Document:

Exhibit 4.4

                       COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

                      2000 STOCK OPTION AND AWARD PLAN

                        (As Adopted April 25, 2000)

         1.       Purpose.
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          The purpose of this Plan is to strengthen Community Health
Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and its Subsidiaries,
by providing an incentive to its employees, officers, consultants and
directors and thereby encouraging them to devote their abilities and
industry to the success of the Company's business enterprise. It is
intended that this purpose be achieved by extending to employees (including
future employees who have received a formal written offer of employment),
officers, consultants and directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries an
added long-term incentive for high levels of performance and unusual
efforts through the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock
Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units and Performance
Shares, Share Awards, Phantom Stock and Restricted Stock (as each term is
herein defined).

         2.       Definitions.
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          For purposes of the Plan:

          2.1 "Affiliate" means any entity, directly or indirectly,
controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company or any
corporation or other entity acquiring, directly or indirectly, all or
substantially all the assets and business of the Company, whether by
operation of law or otherwise.

          2.2 "Agreement" means the written agreement between the Company
and an Optionee or Grantee evidencing the grant of an Option or Award and
setting forth the terms and conditions thereof.

          2.3 "Award" means a grant of Restricted Stock, Phantom Stock, a
Stock Appreciation Right, a Performance Award, a Share Award or any or all
of them.

          2.4 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          2.5 "Cause" means:

               (a) in the case of an Optionee or Grantee whose employment
with the Company or a Subsidiary is subject to the terms of an employment
agreement between such Optionee or Grantee and the Company or Subsidiary,
which employment agreement includes a definition of "Cause", the term
"Cause" as used in this Plan or any Agreement shall have the meaning set
forth in such employment agreement during the period that such employment
agreement remains in effect; and

               (b) in all other cases, (i) intentional failure to perform
reasonably assigned duties, (ii) dishonesty or willful misconduct in the
performance of duties, (iii) involvement in a transaction in connection
with the performance of duties to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
which transaction is adverse to the interests of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and which is engaged in for personal profit or (iv) willful
violation of any law, rule or regulation in connection with the performance
of duties (other than traffic violations or similar offenses); provided,
however, that following a Change in Control clause (i) of this Section
2.5(b) shall not constitute "Cause."

          2.6 "Change in Capitalization" means any increase or reduction in
the number of Shares, or any change (including, but not limited to, in the
case of a spin-off, dividend or other distribution in respect of Shares, a
change in value) in the Shares or exchange of Shares for a different number
or kind of shares or other securities of the Company or another
corporation, by reason of a reclassification, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, reorganization, spin-off, split-up, issuance of warrants or
rights or debentures, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock split,
cash dividend, property dividend, combination or exchange of shares,
repurchase of shares, change in corporate structure or otherwise.

          2.7 A "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the
following:

               (a) An acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of
any voting securities of the Company (the "Voting Securities") by any
"Person" (as the term person is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d)
of the Exchange Act), other than Forstmann Little & Co. Equity Partnership
- V, L.P. and Forstmann Little & Co. Subordinated Debt and Equity
Management Buyout Partnership - VI, L.P. or any of their Affiliates,
immediately after which such Person has "Beneficial Ownership" (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than
fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding Shares or the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding Voting Securities; provided,
however, in determining whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant
to this Section 2.7(a), Shares or Voting Securities which are acquired in a
"Non-Control Acquisition" (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an
acquisition which would cause a Change in Control. A "Non-Control
Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition by (i) an employee benefit plan (or
a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) the Company or (B) any
corporation or other Person of which a majority of its voting power or its
voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Company (for purposes of this definition, a "Related
Entity"), (ii) the Company or any Related Entity, or (iii) any Person in
connection with a "Non-Control Transaction" (as hereinafter defined);

               (b) The individuals who, as of April 25, 2000 are members of
the Board (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority of the members of the Board or, following a Merger which
results in a Parent Corporation, the board of directors of the ultimate
Parent Corporation; provided, however, that if the election, or nomination
for election by the Company's common stockholders, of any new director was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new
director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the
Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual shall be
considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially
assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened "Election
Contest" (as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act)
or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on
behalf of a Person other than the Board (a "Proxy Contest") including by
reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or
Proxy Contest; or

               (c) The consummation of:

                    (i) A merger, consolidation or reorganization with or
into the Company or in which securities of the Company are issued (a
"Merger"), unless such Merger, is a "Non-Control Transaction." A
"Non-Control Transaction" shall mean a Merger where:

