Document:

Amended and Restated 2004 National Coal Corp

 Exhibit 10.1 

AMENDED AND RESTATED 

2004 NATIONAL COAL CORP. 

OPTION PLAN 

(Revised June 21, 2010) 

SECTION 1: GENERAL PURPOSE OF PLAN 

The name of this plan is the 2004 NATIONAL COAL CORP. OPTION PLAN (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to enable
NATIONAL COAL CORP., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), and any Parent or any Subsidiary to obtain and retain the services of the types of Employees, Consultants and Directors who will contribute to the Company’s long range
success and to provide incentives which are linked directly to increases in share value which will inure to the benefit of all stockholders of the Company. 

SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS 

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below: 

“Administrator” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3, hereof. 

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

“Cause” means (i) failure by an Eligible Person to substantially perform his or her duties and obligations to the
Company (other than any such failure resulting from his or her incapacity due to physical or mental illness); (ii) engaging in misconduct or a fiduciary breach which is or potentially is materially injurious to the Company or its stockholders;
(iii) commission of a felony; (iv) the commission of a crime against the Company which is or potentially is materially injurious to the Company; or (v) as otherwise provided in the Stock Option Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement.
For purposes of this Plan, the existence of Cause shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. 

“Change in Control” shall mean: 

The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if more
than 50% of the combined voting power (which voting power shall be calculated by assuming the conversion of all equity securities convertible (immediately or at some future time) into shares entitled to vote, but not assuming the exercise of any
warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase those shares) of the continuing or Surviving Entity’s securities outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization is owned, directly or indirectly, by persons who were
not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization; provided, however, that in making the determination of ownership by the stockholders of the Company, immediately after the reorganization,
equity securities which persons own immediately before the reorganization as stockholders of another party to the transaction shall be disregarded; or 

The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. 

A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or
to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. 

 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time. 
 “Committee” means a committee of the Board designated by the Board to administer the Plan. 

“Company” means NATIONAL COAL CORP., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida (or any successor
corporation). 
 “Consultant” means a consultant or advisor who is a natural person or a legal entity and who
provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary; provided such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market
for the Company’s securities. 
 “Date of Grant” means the date on which the Administrator adopts a
resolution expressly granting a Right to a Participant or, if a different date is set forth in such resolution as the Date of Grant, then such date as is set forth in such resolution. 

“Director” means a member of the Board. 

“Disability” means that the Optionee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment; provided, however, for purposes of determining the term of an ISO pursuant to Section 6.6 hereof, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Code Section 22(e)(3). The
determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Plan Administrator. 

“Eligible Person” means an Employee, Consultant or Director of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary. 

“Employee” shall mean any individual who is a common-law employee (including officers) of the Company, a Parent or a
Subsidiary. 
 “Exercise Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3 hereof. 

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

“Fair Market Value” shall mean the fair market value of a Share, determined as follows: (i) if the Stock is listed
on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation, the NASDAQ National Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were
reported) as quoted on such system or exchange (or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in the Stock) on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other source as the
Administrator deems reliable; (ii) if the Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ System (but not on the NASDAQ National Market) or any similar system whereby the stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but closing sale prices are not
reported, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the mean between the bid and asked prices for the Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other source as the
Administrator deems reliable; or (iii) in the absence of an established market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

 “First Refusal Right” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.7 hereof. 

 “ISO” means a Stock Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock
option” as that term is defined in Section 422(b) of the Code. 
 “Non-Employee Director” means a
member of the Board who is not an Employee of the Company, a Parent or Subsidiary, who satisfies the requirements of such term as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means a Stock Option not described in Section 422(b) of the Code. 

“Offeree” means a Participant who is granted a Purchase Right pursuant to the Plan. 

“Optionee” means a Participant who is granted a Stock Option pursuant to the Plan. 

“Outside Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee of the Company, a Parent or Subsidiary, who
satisfies the requirements of such term as defined in Treasury Regulations (26 Code of Federal Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(3)). 

“Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if
each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date
after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date. 
 “Participant” means
any Eligible Person selected by the Administrator, pursuant to the Administrator’s authority in Section 3, to receive grants of Rights. 

“Plan” means this 2004 NATIONAL COAL CORP. OPTION PLAN, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 “Purchase Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3. 

“Purchase Right” means the right to purchase Stock granted pursuant to Section 7. 

“Rights” means Stock Options and Purchase Rights. 

“Repurchase Right” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.8 of the Plan. 

“Service” shall mean service as an Employee, Director or Consultant. 

“Stock” means Common Stock of the Company. 

“Stock Option” or “Option” means an option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to
Section 6. 
 “Stock Option Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1. 

“Stock Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1. 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the
Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation
that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date. 

 “Surviving Entity” means the Company if immediately following any merger,
consolidation or similar transaction, the holders of outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the merger or consolidation own equity securities possessing more than 50% of the voting power of the corporation existing
following the merger, consolidation or similar transaction. In all other cases, the other entity to the transaction and not the Company shall be the Surviving Entity. In making the determination of ownership by the stockholders of an
entity immediately after the merger, consolidation or similar transaction, equity securities which the stockholders owned immediately before the merger, consolidation or similar transaction as stockholders of another party to the transaction shall
be disregarded. Further, outstanding voting securities of an entity shall be calculated by assuming the conversion of all equity securities convertible (immediately or at some future time) into shares entitled to vote. 

“Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who on the Date of Grant owns, either directly or through attribution as
provided in Section 424 of the Code, Stock constituting more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of his or her employer corporation or of any Parent or Subsidiary. 

SECTION 3: ADMINISTRATION 

3.1 Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by either (i) the Board, or (ii) a Committee appointed by the
Board (the group that administers the Plan is referred to as the “Administrator”). 
 3.2 Powers in
General. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant to Eligible Persons, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, (i) Stock Options, (ii) Purchase Rights or (iii) any combination of the foregoing. 

