 3.1, on a form
provided by the Committee, no later than the December 15 immediately preceding
such Plan Year (or such later date that the Committee determines, but in no
event later than December 31) in which the Compensation is to be earned.  The Committee shall notify each Eligible
Employee of his or her eligibility to participate in the Plan at least 10 days
prior to the time he or she must file an election for participation.  Each participation election shall signify the
portion of the Eligible Employee’s Salary or Bonus, as applicable, that he or
she elects to defer.

 

(b)                                 Amount
of Deferrals.  Subject to the
limitation described in the second sentence of this Section 3.1(b), the amount
of Compensation that an Eligible Employee may elect to defer is as follows:

 

(1)                                  Any
percentage of Salary up to 50%, except that Mace Siegel, Dana Anderson, Arthur
Coppola and Edward Coppola may each defer up to 100% of Salary, which Salary
percentage shall be deferred ratably over the Plan Year; and/or

 

(2)                                  Any
percentage of Bonus, if any, up to 100%.

 

8

 

Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the maximum amount of Compensation that an Eligible Employee may
defer under this Plan and any other nonqualified elective plan of deferred
compensation maintained by the Company shall be reduced by the amount of
Compensation that the Eligible Employee could have deferred under any qualified
cash or deferred arrangement as described in Section 401(k) of the Code (a “401(k)
Plan”) without violating Section 402(g) of the Code or the maximum elective
contributions permitted under the terms of the 401(k) Plan.

 

(c)                                  Effect
of Election.  An election to defer
Salary for a Plan Year shall apply to all Salary earned during each pay period
beginning in such Plan Year, and an election to defer Bonuses for a Plan Year
shall apply to any Bonus earned during such Plan Year.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an individual
who becomes an Eligible Employee during a Plan Year may elect to participate in
the Plan during such Plan Year by filing such written application with the
Committee no later than the 30th day following the date on which such
individual becomes an Eligible Employee. 
An election filed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be
effective solely with respect to Salary and that portion of any Bonus  earned on or after the first day of the first complete pay
period commencing after the filing of such election.

 

(d)                                 Irrevocability.  Any election filed pursuant to this Section
3.1 shall apply only prospectively and shall be irrevocable for the Plan Year
(or portion thereof) to which such election applies.

 

(e)                                  Withholding
Taxes.  Any deferral election that,
either alone or in combination with a deferral election under this or any other
nonqualified elective

 

9

 

deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company (hereinafter
referred to as an “Other Plan”), would reduce the Compensation payable to a
Participant for a Plan Year to an amount less than the amount of federal, state
and local withholding taxes applicable to his or her total deferred and
nondeferred Compensation for such Plan Year and to any of his or her Company
Matching Amounts (under this Plan and/or an Other Plan) that are subject to
withholding taxes for such Plan Year shall be subject to the Company’s receipt
from the Participant of an amount equal to the excess of such withholding taxes
over the nondeferred Compensation payable to the Participant (the “Withholding
Tax Deficiency”) on or before December 31 of such Plan Year.  In the event that a Participant fails to
timely pay to the Company the total amount of such Withholding Tax Deficiency,
the Company shall reduce the amount credited to a Participant’s Deferral
Account under this Plan or to the Participant’s account under an Other Plan or
any combination thereof, in the Company’s sole discretion, by an amount equal
to the unpaid Withholding Tax Deficiency plus any additional withholding taxes
due as a result of such reduction in the amount of the Participant’s deferred
Compensation for the Plan Year.  In
addition, in the event of a reduction in the amount of a Participant’s
Compensation that is deferred under this Plan pursuant to the preceding
sentence, the Company shall reduce the amount of any Company Matching Amount
under this Plan for the Participant for the Plan Year to reflect such reduction
in the amount of deferred Compensation.

 

3.2                                 Investment Elections.

 

(a)                                  At
the time of making the first deferral election described in Section 3.1, the
Participant shall designate, on a form provided by the Committee or otherwise
in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, the Fund or

 

10

 

Funds in which the Participant’s deferrals under such election (and any
subsequent deferral elections) and corresponding Company Matching Amounts will
be deemed to be invested for purposes of determining the amount of earnings or
losses to be credited to the Participant’s Accounts.  As of the Effective Date, the Funds shall be
the following:

 

1.                                       Northwestern
Mutual Life Guaranteed Interest Fund

 

2.                                       Northwestern
Mutual Life Money Market Fund

 

3.                                       Northwestern
Mutual Life Select Bond Fund

 