                         (A) the stockholders of the Company, immediately
before such Merger own directly or indirectly immediately following such
Merger, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the
outstanding voting securities of (x) the corporation resulting from such
Merger (the "Surviving Corporation"), if fifty percent (50%) or more of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the
Surviving Corporation is not Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly by
another Person (a "Parent Corporation"), or (y) if there are one or more
Parent Corporations, the ultimate Parent Corporation; and

                         (B) the individuals who were members of the
Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement
providing for such Merger, constitute at least a majority of the members of
the board of directors of (x) the Surviving Corporation, if there is no
Parent Corporation, or (y) if there are one or more Parent Corporations,
the ultimate Parent Corporation.

                    (ii) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the
Company; or

                    (iii) The sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person (other than a
transfer to a Related Entity or under conditions that would constitute a
Non-Control Transaction with the disposition of assets being regarded as a
Merger for this purpose or the distribution to the Company's stockholders
of the stock of a Related Entity or any other assets).

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be
deemed to occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired
Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then
outstanding Shares or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of
Shares or Voting Securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of
Shares or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the proportional
number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons, provided that
if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence)
as a result of the acquisition of Shares or Voting Securities by the
Company, and after such share acquisition by the Company, the Subject
Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Shares or Voting
Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding Shares or
Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change
in Control shall occur.

          If an Eligible Individual's employment is terminated by the
Company without Cause prior to the date of a Change in Control but the
Eligible Individual reasonably demonstrates that the termination (A) was at
the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect a change in control or (B) otherwise arose
in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control which has
been threatened or proposed, such termination shall be deemed to have
occurred after a Change in Control for purposes of this Plan provided a
Change in Control shall actually have occurred.

          2.8 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          2.9 "Committee" means a committee, as described in Section 3.1,
appointed by the Board from time to time to administer the Plan and to
perform the functions set forth herein.

          2.10 "Company" means Community Health Systems, Inc.

          2.11 "Director" means a director of the Company.

          2.12 "Disability" means:

               (a) in the case of an Optionee or Grantee whose employment
with the Company or a Subsidiary is subject to the terms of an employment
agreement between such Optionee or Grantee and the Company or Subsidiary,
which employment agreement includes a definition of "Disability", the term
"Disability" as used in this Plan or any Agreement shall have the meaning
set forth in such employment agreement during the period that such
employment agreement remains in effect; or

               (b) the term "Disability" as used in the Company's long-term
disability plan, if any; or

               (c) in all other cases, the term "Disability" as used in
this Plan or any Agreement shall mean a physical or mental infirmity which
impairs the Optionee's or Grantee's ability to perform substantially his or
her duties for a period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days.

          2.13 "Division" means any of the operating units or divisions of
the Company designated as a Division by the Committee.

          2.14 "Dividend Equivalent Right" means a right to receive all or
some portion of the cash dividends that are or would be payable with
respect to Shares.

          2.15 "Eligible Individual" means any of the following individuals
who is designated by the Committee as eligible to receive Options or Awards
subject to the conditions set forth herein: (a) any director, officer or
employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, (b) any individual to whom the
Company or a Subsidiary has extended a formal, written offer of employment,
or (c) any consultant or advisor of the Company or a Subsidiary.

          2.16 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

          2.17 "Fair Market Value" on any date means the closing sales
prices of the Shares on such date on the principal national securities
exchange on which such Shares are listed or admitted to trading, or, if
such Shares are not so listed or admitted to trading, the average of the
per Share closing bid price and per Share closing asked price on such date
as quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation System or such other market in which such prices are regularly
quoted, or, if there have been no published bid or asked quotations with
respect to Shares on such date, the Fair Market Value shall be the value
established by the Board in good faith and, in the case of an Incentive
Stock Option, in accordance with Section 422 of the Code.

          2.18 "Grantee" means a person to whom an Award has been granted
under the Plan.

          2.19 "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option satisfying the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code and designated by the Committee as
an Incentive Stock Option.

          2.20 "Initial Public Offering" means the consummation of the
first public offering of Shares pursuant to a registration statement (other
than a Form S-8 or successor forms) filed with, and declared effective by,
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          2.21 "Nonemployee Director" means a director of the Company who
is a "nonemployee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act.

          2.22 "Nonqualified Stock Option" means an Option which is not an
Incentive Stock Option.