3.3 Specific Powers. In particular, the Administrator shall have the authority: (i) to construe and interpret the Plan
and apply its provisions; (ii) to promulgate, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan; (iii) to authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the
purposes of the Plan; (iv) to determine when Rights are to be granted under the Plan; (v) from time to time to select, subject to the limitations set forth in this Plan, those Eligible Persons to whom Rights shall be granted; (vi) to
determine the number of shares of Stock to be made subject to each Right; (vii) to determine whether each Stock Option is to be an ISO or a Non-Qualified Stock Option; (viii) to prescribe the terms and conditions of each Stock Option and
Purchase Right, including, without limitation, the Purchase Price and medium of payment, vesting provisions and repurchase provisions, and to specify the provisions of the Stock Option Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement relating to such grant or
sale; (ix) to amend any outstanding Rights for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting, the Purchase Price or Exercise Price, as the case may be, subject to applicable legal restrictions and to the consent of the other party to
such agreement; (x) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan; (xi) to make decisions with respect to
outstanding Stock Options that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments; and (xii) to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for
administration of the Plan. 
 3.4 Decisions Final. All decisions made by the Administrator pursuant to the
provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participants. 

 3.5 The Committee. The Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time
to time, and at any period of time during which the Company’s Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, delegate any or all of its duties and authority with respect to the Plan to the Committee whose members are to be
appointed by and to serve at the pleasure of the Board. From time to time, the Board may increase or decrease the size of the Committee, add additional members to, remove members (with or without cause) from, appoint new members in substitution
therefor, and fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee shall act pursuant to a vote of the majority of its members or, in the case of a committee comprised of only two members, the unanimous consent of its members,
whether present or not, or by the unanimous written consent of the majority of its members and minutes shall be kept of all of its meetings and copies thereof shall be provided to the Board. Subject to the limitations prescribed by the Plan and
the Board, the Committee may establish and follow such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may determine to be advisable. During any period of time during which the Company’s Stock is registered pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act, all members of the Committee shall be Non-Employee Directors and Outside Directors. 
 3.6
Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the extent allowed by applicable law, the Administrator and each of the Administrator’s
consultants shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Administrator
or any of its consultants may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any option granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Administrator or any of its consultants in
settlement thereof (provided that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Administrator or any of its consultants in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or
proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Administrator or any of its consultants did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in
the best interests of the Company, or was grossly negligent, and in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after institution of any such action,
suit or proceeding, such Administrator or any of its consultants shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding. 

SECTION 4: STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN 

4.1 Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9, six million (6,000,000) shares of
Common Stock shall be reserved and available for issuance under the Plan. Stock reserved hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. 

4.2 Basic Limitation. The number of shares that are subject to Rights under the Plan shall not exceed the number of shares
that then remain available for issuance under the Plan. The Company, during the term of the Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available a sufficient number of shares to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. 

4.3 Additional shares. In the event that any outstanding Option or other right for any reason expires or is canceled or
otherwise terminated, the shares allocable to the unexercised portion of such Option or other right shall again be available for the purposes of the Plan. In the event that shares issued under the Plan are reacquired by the Company pursuant to the
terms of any forfeiture provision, right of repurchase or right of first refusal, such shares shall again be available for the purposes of the Plan. 

 SECTION 5: ELIGIBILITY 

Eligible Persons who are selected by the Administrator shall be eligible to be granted Rights hereunder subject to limitations set forth
in this Plan; provided, however, that only Employees shall be eligible to be granted ISOs hereunder. 
 SECTION 6: TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS 
 6.1 Stock Option Agreement. Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced
by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and which
the Administrator deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Option Agreement. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical. 

6.2 Number of shares. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of shares of Stock that are subject to the Option
and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 9, hereof. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify whether the Option is an ISO or a Non-Qualified Stock Option. 

6.3 Exercise Price. 

6.3.1 In General. Each Stock Option Agreement shall state the price at which shares subject to the Stock Option may be
purchased (the “Exercise Price”), which shall, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the Date of Grant. In the case of Non-Qualified Stock Options, the Exercise Price shall
be determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. 
 6.3.2 Payment. The Exercise Price shall be payable in
a form described in Section 8 hereof. 
 6.4 Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of an Option,
the Optionee shall make such arrangements as the Board may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise or with the disposition of shares acquired by
exercising an Option. 
 6.5 Exercisability. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date when all or
any installment of the Option becomes exercisable. In the case of an Optionee who is not an officer of the Company, a Director or a Consultant, an Option shall become exercisable at a rate of no more than 25% per year over a four-year period
commencing on January 1 following the Date of Grant and 25%each year thereafter on January 1. Subject to the preceding sentence, the exercise provisions of any Stock Option Agreement shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole
discretion. 
 6.6 Term. The Stock Option Agreement shall specify the term of the Option. No Option shall be
exercised after the expiration of ten years after the date the Option is granted. Unless otherwise provided in the Stock Option Agreement, no Option may be exercised (i) three months after the date the Optionee’s Service with the Company,
its Parent or its Subsidiaries terminates if such termination is for any reason other than death, Disability or Cause, (ii) one year after the date the Optionee’s Service with the Company, its Parent or its subsidiaries terminates if such
termination is a result of death or Disability, and (iii) if the Optionee’s Service with the Company, its Parent, or its Subsidiaries terminates for Cause, all outstanding Options granted to such Optionee shall expire as of the
commencement of business on the 

 
date of such termination. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, waive the accelerated expiration provided for in (i) or (ii). Outstanding Options that are not exercisable at the
time of termination of employment for any reason shall expire at the close of business on the date of such termination. 
 6.7
Leaves of Absence. For purposes of Section 6.6 above, to the extent required by applicable law, Service shall be deemed to continue while the Optionee is on a bona fide leave of absence. To the extent applicable law does not require
such a leave to be deemed to continue while the Optionee is on a bona fide leave of absence, such leave shall be deemed to continue if, and only if, expressly provided in writing by the Administrator or a duly authorized officer of the Company,
Parent, or Subsidiary for whom Optionee provides his or her services. 
 6.8 Modification, Extension and Assumption of
Options. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify, extend or assume outstanding Options (whether granted by the Company or another issuer) or may accept the cancellation of outstanding Options (whether granted by the
Company or another issuer) in return for the grant of new Options for the same or a different number of shares and at the same or a different Exercise Price. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator may amend a previously granted Option to
fully accelerate the exercise schedule of such Option and provide that upon the exercise of such Option, the Optionee shall receive shares of Restricted Stock that are subject to repurchase by the Company at the Exercise Price paid for the Option in
accordance with Section 8.8.1 with such Company’s right to repurchase at such price lapsing at the same rate as the exercise provisions set forth in Optionee’s Stock Option Agreement. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of
an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, impair the Optionee’s rights or increase the Optionee’s obligations under such Option. However, a termination of the Option in which the Optionee receives a cash payment equal to the
difference between the Fair Market Value and the Exercise Price for all shares subject to exercise under any outstanding Option shall not be deemed to impair any rights of the Optionee or increase the Optionee’s obligations under such Option.