4.                                       Northwestern
Mutual Life High Yield Bond Fund

 

5.                                       Northwestern
Mutual Life Balanced Fund

 

6.                                       Northwestern
Mutual Life Index 500 Stock Fund

 

7.                                       Mason
Street Advisors Large Cap Core Stock Fund

 

8.                                       Northwestern
Mutual Life Growth Stock Fund

 

9.                                       Franklin
Templeton International Equity Fund

 

10.                                 Northwestern
Mutual Life Aggressive Growth Stock Fund

 

11.                                 Northwestern
Mutual Life Index 400 Stock Fund

 

12.                                 Russell
Real Estate Securities Fund

 

13.                                 T.
Rowe Price Small Cap Value Fund

 

(b)                                 In
making the designation pursuant to this Section 3.2, the Participant must
specify, in whole numbers, the percentage of his or her Deferral Account and
Company Matching Account that shall be deemed to be invested in one or more of
the Funds.  Effective as of the end of
the day on which the Committee receives the Participant’s election, a
Participant may change the designation made under this Section 3.2 by filing an
election in accordance with procedures established by the Committee.  If

 

11

 

a Participant fails to elect a Fund under this Section 3.2, he or she
shall be deemed to have elected the Northwestern Mutual Life Money Market Fund.

 

(c)                                  The
Earnings Rate of each Fund shall be used to determine the amount of earnings or
losses to be credited to the Participant’s Accounts under Article IV.  The Company reserves the right to increase or
decrease the number of the Funds listed in Section 3.2(a), as well as the right
to designate other investment funds as the Funds (instead of those currently
listed in Section 3.2(a)) for purposes of this Plan.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding
the Participant’s ability to designate the Funds in which his or her Accounts
shall be deemed to be invested, the Company shall have no obligation to invest
any funds in accordance with any Participant’s election.  A Participant’s Accounts shall merely be
bookkeeping entries on the Company’s books, and no Participant shall obtain any
interest in any Funds.

 

12

 

ARTICLE IV

PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS

 

4.1                                 Deferral Account.

 

The
Committee shall establish and maintain a Deferral Account for each Participant
under the Plan.  Each Participant’s
Deferral Account shall be divided into separate subaccounts (“investment fund
subaccounts”), each of which corresponds to an investment fund elected by the
Participant pursuant to Section 3.2.  A
Participant’s Deferral Account shall be credited as follows:

 

(a)                                  As
of the last date of each month, the Committee shall credit the investment fund
subaccounts of the Participant’s Deferral Account with an amount equal to
Salary deferred by the Participant during each pay period ending in that month
in accordance with the Participant’s election under Section 3.2(a); that is,
the portion of the Participant’s deferred Salary that the Participant has
elected to be deemed to be invested in a certain Fund shall be credited to the
investment fund subaccount corresponding to that Fund;

 

(b)                                 As
of the last day of the month in which the Bonus or partial Bonus would have
been paid, the Committee shall credit the investment fund subaccounts of the
Participant’s Deferral Account with an amount equal to the portion of the Bonus
deferred by the Participant’s election under Section 3.2(a); that is, the
portion of the Participant’s deferred Bonus that the Participant has elected to
be deemed to be invested in a particular Fund shall be credited to the
investment fund subaccount corresponding to that Fund; and

 

13

 

(c)                                  As
of the end of each business day, each investment fund subaccount of a
Participant’s Deferral Account shall be credited with earnings or losses in an
amount equal to that determined by multiplying the balance of such investment
fund subaccount as of the end of the prior business day by the Earnings Rate
for the corresponding Fund for the day of crediting.

 

4.2           Company Matching Account.

 

The
Committee shall establish and maintain a separate Company Matching Account for
each Participant under the Plan.  Each
Participant’s Company Matching Account shall be divided into separate
investment fund subaccounts corresponding to the investment funds elected by
the Participant pursuant to Section 3.2. 
A Participant’s Company Matching Account shall be credited as follows:

 

(a)                                  As
of the last day of each Plan Year or at more frequent intervals as determined
by the Committee, the Company shall credit the investment fund subaccounts of
the Participant’s Company Matching Account with an amount equal to the Company
Matching Amount, if any, applicable to that Participant; that is, the portion
of the Company Matching Amount, if any, which the Participant elected to be
deemed to be invested in a certain Fund shall be credited to the corresponding
investment fund subaccount; and

 

(b)                                 As
of the end of each business day, each investment fund subaccount of a
Participant’s Company Matching Amount shall be credited with earnings or losses
in an amount equal to that determined by multiplying the

 

14

 

balance of such investment fund subaccount as of the
end of the prior business day by the Earnings Rate for the corresponding Fund
for the day of crediting.