          2.23 "Option" means a Nonqualified Stock Option, an Incentive
Stock Option, or any or all of them.

          2.24 "Optionee" means a person to whom an Option has been granted
under the Plan.

          2.25 "Outside Director" means a director of the Company who is an
"outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.

          2.26 "Parent" means any corporation which is a parent corporation
within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code with respect to the
Company.

          2.27 "Performance Awards" means Performance Units, Performance
Shares or either or both of them.

          2.28 "Performance-Based Compensation" means any Option or Award
that is intended to constitute "performance based compensation" within the
meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder.

          2.29 "Performance Cycle" means the time period specified by the
Committee at the time Performance Awards are granted during which the
performance of the Company, a Subsidiary or a Division will be measured.

          2.30 "Performance Objectives" has the meaning set forth in
Section 8.

          2.31 "Performance Shares" means Shares issued or transferred to
an Eligible Individual under Section 8.

          2.32 "Performance Units" means Performance Units granted to an
Eligible Individual under Section 8.

          2.33 "Phantom Stock" means a right granted to an Eligible
Individual under Section 9 representing a number of hypothetical Shares.

          2.34 "Plan" means Community Health Systems, Inc. 1999 Stock
Option and Award Plan, as amended and restated from time to time.

          2.35 "Pooling Transaction" means an acquisition of the Company in
a transaction which is intended to be treated as a "pooling of interests"
under generally accepted accounting principles.

          2.36 "Restricted Stock" means Shares issued or transferred to an
Eligible Individual pursuant to Section 7.

          2.37 "Share Award" means an Award of Shares granted pursuant to
Section 9.

          2.38 "Shares" means the Class A Common Stock of the Company, par
value $.01 per share, and any other securities into which such shares are
changed or for which such shares are exchanged.

          2.39 "Stock Appreciation Right" means a right to receive all or
some portion of the increase in the value of the Shares as provided in
Section 6 hereof.

          2.40 "Subsidiary" means (i) except as provided in subsection (ii)
below, any corporation which is a subsidiary corporation within the meaning
of Section 424(f) of the Code with respect to the Company, and (ii) in
relation to the eligibility to receive Options or Awards other than
Incentive Stock Options and continued employment for purposes of Options
and Awards (unless the Committee determines otherwise), any entity, whether
or not incorporated, in which the Company directly or indirectly owns 50%
or more of the outstanding equity or other ownership interests.

          2.41 "Successor Corporation" means a corporation, or a Parent or
Subsidiary thereof within the meaning of Section 424(a) of the Code, which
issues or assumes a stock option in a transaction to which Section 424(a)
of the Code applies.

          2.42 "Ten-Percent Stockholder" means an Eligible Individual, who,
at the time an Incentive Stock Option is to be granted to him or her, owns
(within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code) stock possessing more
than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company, or of a Parent or a Subsidiary.

          2.43 "Transition Period" means the period beginning with an
Initial Public Offering and ending as of the earlier of (i) the date of the
first annual meeting of shareholders of the Company at which directors are
to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year
following the calendar year in which the Initial Public Offering occurs, or
(ii) the expiration of the "reliance period" under Treasury Regulation ss.
1.162-27(f)(2).

     3.   Administration.
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          3.1 The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall
hold meetings at such times as may be necessary for the proper
administration of the Plan. The Committee shall keep minutes of its
meetings. If the Committee consists of more than one (1) member, a quorum
shall consist of not fewer than two (2) members of the Committee and a
majority of a quorum may authorize any action. Any decision or
determination reduced to writing and signed by a majority of all of the
members of the Committee shall be as fully effective as if made by a
majority vote at a meeting duly called and held. The Committee shall
consist of at least one (1) Director and may consist of the entire Board;
provided, however, that from and after the date of an Initial Public
Offering, (A) if the Committee consists of less than the entire Board, then
with respect to any Option or Award to an Eligible Individual who is
subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall consist of
at least two (2) Directors each of whom shall be a Nonemployee Director and
(B) to the extent necessary for any Option or Award intended to qualify as
Performance-Based Compensation to so qualify, the Committee shall consist
of at least two (2) Directors, each of whom shall be an Outside Director.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, if one or more members of the
Committee is not a Nonemployee Director and an Outside Director but recuses
himself or herself or abstains from voting with respect to a particular
action taken by the Committee, then the Committee, with respect to that
action, shall be deemed to consist only of the members of the Committee who
have not recused themselves or abstained from voting. Subject to applicable
law, the Committee may delegate its authority under the Plan to any other
person or persons.