 SECTION 7: TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AWARDS OR SALES 

7.1 Stock Purchase Agreement. Each award or sale of shares under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option) shall be
evidenced by a Stock Purchase Agreement between the Purchaser and the Company. Such award or sale shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent
with the Plan and which the Board deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Purchase Agreement. The provisions of the various Stock Purchase Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical. 

7.2 Duration of Offers. Unless otherwise provided in the Stock Purchase Agreement, any right to acquire shares under the Plan
(other than an Option) shall automatically expire if not exercised by the Purchaser within 15 days after the grant of such right was communicated to the Purchaser by the Company. 

7.3 Purchase Price. 

7.3.1 In General. Each Stock Purchase Agreement shall state the price at which the Stock subject to such Stock Purchase
Agreement may be purchased (the “Purchase Price”), which, with respect to Stock Purchase Rights, shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. 

7.3.2 Payment of Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall be payable in a form described in Section 8. 

 7.4 Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the purchase of shares, the Purchaser
shall make such arrangements as the Board may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such purchase. 

SECTION 8 : PAYMENT; RESTRICTIONS 

8.1 General Rule. The entire Purchase Price or Exercise Price of shares issued under the Plan shall be payable in full by, as
applicable, cash or certified check for an amount equal to the aggregate Purchase Price or Exercise Price for the number of shares being purchased, or in the discretion of the Administrator, upon such terms as the Administrator shall approve,
(i) in the case of an Option and provided the Company’s stock is publicly traded, by a copy of instructions to a broker directing such broker to sell the Stock for which such Option is exercised, and to remit to the Company the aggregate
Exercise Price of such Options (a “cashless exercise”), (ii) in the case of an Option or a sale of Stock, by paying all or a portion of the Exercise Price or Purchase Price for the number of shares being purchased by tendering Stock
owned by the Optionee, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate Purchase Price of the Stock with respect to which such Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised or Stock
acquired (a “stock-for-stock exercise”) or (iii) by a stock-for-stock exercise by means of attestation whereby the Optionee identifies for delivery specific shares of Stock already owned by Optionee and receives a number of shares of
Stock equal to the difference between the Option shares thereby exercised and the identified attestation shares of Stock (an “attestation exercise”). 

8.2 Withholding Payment. The Purchase Price or Exercise Price shall include payment of the amount of all federal, state,
local or other income, excise or employment taxes subject to withholding (if any) by the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation as a result of the exercise of a Stock Option. The Optionee may pay all or a portion of the tax withholding
by cash or check payable to the Company, or, at the discretion of the Administrator, upon such terms as the Administrator shall approve, by (i) cashless exercise or attestation exercise; (ii) stock-for-stock exercise; (iii) in the
case of an Option, by paying all or a portion of the tax withholding for the number of shares being purchased by withholding shares from any transfer or payment to the Optionee (“Stock withholding”); or (iv) a combination of one or
more of the foregoing payment methods. Any shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option and transferred by the Optionee to the Company for the purpose of satisfying any withholding obligation shall not again be available for purposes of
the Plan. The Fair Market Value of the number of shares subject to Stock withholding shall not exceed an amount equal to the applicable minimum required tax withholding rates. 

8.3 Services Rendered. At the discretion of the Administrator, shares may be awarded under the Plan in consideration of
services rendered to the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary prior to the award. 
 8.4 Promissory Note. To the extent
that a Stock Option Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement so provides, in the discretion of the Administrator, upon such terms as the Administrator shall approve, all or a portion of the Exercise Price or Purchase Price (as the case may be) of
shares issued under the Plan may be paid with a full-recourse promissory note. However, in the event there is a stated par value of the shares and applicable law requires, the par value of the shares, if newly issued, shall be paid in cash or
cash equivalents. The shares shall be pledged as security for payment of the principal amount of the promissory note and interest thereon, and held in the possession of the Company until said amounts are repaid in full. The interest rate
payable under the terms of the promissory note shall not be less than the minimum rate (if any) required to avoid the imputation of additional interest under the Code. Subject to the foregoing, the Administrator (at its sole discretion) shall
specify the term, interest rate, amortization requirements (if any) and other provisions of such note. Unless the Administrator 

 
determines otherwise, shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value at least equal to the principal amount of the loan shall be pledged by the holder to the Company as security for payment of the
unpaid balance of the loan and such pledge shall be evidenced by a pledge agreement, the terms of which shall be determined by the Administrator, in its discretion; provided, however, that each loan shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations
and rules of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any other governmental agency having jurisdiction. 
 8.5
Exercise/Pledge. To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement so allows and if Stock is publicly traded, in the discretion of the Administrator, upon such terms as the Administrator shall approve, payment may
be made all or in part by the delivery (on a form prescribed by the Administrator) of an irrevocable direction to pledge shares to a securities broker or lender approved by the Company, as security for a loan, and to deliver all or part of the loan
proceeds to the Company in payment of all or part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes. 
 8.6 Written
Notice. The purchaser shall deliver a written notice to the Administrator requesting that the Company direct the transfer agent to issue to the purchaser (or to his designee) a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock being
exercised or purchased or, in the case of a cashless exercise or share withholding exercise, for any shares that were not sold in the cashless exercise or withheld. 

8.7 First Refusal Right. Each Stock Option Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement may provide that the Company shall have the
right of first refusal (the “First Refusal Right”), exercisable in connection with any proposed sale, hypothecation or other disposition of the Stock purchased by the Optionee or Offeree pursuant to a Stock Option Agreement or Stock
Purchase Agreement; and in the event the holder of such Stock desires to accept a bona fide third-party offer for any or all of such Stock, the Stock shall first be offered to the Company upon the same terms and conditions as are set forth in the
bona fide offer. 
 8.8 Repurchase Rights. Following a termination of the Participant’s Service, the Company
may repurchase the Participant’s Rights as provided in this Section 8.8 (the “Repurchase Right”) 
 8.8.1
Repurchase Price. Following a termination of the Participant’s Service the Repurchase Right shall be exercisable at a price equal to (i) the Fair Market Value of vested Stock or, in the case of exercisable options, the Fair
Market Value of the Stock underlying such unexercised options less the Exercise Price, or (ii) the Purchase Price or Exercise Price, as the case may be, of unvested Stock; provided, however, the right to repurchase unvested stock as described
in Section 8.8.1(ii) shall lapse at a rate of at least 33.33% per year over three years from the date the Right is granted. 