 

In addition, the Company
may at any time direct the Committee to credit a Participant’s Company Matching
Account with such additional amount that the Company has determined, for any
reason, to credit to such Participant.

 

15

 

ARTICLE V

VESTING

 

5.1                                 Deferral Account.

 

A Participant’s Deferral
Account shall at all times be 100% vested.

 

5.2                                 Company Matching Account.

 

A Participant’s Company
Matching Account shall at all times be 100% vested.

 

16

 

ARTICLE VI

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

6.1                                 Time and Form of Distribution.

 

(a)                                  The
amount credited to a Participant’s Deferral Account and the amount credited to
his or her Company Matching Account shall be paid to the Participant (or, in
the case of his or her death, Beneficiary) in the form of a cash lump sum
payment on his or her Payment Eligibility Date. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, on a distribution election form filed
simultaneously with and in the same manner as the first deferral election form
that a Participant files in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1
hereof, a Participant may elect to have the amounts credited to his or her
Accounts distributed to him or her in any one of the following optional forms
of distribution:

 

(1)                                  A
scheduled in-service distribution on a specified date (no earlier than January
1 of the year following the Participant’s first year of participation in the
Plan) of all or a specified percentage of the amount credited to the
Participant’s Accounts (as of the specified date), with all remaining amounts
then credited or subsequently credited to the Participant’s Accounts
distributed in a lump sum on the Participant’s Payment Eligibility Date;
provided that, if the Participant’s Payment Eligibility Date occurs prior to
the scheduled in-service distribution date, then the total amount credited to
the Participant’s Accounts will be paid in a lump sum payment on the
Participant’s Payment Eligibility Date;

 

17

 

(2)                                  A
cash lump sum payable on the later of some specified date or the Participant’s
Payment Eligibility Date;

 

(3)                                  A
specified number of substantially equal monthly installments (not to exceed
180) commencing on the later of a specified date or the Participant’s Payment
Eligibility Date;

 

(4)                                  A
specified number of substantially equal annual installments (not to exceed 15) commencing
on the later of a specified date or the Participant’s Payment Eligibility Date;
or

 

(5)                                  Any
other method selected by the Participant that is approved by the Committee in
its sole and absolute discretion, provided that payment is not made or payments
do not begin before the Participant’s Payment Eligibility Date.

 

(b)                                 An
election made under Section 6.1(a) shall apply to all amounts deferred for all
Plan Years under this Plan and may be changed only in accordance with Section
6.3.

 

(c)                                  The
Participant’s Accounts shall continue to be credited with earnings or losses
pursuant to Article IV of the Plan until all amounts credited to his or her
Accounts under the Plan have been distributed.

 

(d)                                 For
all purposes under this Plan, a Participant shall not be considered terminated
from employment if the Participant remains employed by The Macerich Company,
any of its subsidiaries, The Macerich Partnership, L.P., Macerich Property
Management Company, LLC, Macerich Management Company, Westcor

 

18

 

Partners, LLC, Westcor Realty Limited Partnership or Macerich Westcor
Management Company.

 

(e)                                  In
the event of the death of a Participant, the benefits described in this Section
6.1 shall be paid to the Participant’s Beneficiary in accordance with the
Participant’s election hereunder.

 

6.2                                 Small Benefits.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the
contrary, if the amount distributable in a form other than a cash lump sum to a
Participant (or to the Beneficiary of a Participant as a result of the
Participant’s death) is less than $10,000, such amount shall be paid in the
form of a cash lump sum to the Participant (or Beneficiary);  provided, however, that if this provision
would cause amounts deferred under this Plan to be included in the income of a Participant
prior to the date of distribution, this provision shall not apply and distributions
to each Participant shall be in accordance his or her election under this Plan.

 

6.3                                 Change in Election of Time and Form
of Distribution.

 

A Participant may elect to change his or her
distribution election under Section 6.1 by filing a new election with the
Committee; provided, however, that (i) no such election shall be effective
until one year after the date on which the election is made, (ii) the first
payment with respect to which such election is made must be deferred for a
period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise
have been made (except for distributions on account of death or hardship distributions),
and (iii) any election related to a payment that commences on any date other
than the Payment

 

19

 

Eligibility Date shall only be effective if it is made at least twelve
months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment under such election.