          3.2 No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action,
failure to act, determination or interpretation made in good faith with
respect to this Plan or any transaction hereunder. The Company hereby
agrees to indemnify each member of the Committee for all costs and expenses
and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any liability incurred in
connection with defending against, responding to, negotiating for the
settlement of or otherwise dealing with any claim, cause of action or
dispute of any kind arising in connection with any actions in administering
this Plan or in authorizing or denying authorization to any transaction
hereunder.

          3.3 Subject to the express terms and conditions set forth herein,
the Committee shall have the power from time to time to:

               (a) determine those Eligible Individuals to whom Options
shall be granted under the Plan and the number of such Options to be
granted and to prescribe the terms and conditions (which need not be
identical) of each such Option, including the exercise price per Share, the
vesting schedule and the duration of each Option, and make any amendment or
modification to any Option Agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan;

               (b) select those Eligible Individuals to whom Awards shall
be granted under the Plan and to determine the number of Shares in respect
of which each Award is granted, the terms and conditions (which need not be
identical) of each such Award, and make any amendment or modification to
any Award Agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan;

               (c) to construe and interpret the Plan and the Options and
Awards granted hereunder and to establish, amend and revoke rules and
regulations for the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited
to, correcting any defect or supplying any omission, or reconciling any
inconsistency in the Plan or in any Agreement, in the manner and to the
extent it shall deem necessary or advisable, including so that the Plan and
the operation of the Plan complies with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act,
the Code to the extent applicable and other applicable law, and otherwise
to make the Plan fully effective. All decisions and determinations by the
Committee in the exercise of this power shall be final, binding and
conclusive upon the Company, its Subsidiaries, the Optionees and Grantees,
and all other persons having any interest therein;

               (d) to determine the duration and purposes for leaves of
absence which may be granted to an Optionee or Grantee on an individual
basis without constituting a termination of employment or service for
purposes of the Plan;

               (e) to exercise its discretion with respect to the powers
and rights granted to it as set forth in the Plan; and

               (f) generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such
acts as are deemed necessary or advisable to promote the best interests of
the Company with respect to the Plan.

     4.   Stock Subject to the Plan; Grant Limitations.
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          4.1 The maximum number of Shares that may be made the subject of
Options and Awards granted under the Plan is __________.(FN*) The Company
shall reserve for the purposes of the Plan, out of its authorized but
unissued Shares or out of Shares held in the Company's treasury, or partly
out of each, such number of Shares as shall be determined by the Board.

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*    6% of the sum of the number of shares of Class A common stock (i)
     outstanding on a fully diluted basis as of the date the Plan is
     adopted by the Board and (ii) issued after the date hereof as a result
     of the Company's recapitalization and registered public offering (each
     as described in Amendment No. 1 of the Form S-1 filed by the Company
     with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2000); it
     being understood that in connection with the Company's
     recapitalization, the shares of Class A common stock are being
     redesignated as "Common Stock" (whereupon the shares of capital stock
     issuable upon options granted under this Plan or otherwise shall be
     the Common Stock).

          4.2 Upon the granting of an Option or an Award, the number of
Shares available under Section 4.1 for the granting of further Options and
Awards shall be reduced as follows:

               (a) In connection with the granting of an Option or an Award
(other than the granting of a Performance Unit denominated in dollars), the
number of Shares shall be reduced by the number of Shares in respect of
which the Option or Award is granted or denominated; provided, however,
that if any Option is exercised by tendering Shares, either actually or by
attestation, to the Company as full or partial payment of the exercise
price, the maximum number of Shares available under Section 4.1 shall be
increased by the number of Shares so tendered.

               (b) In connection with the granting of a Performance Unit
denominated in dollars, the number of Shares shall be reduced by an amount
equal to the quotient of (i) the dollar amount in which the Performance
Unit is denominated, divided by (ii) the Fair Market Value of a Share on
the date the Performance Unit is granted.

          4.3 Whenever any outstanding Option or Award or portion thereof,
expires, is canceled, is settled in cash (including the settlement of tax
withholding obligations using Shares) or is otherwise terminated for any
reason without having been exercised or payment having been made in respect
of the entire Option or Award, the Shares allocable to the expired,
canceled, settled or otherwise terminated portion of the Option or Award
may again be the subject of Options or Awards granted hereunder.

          4.4 In no event may more than 30,000 Shares be issued upon the
exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan.