8.8.2 Exercise of Repurchase Right. A Repurchase Right may be exercised only within 90 days after the termination of the
Participant’s Service (or in the case of Stock issued upon exercise of an Option or after the date of termination or the purchase of Stock under a Stock Purchase Agreement after the date of termination, within 90 days after the date of the
exercise or Stock purchase, whichever is applicable) for cash or for cancellation of indebtedness incurred in purchasing the shares. 

8.9 Termination of Repurchase and First Refusal Rights. Each Stock Option Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement shall
provide that the Repurchase Rights and First Refusal Rights shall have no effect with respect to, or shall lapse and cease to have effect when the issuer’s securities become publicly traded or a determination is made by counsel for the Company
that such Repurchase Rights and First Refusal Rights are not permitted under applicable federal or state securities laws. 

 8.10 No Transferability. Except as provided herein, a Participant may not
assign, sell or transfer Rights, in whole or in part, other than by testament or by operation of the laws of descent and distribution. 

8.10.1 Permitted Transfer of Non-Qualified Option. The Administrator, in its sole discretion may permit the transfer of a
Non-Qualified Option (but not an ISO or Stock Purchase Right) as follows: (i) by gift to a member of the Participant’s immediate family, or (ii) by transfer by instrument to a trust providing that the Option is to be passed to
beneficiaries upon death of the Settlor (either or both (i) or (ii) referred to as a “Permitted Transferee”). For purposes of this Section 8.10.1, “immediate family” shall mean the Optionee’s spouse (including
a former spouse subject to terms of a domestic relations order); child, stepchild, grandchild, child-in-law; parent, stepparent, grandparent, parent-in-law; sibling and sibling-in-law, and shall include adoptive relationships. 

8.10.2 Conditions of Permitted Transfer. A transfer permitted under this Section 8.10 hereof may be made only upon
written notice to and approval thereof by Administrator. A Permitted Transferee may not further assign, sell or transfer the transferred Option, in whole or in part, other than by testament or by operation of the laws of descent and distribution. A
Permitted Transferee shall agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Plan, which a copy of said agreement shall be provided to the Administrator for approval prior to the transfer. 

SECTION 9: ADJUSTMENTS; MARKET STAND-OFF 

9.1 Effect of Certain Changes. 

9.1.1 Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc. If there is any change in the number of outstanding shares of Stock by reason of a
stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination or reclassification, then (i) the number of shares of Stock available for Rights, (ii) the number of shares of Stock covered by outstanding Rights, and
(iii) the Exercise Price or Purchase Price of any Stock Option or Purchase Right, in effect prior to such change, shall be proportionately adjusted by the Administrator to reflect any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of
Stock; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from the adjustment shall be eliminated. 
 9.1.2 Liquidation,
Dissolution, Merger or Consolidation. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any corporate separation or division, including, but not limited to, a split-up, a split-off or a spin-off, or a sale of substantially all
of the assets of the Company; a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the Surviving Entity; or a reverse merger in which the Company is the Surviving Entity, but the shares of Company stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger
are converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise, then, the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law, but otherwise in its sole discretion may provide for: (i) the
continuation of outstanding Rights by the Company (if the Company is the Surviving Entity); (ii) the assumption of the Plan and such outstanding Rights by the Surviving Entity or its parent; (iii) the substitution by the Surviving Entity
or its parent of Rights with substantially the same terms for such outstanding Rights; or (iv) the cancellation of such outstanding Rights without payment of any consideration, provided that if such Rights would be canceled in accordance with
the foregoing, the Participant shall have the right, exercisable during the later of the ten-day period ending on the fifth day prior to such merger or consolidation or ten days after the Administrator provides the Rights holder a notice of
cancellation, to exercise such Rights in whole or in part without regard to any installment exercise provisions in the Rights agreement. 

 9.1.3 Par Value Changes. In the event of a change in the Stock of the Company as
presently constituted which is limited to a change of all of its authorized shares with par value, into the same number of shares without par value, or a change in the par value, the shares resulting from any such change shall be “Stock”
within the meaning of the Plan. 
 9.2 Decision of Administrator Final. To the extent that the foregoing adjustments
relate to stock or securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive; provided, however, that each ISO granted pursuant to the Plan shall not be
adjusted in a manner that causes such Stock Option to fail to continue to qualify as an ISO without the prior consent of the Optionee thereof. 

9.3 No Other Rights. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided in this Section 9, no Participant shall have any rights
by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of Company stock or the payment of any dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Company stock of any class or by reason of any of the events described in
Section 9.1, above, or any other issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class; and, except as provided in this Section 9, none of the foregoing events shall affect, and
no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Stock subject to Rights. The grant of a Right pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments,
reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structures or to merge or to consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate or sell, or transfer all or part of its business or assets. 

9.4 Market Stand-Off. Each Stock Option Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement shall provide that, in connection with any
underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including the Company’s initial public offering, the Participant shall
agree not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option for the repurchase of, or otherwise dispose or transfer for value or otherwise agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to any Stock
without the prior written consent of the Company or its underwriters, for such period of time from and after the effective date of such registration statement as may be requested by the Company or such underwriters (the “Market
Stand-Off”). 
 SECTION 10: AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION 

The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason. At the time of such amendment, the Board shall
determine, upon advice from counsel, whether such amendment will be contingent on stockholder approval. 
 SECTION 11: GENERAL
PROVISIONS 
 11.1 General Restrictions. 

11.1.1 No View to Distribute. The Administrator may require each person acquiring shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan to
represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view towards distribution thereof. The certificates for such shares may include any legend that the Administrator deems appropriate to reflect any
restrictions on transfer. 
 11.1.2 Legends. All certificates for shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall be
subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed
and any applicable federal or state securities laws, and the Administrator may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. 