 

20

 

ARTICLE VII

HARDSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS

 

7.1                                 Hardship Distribution.

 

(a)                                  Upon
written request of a Participant, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, make
a lump sum payment and/or accelerate the payment of installment payments due to
a Participant in order to meet a severe financial hardship to the Participant
resulting from (1) an illness or accident of the Participant, the
Participant’s spouse or a dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code) of
the Participant, (2) loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty,
or (3) other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising
as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.  However, no payment shall be made under this
Section 7.1 to the extent that a hardship is or may be relieved (1) through
reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or (2) by liquidation
of the Participant’s assets, to the extent the liquidation of such assets would
not itself cause severe financial hardship. 
The amount of any hardship lump sum payment and/or accelerated amount shall
not exceed the lesser of (1) the amount required to meet the immediate
financial need created by such hardship plus amounts necessary to pay taxes
reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution or (2) the entire
amounts credited to the Participant’s Accounts. 
The amount of any such payment shall be deducted from the amount
credited to the Participant’s Accounts, pro rata from among each of the
investment subaccounts of the Participant’s Deferral Account and Company Matching
Account.  The remaining amounts credited
to a Participant’s Accounts shall be distributed in accordance with the
Participant’s distribution election.

 

21

 

ARTICLE VIII

LIFE INSURANCE FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

 

8.1           Life Insurance Coverage.

 

Each Eligible Employee shall
be eligible for life insurance coverage pursuant to the provisions of Article
VIII of the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan for Senior Executives.

 

22

 

ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATION

 

9.1                                 Members.

 

A
Committee shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board of Directors.  The number of members comprising the
Committee shall be determined by the Board, which may from time to time vary
the number of members.  A member of the
Committee may resign by delivering a written notice of resignation to the
Board.  The Board may remove any member
by delivering a certified copy of its resolution of removal to such
member.  Vacancies in the membership of
the Committee shall be filled promptly by the Board.

 

9.2                                 Committee Action.

 

The
Plan shall be administered by the Committee. 
The Committee shall act at meetings by affirmative vote of a majority of
the members of the Committee.  Any action
permitted to be taken at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if, prior to
such action, a written consent to the action is signed by all members of the
Committee and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings
of the Committee.  A member of the
Committee shall not vote or act upon any matter which relates solely to himself
or herself as a Participant.  The
Chairman or any other member or members of the Committee designated by the
Chairman may execute any certificate or other written direction on behalf of
the Committee.

 

23

 

9.3                                 Powers and Duties of the Committee.

 

(a)                                  The
Committee, on behalf of the Participants and their Beneficiaries, shall enforce
the Plan in accordance with its terms, shall be charged with the general
administration of the Plan, and shall have all powers necessary to accomplish
its purposes, including, but not by way of limitation, the following:

 

(1)                                  To
determine all questions relating to the eligibility of employees to
participate;

 

(2)                                  To
construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan;

 

(3)                                  To
compute the Earnings Rate for each Fund in accordance with the terms of the
Plan;

 

(4)                                  To
compute and certify to the amount and kind of benefits payable to Participants
and their Beneficiaries;

 

(5)                                  To
maintain all records that may be necessary for the administration of the Plan;

 

(6)                                  To
provide for the disclosure of all information and the filing or provision of
all reports and statements to Participants, Beneficiaries or governmental
agencies as shall be required by law;

 

24

 

(7)                                  To
make and publish such rules for the regulation of the Plan and procedures for
the administration of the Plan as are not inconsistent with the terms hereof;
and

 

(8)                                  To
appoint a plan administrator or any other agent, and to delegate to them such
powers and duties in connection with the administration of the Plan as the
Committee may from time to time prescribe.

 

9.4           Construction and Interpretation.

 

The
Committee shall have full discretion to construe and interpret the terms and
provisions of this Plan, which interpretation or construction shall be final
and binding on all parties, including but not limited to the Company and any
Participant or Beneficiary.  The
Committee shall administer such terms and provisions in a uniform and nondiscriminatory
manner and in full accordance with any and all laws applicable to the Plan.

 

9.5           Information.

 

To
enable the Committee to perform its functions, the Company shall supply full
and timely information to the Committee on all matters relating to the
Compensation of all Participants, their death or other cause of termination,
and such other pertinent facts as the Committee may require.

 

25

 

9.6                                 Compensation,
Expenses and Indemnity.

 

(a)                                  The
members of the Committee shall serve without compensation for their services
hereunder.

 

(b)                                 The
Committee is authorized at the expense of the Company to employ such legal
counsel as it may deem advisable to assist in the performance of its duties
hereunder.  Expenses and fees in
connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

 

(c)                                  To
the extent permitted by applicable state law, the Company shall indemnify and
save harmless the Committee and each member thereof, the Board of Directors and
any delegate of the Committee who is an employee of the Company against any and
all expenses, liabilities and claims, including legal fees to defend against
such liabilities and claims arising out of their discharge in good faith of
responsibilities under or incident to the Plan, other than expenses and
liabilities arising out of willful misconduct. 
This indemnity shall not preclude such further indemnities as may be
available under insurance purchased by the Company or provided by the Company
under any bylaw, agreement or otherwise, as such indemnities are permitted
under state law.

 

9.7                                 Quarterly Statements.

 

Under
procedures established by the Committee, a Participant shall receive a
statement with respect to such Participant’s Accounts as soon as practicable
following the end of each calendar quarter ending on March 31, June 30,
September 30 or December 31.

 

26

 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1                           Unsecured General Creditor.

 

Participants
and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors, and assigns shall have no legal or
equitable rights, claims, or interest in any specific property or assets of the
Company.  No assets of the Company shall
be held under any trust, or held in any way as collateral security for the fulfilling
of the obligations of the Company under this Plan.  Any and all of the Company’s assets shall be,
and remain, the general, unpledged, unrestricted assets of the Company.  The Company’s obligation under the Plan shall
be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Company to pay money
in the future, and the rights of the Participants and Beneficiaries shall be no
greater than those of unsecured general creditors.

 

10.2                           Restriction Against Assignment.

 

The
Company shall pay all amounts payable hereunder only to the person or persons
designated by the Plan and not to any other person or corporation.  No part of a Participant’s Accounts shall be
liable for the debts, contracts, or engagements of any Participant, his or her
Beneficiary, or successors in interest, nor shall a Participant’s Accounts be
subject to execution by levy, attachment, or garnishment or by any other legal
or equitable proceeding, nor shall any such person have any right to alienate,
anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber, or assign any benefits or payments hereunder
in any manner whatsoever.  If any
Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest is adjudicated bankrupt or
purports to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge,

 

27

 

encumber or charge any distribution or payment from the Plan,
voluntarily or involuntarily, the Committee, in its discretion, may cancel such
distribution or payment (or any part thereof) to or for the benefit of such
Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest in such manner as the
Committee shall direct.

 

10.3                           Withholding.

 

(a)                                  There
shall be deducted from each payment made under the Plan all taxes which are
required to be withheld by the Company in respect to such payment.  The Company shall have the right to reduce
any payment by the amount of cash sufficient to provide the amount of said
taxes.

 

(b)                                 In
the event that a Participant defers compensation in excess of the amount
required to be withheld for federal, state or local tax purposes, the
provisions of Section 3.1(e) shall apply.

 

10.4                           Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination.

 

The
Company may amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part.  The Committee may amend the Plan to (a)
ensure the Plan complies with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code for
the deferral of taxation on deferred compensation to the time of distribution
and (b) add provisions for changes to the deferral elections and elections as
to the time and manner of distributions that comply with such requirements of Section
409A of the Code.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing rights of the Company and the Committee to amend the Plan, no
amendment, modification, suspension or termination shall reduce any amounts
allocated previously to

 

28

 

a Participant’s Accounts.  In the
event that this Plan is terminated, the amounts credited to a Participant’s
Deferral Account and Company Matching Account shall be distributed to the
Participant or, in the event of his or her death, to his or her Beneficiary in
a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the date of termination; provided,
however, if the foregoing provision would cause the amounts deferred under this
Plan to be included in the income of Participants prior to the date of
distribution, such provision shall not apply and distributions to the
Participants or their Beneficiaries shall be made on the dates on which the
Participants or their Beneficiaries would receive benefits hereunder without
regard to the termination of the Plan. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if amounts deferred under the Plan have
become taxable to Participants as of the date of the Plan termination,
distributions shall be made as soon as practicable following the termination of
the Plan.  The Company reserves the right
to change the Funds as described in Section 3.2(d).

 

10.5                           Governing Law.

 

The
Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Section 409A (or
other applicable section) of the Code, and any regulations promulgated
thereunder, and the laws of the State of California to the extent such laws are
not preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

 

10.6                           Receipt or Release.

 

Any
payment to a Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary in accordance with the
provisions of the Plan shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of
all claims against the Committee and the Company.  The Committee may

 

29

 

require such Participant or Beneficiary, as a condition precedent to
such payment, to execute a receipt and release to such effect.