 11.1.3 No Rights as Stockholder. Except as specifically provided in this Plan, a
Participant or a transferee of a Right shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Rights until the date of the issuance of a Stock certificate to him or her for such shares, and no adjustment shall be made for
dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such Stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 9.1, hereof.

 11.2 Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other
or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. 

11.3 Disqualifying Dispositions. Any Participant who shall make a “disposition” (as defined in Section 424 of
the Code) of all or any portion of an ISO within two years from the date of grant of such ISO or within one year after the issuance of the shares of Stock acquired upon exercise of such ISO shall be required to immediately advise the Company in
writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such shares of Stock. 
 11.4 Regulatory
Matters. Each Stock Option Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement shall provide that no shares shall be purchased or sold thereunder unless and until (i) any then applicable requirements of state or federal laws and regulatory agencies
shall have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel and (ii) if required to do so by the Company, the Optionee or Offeree shall have executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such
form and containing such provisions as the Board or Committee may require. 
 11.5 Recapitalizations. Each Stock
Option Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement shall contain provisions required to reflect the provisions of Section 9. 

11.6 Delivery. Upon exercise of a Right granted under this Plan, the Company shall issue Stock or pay any amounts due within
a reasonable period of time thereafter. Subject to any statutory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of this Plan, thirty days shall be considered a reasonable period of time. 

11.7 Other Provisions. The Stock Option Agreements and Stock Purchase Agreements authorized under the Plan may contain such
other provisions not inconsistent with this Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Rights, as the Administrator may deem advisable. 

SECTION 12: INFORMATION TO PARTICIPANTS 

The extent necessary to comply with Florida law, the Company each year shall furnish to Participants its balance sheet and income
statement unless such Participants are limited to key Employees whose duties with the Company assure them access to equivalent information. 

SECTION 13: STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT 

As a condition to the transfer of Stock pursuant to a Right granted under this Plan, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute
discretion, may require the Participant to execute and become a party to any agreement by and among the Company and any of its stockholders which exists on or after 

 
the Date of Grant (the “Stockholders Agreement”). If the Participant becomes a party to a Stockholders Agreement, in addition to the terms of this Plan and the Stock Option
Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement (whichever is applicable) pursuant to which the Stock is transferred, the terms and conditions of the Stockholders Agreement shall govern Participant’s rights in and to the Stock; and if there is any
conflict between the provisions of the Stockholders Agreement and this Plan or any conflict between the provisions of the Stockholders Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement (whichever is applicable) pursuant to which
the Stock is transferred, the provisions of the Stockholders Agreement shall be controlling. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13, if the Stockholders Agreement contains any provisions which would violate the Florida
Corporations Code if applied to the Participant, the terms of this Plan and the Stock Option Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement (whichever is applicable) pursuant to which the Stock is transferred shall govern the Participant’s rights with
respect to such provisions. 
 SECTION 14: EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN 

The effective date of this Plan is February 12, 2004. The adoption of the Plan is subject to approval by the Company’s
stockholders, which approval must be obtained within 12 months from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. In the event that the stockholders fail to approve the Plan within 12 months after its adoption by the Board, any grants of Options or
sales or awards of shares that have already occurred shall be rescinded, and no additional grants, sales or awards shall be made thereafter under the Plan. 

SECTION 15: TERM OF PLAN 

The Plan shall terminate automatically on February 12, 2014, but no later than the tenth (10th) anniversary of the effective
date. No Right shall be granted pursuant to the Plan after such date, but Rights theretofore granted may extend beyond that date. The Plan may be terminated on any earlier date pursuant to Section 10 hereof. 

SECTION 16: EXECUTION 

To record the adoption of the Amended and Restated 2004 National Coal Corp. Option Plan (Revised June 21, 2010) by the Board and the
Company’s shareholders, the Company has caused its authorized officer to execute the same as of June 21, 2010. 
  

			
	NATIONAL COAL CORP.
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Daniel Roling

		 	Daniel Roling, Chief Executive OfficerEmployment Agreement Rachel P. McKinney

 Exhibit 10.18 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is executed as of this 28 day of August 2007, by and between Rachel McKinney
(“Employee”) and School Specialty, Inc. (the “Company”). 
 RECITALS 

The Company desires to employ Employee, and Employee desires to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 As a result of Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee will have access to and be entrusted with valuable
information about the Company’s business and customers, including trade secrets and confidential information; and 
 The
parties believe it is in their best interests to make provision for certain aspects of their relationship during and after the period in which Employee is employed by the Company. 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements and covenants contained herein, and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by the Company and Employee (“Parties”), the Parties agree as follows: 

ARTICLE I 

EMPLOYMENT 

1.1 Position and Duties. Employee shall be employed in the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer,
for the “Company” and shall be subject to the authority of, and shall report to, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Employee’s duties and responsibilities shall include all those customarily attendant to the position of
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, and such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Employee shall devote Employee’s entire business time,
attention and energies exclusively to the business interests of the Company while employed by the Company except as otherwise specifically approved in writing by or on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer 

1.2 Term of Employment. The Company employs Employee, and Employee accepts employment by the Company, for the period commencing on
the date hereof and ending on August 27, 2010 (“Employment Term”), subject to earlier termination as hereinafter set forth in Article III. Following the expiration of the Employment Term, this Agreement shall be automatically renewed
for successive one year periods (collectively, “Renewal Terms”; individually, “Renewal Term”) unless, at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the Employment Term or the then current Renewal Term, either party provides the
other with a written notice of intention not to renew, in which case this Agreement shall terminate as of the end of the Employment Term or said Renewal Term, as applicable. If this Agreement is renewed, the terms of this Agreement during such
Renewal Term shall be the same as the terms in effect immediately prior to such renewal, subject to any such changes or modifications as mutually may be agreed between the parties as evidenced in a written instrument signed by both the Company and
Employee. 
 ARTICLE II 

COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS 

2.1 Base Salary. The Company shall pay Employee an annual salary of Two Hundred Seventy Five Thousand ($275,000) (“Base
Salary”), payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices and schedule of the Company. 
 2.2 Incentive
Bonus. Employee will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Corporate Plan I Bonus Program (“Program”), effective for Fiscal year 2008 pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Program. Program will have a 50% of annual
earned base salary target with a maximum opportunity of 100%. For Fiscal year 2008 your earned salary will be defined as $275,000 for bonus calculations. The Company reserves the right, and Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company retains
the right, to unilaterally interpret, change, modify, suspend, amend, delete, or cancel the Program or any provision of the Program or the procedures or benefits of the Program at any time in its sole discretion. In order to be paid any amount under
the Program, Employee must be employed by the Company at the time such payment is made. 

 2.3 Perquisites, Benefits and Other Compensation. During the Employment Term and any
Renewal Term, Employee may be entitled to receive perquisites and benefits provided by the Company to its executive employees, subject to the eligibility criteria related to such perquisites and benefits and to such changes, additions, or deletions
to such perquisites and benefits as the Company may make from time to time, as well as such other perquisites or benefits as may be specified from time to time at the sole discretion of the Board and/or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 2.4 Equity Incentive. 
  

	 	(a)	Stock Options. Employee shall be granted an initial award of 20,000 options with opportunity for additional options after each subsequent three (3) years of
service at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Exercise price for initial award will be set at close of business on date of grant. 

  

	 	(b)	Non Vested Stock Units (NSUs) or Restricted Stock. Employee will receive a target number of NSUs of 3,000 shares plus a special one time grant of an additional
1,000 NSU’s for a total initial offer of 4,000 shares. These shares will take the form of a performance award granted upon attainment of performance objectives for each fiscal year. The performance objective will be average earnings per share
over a three fiscal year period, (2008-2010) and the award may be earned in a range of 80% to 200% of target. The EPS average target for the 3 year period has been set at $2.62 by the Compensation Committee. 

 

	 	(c)	Basis of above Award. While it is anticipated that a restricted stock award will be made annually and an option award every three years, the size and valuation
of the awards will be determined by the Compensation Committee. The award is granted at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. 

  

	 	(d)	Stock Options and Non Vested Stock Units (NSU’s). Initial approval of the Compensation Committee will be held on August 29, 2007.

 2.5 Relocation. With the employee’s relocation to the Appleton, WI area all reasonable relocation
expenses will be covered as outlined in the cover letter and Moving Policy enclosed. Also, a one time $5,000 miscellaneous moving allowance will be paid to employee once relocation to Appleton, WI area has occurred. Payment will be made as part of
the Employee’s normal payroll check. 
 ARTICLE III 

TERMINATION 

3.1 Right to Terminate; Automatic Termination. 
  

	 	(a)	Termination Without Cause. Subject to Paragraph 3.2(a), below, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment and all of the
Company’s obligations under this Agreement at any time and for any reason. 

  

 2 

	 	(b)	Termination For Cause. Subject to Paragraph 3.2(b), below, the Company may terminate Employee’s employment and all of the Company’s obligations
under this Agreement at any time for Cause (as defined below) by giving notice to Employee stating the basis for such termination, effective immediately upon giving such notice or at such other time thereafter as the
Company may designate. “Cause” shall mean any of the following: (1) Employee has breached this Agreement or any other agreement to which Employee and the Company are parties or has breached any other obligation or duty owed to
the Company, including, but not limited to, Employee’s breach of or failure or refusal to perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company and Employee’s violation of any Company policy (including the Company’s policy
against unlawful harassment); (2) Employee has committed negligence, misconduct or any violation of law in the performance of Employee’s duties for the Company; (3) Employee has taken any action likely to result in discredit
to or loss of business, reputation or goodwill of the Company; (4) Employee has failed to follow reasonable instructions from the Board, officer, body or other entity or individual to whom Employee reports concerning the operations or
business of the Company; (5) Employee has committed a crime the circumstances of which substantially relate to Employee’s employment duties with the Company; (6) Employee has misappropriated funds or property of the Company
or engaged in any material act of dishonesty; (7) Employee has attempted to obtain a personal profit from any transaction in which the Company has an interest, and which constitutes a corporate opportunity of the Company, or which is adverse
to the interests of the Company, unless the transaction was approved in writing by the Company’s Board after full disclosure of all details relating to such transaction. 

 

	 	(c)	Termination by Death or Disability. Subject to Paragraph 3.2(b), below, Employee’s employment and the Company’s obligations under this
Agreement shall terminate automatically, effective immediately and without any notice being necessary, upon Employee’s death or a determination of Disability of Employee. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means
the inability of Employee, due to a physical or mental impairment, to perform the essential functions of Employee’s job with the Company, with or without a reasonable accommodation. A determination of Disability shall be made by
the Company, which may, at its sole discretion, consult with a physician or physicians satisfactory to the Company, and Employee shall cooperate with any efforts to make such determination. Any such determination shall be conclusive and
binding on the Parties. Any determination of Disability under this Paragraph 3.1(c) is not intended to alter any benefits any party may be entitled to receive under any long-term disability insurance policy carried by either the Company or
Employee with respect to Employee, which benefits shall be governed solely by the terms of any such insurance policy. 

  

	 	(d)	Termination by Resignation. Subject to Paragraph 3.2(b), below, Employee’s employment and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall
terminate automatically, effective immediately upon Employee’s provision of written notice to the Company of Employee’s resignation from employment with the Company or at such other time as may be mutually agreed between the Parties
following the provision of such notice. 

 3.2 Rights Upon Termination. 

 

	 	(a)	Paragraph 3.1(a) Termination. If Employee’s employment is terminated pursuant to Paragraph 3.1(a), above, Employee shall have no further rights
against the Company hereunder, except for the right to receive (1) any unpaid Base Salary with respect to the period prior to the effective date of termination, (2) payment of any accrued paid time off under the Company’s paid time
off policy that is unused through the effective date of termination, (3) a Severance Payment (defined below), the payment of which is contingent upon Employee’s execution of a written severance agreement (in a form satisfactory to the
Company) containing, among other things, a general release of claims against the Company, and (4) reimbursement of expenses to which Employee may be entitled. For purposes of this Agreement, “Severance Payment” means twelve
(12) months of Base Salary, payable following termination in accordance with the normal payroll practices and schedule of the Company. 