 

10.7                           Payments on Behalf of Persons under
Incapacity.

 

In the
event that any amount becomes payable under the Plan to a person who, in the
sole judgment of the Committee, is considered by reason of physical or mental
condition to be unable to give a valid receipt therefor, the Committee may
direct that such payment be made to any person found by the Committee, in its
sole judgment, to have assumed the care of such person.  Any payment made pursuant to such
determination shall constitute a full release and discharge of the Committee
and the Company.

 

10.8                           Headings,
etc. Not Part of Agreement.

 

Headings
and subheadings in this Plan are inserted for convenience of reference only and
are not to be considered in the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

10.9                           Limitation on Participants’ Rights.

 

Participation
in this Plan shall not give any Eligible Employee the right to be retained in
the Company’s employ or any right or interest in the Plan other than as herein
provided.  The Company reserves the right
to dismiss any Eligible Employee without any liability for any claim against
the Company, except to the extent provided herein.

 

30

 

ARTICLE XI

CLAIMS PROCEDURE

 

11.1                           Claims Procedure.

 

(a)                                  Claim.  A person who believes that he or she is being
denied a benefit to which he or she is entitled under this Plan (hereinafter
referred to as “Claimant”) may file a written request for such benefit with the
Committee, setting forth his or her claim. 
The request must be addressed to the Committee at the Company’s then
principal place of business.  Within a
reasonable period of time, but not later than 90 days after receipt of a claim
for benefits, the Committee or its delegate shall notify the Claimant of any
adverse benefit determination on the claim, unless special circumstances
require an extension of time for processing the claim.  In no event may the extension period exceed
90 days from the end of the initial 90-day period.  If an extension is necessary, the Committee
or its delegate shall provide the Claimant with a written notice to this effect
prior to the expiration of the initial 90-day period.  The notice shall describe the special circumstances
requiring the extension and the date by which the Committee or its delegate
expects to render a determination on the claim.

 

(b)                                 Claim
Decision.  In the case of an adverse
benefit determination, the Committee or its delegate shall provide to the Claimant
written or electronic notification setting forth in a manner calculated to be
understood by the Claimant:  (i) the
specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination, (ii)
reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the adverse benefit
determination is based, (iii) a description of any additional material or
information necessary for the Claimant to

 

31

 

perfect the claim and an explanation of why the material or information
is necessary, and (iv) a description of the Plan’s claim review procedures and
the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimant’s
right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an
adverse final benefit determination on review.

 

(c)                                  Request
for Review.  Within 60 days after
receipt by the Claimant of notification of the adverse benefit determination,
the Claimant or his duly authorized representative, upon written application to
the Committee, may request that the Committee fully and fairly review the
adverse benefit determination.  On review
of an adverse benefit determination, upon request and free of charge, the Claimant
shall have reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and
other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits.  The Claimant shall have the opportunity to
submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to
the claim for benefits.  The Committee’s
(or delegate’s) review shall take into account all comments, documents,
records, and other information submitted regardless of whether the information
was previously considered in the initial adverse benefit determination.

 

(d)                                 Review
of Decision.  Within a reasonable
period of time, but not later than 60 days after receipt of such request for
review, the Committee or its delegate shall notify the Claimant of any final
benefit determination on the claim, unless special circumstances require an
extension of time for processing the claim. 
In no event may the extension period exceed 60 days from the end of the
initial 60-day period.  If an extension
is necessary, the Committee or its delegate shall provide the Claimant with a
written notice to this effect prior to the expiration of the initial 60-day
period.  The notice

 

32

 

shall describe the special circumstances requiring the extension and
the date by which the Committee or its delegate expects to render a final
determination on the request for review. 
In the case of an adverse final benefit determination, the Committee or
its delegate shall provide to the Claimant written or electronic notification
setting forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant:  (i) the specific reason or reasons for the
adverse final benefit determination; (ii) reference to the specific Plan
provisions on which the adverse final benefit determination is based; (iii) a
statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of
charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other
information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits; and (iv) a statement
of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA
following an adverse final benefit determination on review.

 

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this document to be executed by its
duly authorized officers on this            
day of                                  ,
2004.

 

	
   

  	
  THE MACERICH COMPANY

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
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  By

  	
   

  	
   

  

 

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