  

 3 

	 	(b)	Paragraph 1.2 and Paragraph 3.1(b)-(d) Terminations. If Employee’s employment is terminated pursuant to Paragraph 3.1(b) or (c), above, if
Employee resigns pursuant to Paragraph 3.1(d), above, or if either the Company or Employee fails to renew this Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 1.2, above, Employee or Employee’s estate shall have no further rights against the Company hereunder,
except for the right to receive (1) any unpaid Base Salary with respect to the period prior to the effective date of termination, (2) payment of any accrued paid time off under the Company’s paid time off policy that is
unused through the effective date of termination, and (3) reimbursement of expenses to which Employee may be entitled. 

ARTICLE IV 

CONFIDENTIALITY 

4.1 Confidentiality Obligations. Employee will not, during the term of his/her employment, directly or indirectly use or disclose
any Confidential Information or Trade Secrets except in the interest and for the benefit of the Company. After the end, for whatever reason, of Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee will not directly or indirectly use or disclose any
Trade Secrets. For a period of eighteen (18) months following the end, for whatever reason, of Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee will not directly or indirectly use or disclose any Confidential Information. Employee further
agrees not to use or disclose at any time information received by the Company from others except in accordance with the Company’s contractual or other legal obligations; the Company’s Customers are third party beneficiaries of this
promise. 
 4.2 Definitions. 
  

	 	(a)	Trade Secret. The term “Trade Secret” has that meaning set forth under applicable law. The term includes, but is not limited to, all computer source
code created by or for the Company. 

  

	 	(b)	Confidential Information. The term “Confidential Information” means all non-Trade Secret or proprietary information of the Company which has value to
the Company and which is not known to the public or the Company’s competitors, generally. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to: (i) inventions, product specifications, information about products under development,
research, development or business plans, production know-how and processes, manufacturing techniques, operational methods, equipment design and layout, test results, financial information, customer lists, information about orders and transactions
with customers, sales and marketing strategies, plans and techniques, pricing strategies, information relating to sources of materials and production costs, purchasing and accounting information, personnel information and all business records;
(ii) information which is marked or otherwise designated as confidential or proprietary by the Company; and (iii) information received by the Company from others which the Company has an obligation to treat as confidential.

  

	 	(c)	Exclusions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms “Trade Secret” and “Confidential Information” shall not include, and the obligations set
forth in this Agreement shall not apply to, any information which: (i) can be demonstrated by Employee to have been known by him/her prior to his/her employment by the Company; (ii) is or becomes generally available to the public through
no act or omission of Employee; (iii) is obtained by Employee in good faith from a third party who discloses such information to Employee on a non-confidential basis without violating any obligation of confidentiality or secrecy relating to the
information disclosed; or (iv) is independently developed by Employee outside the scope of his/her employment without use of Confidential Information or Trade Secrets. 

 

 4 

 ARTICLE V 

NON-COMPETITION 

5.1 Restrictions on Competition During Employment. During the term of Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee shall
not directly or indirectly compete against the Company, or directly or indirectly divert or attempt to divert Customers’ business from the Company anywhere the Company does or is taking steps to do business. 

5.2 Post-Employment Non-Solicitation of Restricted Customers. For eighteen (18) months following termination of
Employee’s employment with the Company, for whatever reason, Employee agrees not to directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit any business from any Restricted Customer in any manner which competes with the services or products
offered by the Company in the twelve (12) months preceding termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, or to directly or indirectly divert or attempt to divert any Restricted Customer’s business from the Company.

 5.3 Post-Employment Restricted Services Obligation. For eighteen (18) months following
termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, for whatever reason, Employee agrees not to provide Restricted Services to any Competitor in any geographic area in which the Company sold pre-kindergarten through
12th grade educational products and services during the
twelve (12) month period preceding termination of Employee’s employment. During such eighteen (18) month period, Employee also will not provide any Competitor with any advice or counsel concerning the provision of Restricted Services
anywhere in such geographic area. 
 5.4 Definitions. 

 

	 	(a)	Customer. The term “Customer” means any individual or entity for whom/which the Company has provided services or products or made a proposal to perform
services or provide products. 

  

	 	(b)	Restricted Customer. The term “Restricted Customer” means any individual or entity (i) for whom/which the Company provided services or products
and (ii) with whom/which Employee had contact on behalf of the Company or about whom/which Employee acquired non-public information in connection with his/her employment by the Company during the twenty-four (24) months preceding the end,
for whatever reason, of Employee’s employment with the Company; provided, however, that the term “Restricted Customer” shall not include any individual or entity who/which, through no direct or indirect act or omission of Employee,
has terminated its business relationship with the Company. 

  

	 	(c)	 Restricted Services. The term “Restricted Services” means services of any kind or character comparable to those Employee
provided to the Company during the twelve (12) months preceding the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company relating to pre-kindergarten through
12th grade educational products and services of the type
sold by the Company within any geographic area in which the Company engaged in the sale of such products or services within the last twelve (12) month period preceding termination of Employee’s employment. 

 

	 	(d)	 Competitor. The term “Competitor” means any business which is engaged in the sale of pre-kindergarten through
12th grade educational products and services of the type
sold by the Company within any geographic area in which the Company engaged in the sale of such products or services within the twelve (12) month period preceding termination of Employee’s employment. 

 

 5 

 ARTICLE VI 

BUSINESS IDEA RIGHTS 

6.1 Assignment. The Company will own, and Employee hereby assigns to the Company and agrees to assign to the Company, all rights
in all Business Ideas which Employee originates or develops whether alone or working with others while Employee is employed by the Company. All Business Ideas which are or form the basis for copyrightable works are hereby assigned to the Company
and/or shall be assigned to the Company or shall be considered “works for hire” as that term is defined by United States Copyright Law. 

6.2 Definition of Business Ideas. The term “Business Ideas” means all ideas, designs, modifications, formulations,
specifications, concepts, know-how, trade secrets, discoveries, inventions, data, software, developments and copyrightable works, whether or not patentable or registrable, which Employee originates or develops, either alone or jointly with others
while Employee is employed by the Company and which are (i) related to any business known to Employee to be engaged in or contemplated by the Company; (ii) originated or developed during Employee’s working hours; or
(iii) originated or developed in whole or in part using materials, labor, facilities or equipment furnished by the Company. 

6.3 Disclosure. While employed by the Company, Employee will promptly disclose all Business Ideas to the Company. 

6.4 Execution of Documentation. Employee, at any time during or after the term of his/her employment with the Company, will
promptly execute all documents which the Company may reasonably require to perfect its patent, copyright and other rights to such Business Ideas throughout the world.  

ARTICLE VII 

NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES 

During the term of Employee’s employment with the Company and for eighteen (18) months thereafter, Employee shall not directly
or indirectly encourage any Company employee to terminate his/her employment with the Company or solicit such an individual for employment outside the Company in any manner which would end or diminish that employee’s services to the Company.

 ARTICLE VIII 

EMPLOYEE DISCLOSURES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

8.1 Confidential Information of Others. Employee warrants and represents to the Company that he/she is not subject to any
employment, consulting or services agreement, or any restrictive covenants or agreements of any type, which would conflict or prohibit Employee from fully carrying out his/her duties as described under the terms of this Agreement. Further, Employee
warrants and represents to the Company that he/she has not and will not retain or use, for the benefit of the Company, any confidential information, records, trade secrets, or other property of a former employer. 

8.2 Scope of Restrictions. Employee acknowledges that during the course of his/her employment with the
Company, he/she will gain knowledge of Confidential Information and Trade Secrets of the Company. Employee acknowledges that the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets of the Company are necessarily shared with Employee on a routine basis in the
course of performing his/her job duties and that the Company has a legitimate protectable interest in such Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, and in the goodwill and business prospects associated therewith. Employee acknowledges that the
Company sells pre-kindergarten through 12th grade
educational products and services to all states in the United States. Accordingly, Employee acknowledges that the scope of the restrictions contained in this Agreement are appropriate, necessary and reasonable for the protection of the
Company’s business, goodwill and property rights, and that the restrictions imposed will not prevent him/her from earning a living in the event of, and after, the end, for whatever reason, of his/her employment with the Company. 

 

 6 

 8.3 Prospective Employers. Employee agrees, during the term of any restriction
contained in Articles IV, V, VI, VII and VIII of this Agreement, to disclose this Agreement to any entity which offers employment to Employee. Employee further agrees that the Company may send a copy of this Agreement to, or otherwise make the
provisions hereof known to, any of Employee’s potential employers. 
 8.4 Third Party Beneficiaries. Any Company
affiliates are third party beneficiaries with respect to Employee’s performance of his/her duties under this Agreement and the undertakings and covenants contained in this Agreement and the Company and any of its affiliates, enjoying the
benefits thereof, may enforce this Agreement directly against Employee. The terms Trade Secret and Confidential Information shall include materials and information of the Company’s affiliates to which Employee has access. 

8.5 Survival. The Covenants set forth in Articles IV, V, VI, VII and VIII of this Agreement. 

ARTICLE IX 

RETURN OF RECORDS 

Upon the end, for whatever reason, of his/her employment with the Company, or upon request by the Company at any time, Employee shall
immediately return to the Company all documents, records and materials belonging and/or relating to the Company (except Employee’s own personnel and wage and benefit materials relating solely to Employee), and all copies of all such materials.
Upon the end, for whatever reason, of Employee’s employment with the Company, or upon request of the Company at any time, Employee further agrees to destroy such records maintained by him/her on his/her own computer equipment. 

ARTICLE X 

MISCELLANEOUS 

10.1 Notice. Any and all notices, consents, documents or communications provided for in this Agreement shall be given
in writing and shall be personally delivered, mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), sent by courier (confirmed by receipt), or telefaxed (confirmed by telefax confirmation) and addressed as follows (or to
such other address as the addressed party may have substituted by notice pursuant to this Paragraph 10.1): 
  

			
	To the Company:	  	School Specialty, Inc.
		  	W6316 Design Drive
		  	P.O. Box 1579
		  	Appleton WI 54912-1579
		  	Attention: Mr. David Vander Zanden
		  	Fax: 1-920-882-5863
		
	With a copy to:	  	Joseph F. Franzoi IV, Esq.
		  	Franzoi & Franzoi, S.C.
		  	514 Racine Street
		  	Menasha, WI 54952
		  	Fax: (920) 725-0998
		
	To Employee:	  	Rachel McKinney
		  	172 Peyton Road
		  	York, PA 17403

 Such notice, consent, document or
communication shall be deemed given upon personal delivery or receipt at the address of the party stated above or at any other address specified by such party to the other party in writing, except that if delivery is refused or cannot be made
for any reason, then such notice shall be deemed given on the third day after it is sent. 
  

 7 

 10.2 Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement (including any documents
referred to herein) sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contemplated hereby. Any and all previous agreements and understandings between or among the Parties regarding the subject matter
hereof, whether written or oral, are superseded by this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be amended or modified except by a written instrument duly executed by each of the parties hereto. Any extension or waiver by any party of any provision
hereto shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. 
 10.3 Headings. The
headings of sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of its provisions. 

10.4 Attorneys’ Fees; Expenses. Each party hereto shall bear and pay all of the respective fees, expenses and disbursements
of their agents, representatives, accountants and counsel incurred in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement, and its enforcement; provided, however, that should Employee be determined to have breached the terms of Articles IV, Article
V, Article VI, Article VII or Article VIII above, Employee shall be obligated to pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Company as a result of such breach and the Company’s enforcement of the foregoing Articles.

 10.5 Injunctive Relief. The Parties agree that damages will be an inadequate remedy for breaches of this
Agreement and in addition to damages and any other available relief, a court shall be empowered to grant injunctive relief. 

10.6 Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of the breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by either party. 
 10.7 Severability. If any court of competent
jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall have no effect on the other provisions hereof, which shall remain valid, binding and enforceable and in full
force and effect, and, to the extent allowed by law, such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be construed in a manner so as to give the maximum valid and enforceable effect to the intent of the Parties expressed therein. 

10.8. Consideration. Execution of this Agreement is a condition of Employee’s employment with the Company and Employee’s
employment by the Company constitutes the consideration for Employee’s undertakings hereunder. 
 10.9 Governing
Law. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Wisconsin without regard to its conflict of laws principles. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have cause this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above. 

 

			
	EMPLOYEE:
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Rachel McKinney

		
	Date:	 	 August 6, 2007

	
	SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.:
		
	By:	 	 /s/ David Vander Zanden

		
	Title:	 	 CEO

		
	Date:	 	 August 6, 2007

 

 8

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