     5.   Option Grants for Eligible Individuals.
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          5.1 Authority of Committee. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to select those
Eligible Individuals who will receive Options, and the terms and conditions
of the grant to such Eligible Individuals shall be set forth in an
Agreement. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Eligible
Individuals who are employees of the Company or any Subsidiary.

          5.2 Exercise Price. The purchase price or the manner in which the
exercise price is to be determined for Shares under each Option shall be
determined by the Committee and set forth in the Agreement; provided,
however, that the exercise price per Share under each Incentive Stock
Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on
the date the Option is granted (110% in the case of an Incentive Stock
Option granted to a Ten-Percent Stockholder).

          5.3 Maximum Duration. Options granted hereunder shall be for such
term as the Committee shall determine, provided that an Incentive Stock
Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from
the date it is granted (five (5) years in the case of an Incentive Stock
Option granted to a Ten-Percent Stockholder) and a Nonqualified Stock
Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from
the date it is granted; provided, however, that unless the Committee
provides otherwise, an Option (other than an Incentive Stock Option) may,
upon the death of the Optionee prior to the expiration of the Option, be
exercised for up to one (1) year following the date of the Optionee's death
even if such period extends beyond ten (10) years from the date the Option
is granted. The Committee may, subsequent to the granting of any Option,
extend the term thereof, but in no event shall the term as so extended
exceed the maximum term provided for in the preceding sentence.

          5.4 Vesting. Subject to Section 5.10, each Option shall become
exercisable in such installments (which need not be equal) and at such
times as may be designated by the Committee and set forth in the Agreement.
To the extent not exercised, installments shall accumulate and be
exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time after becoming exercisable,
but not later than the date the Option expires. The Committee may
accelerate the exercisability of any Option or portion thereof at any time.

          5.5 Deferred Delivery of Option Shares. The Committee may, in its
discretion permit Optionees to elect to defer the issuance of Shares upon
the exercise of one or more Nonqualified Stock Options granted pursuant to
the Plan. The terms and conditions of such deferral shall be determined at
the time of the grant of the Option or thereafter and shall be set forth in
the Agreement evidencing the Option.

          5.6 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that
the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of the grant) of
Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan
and "incentive stock options" (within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code) granted under all other plans of the Company or its Subsidiaries (in
either case determined without regard to this Section 5.6) are exercisable
by an Optionee for the first time during any calendar year exceeds
$100,000, such Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified
Stock Options. In applying the limitation in the preceding sentence in the
case of multiple Option grants, Options which were intended to be Incentive
Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options according to
the order in which they were granted such that the most recently granted
Options are first treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.

          5.7 Non-Transferability. No Option shall be transferable by the
Optionee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution
or, in the case of an Option other than an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant
to a domestic relations order (within the meaning of Rule 16a-12
promulgated under the Exchange Act), and an Option shall be exercisable
during the lifetime of such Optionee only by the Optionee or his or her
guardian or legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Committee may set forth in the Agreement evidencing an Option (other than
an Incentive Stock Option) at the time of grant or thereafter, that the
Option may be transferred to members of the Optionee's immediate family, to
trusts solely for the benefit of such immediate family members and to
partnerships in which such family members and/or trusts are the only
partners, and for purposes of this Plan, a transferee of an Option shall be
deemed to be the Optionee. For this purpose, immediate family means the
Optionee's spouse, parents, children, stepchildren and grandchildren and
the spouses of such parents, children, stepchildren and grandchildren. The
terms of an Option shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the
beneficiaries, executors, administrators, heirs and successors of the
Optionee.

          5.8 Method of Exercise. The exercise of an Option shall be made
only by a written notice delivered in person or by mail to the Secretary of
the Company at the Company's principal executive office, specifying the
number of Shares to be exercised and, to the extent applicable, accompanied
by payment therefor and otherwise in accordance with the Agreement pursuant
to which the Option was granted; provided, however, that Options may not be
exercised by an Optionee for twelve months following a hardship
distribution to the Optionee, to the extent such exercise is prohibited
under Treasury Regulation ss. 1.401(k)-1(d)(2)(iv)(B)(4). The exercise
price for any Shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall
be paid in either of the following forms (or any combination thereof): (a)
cash or (b) the transfer, either actually or by attestation, to the Company
of Shares that have been held by the Optionee for at least six (6) months
(or such lesser period as may be permitted by the Committee) prior to the
exercise of the Option, such transfer to be upon such terms and conditions
as determined by the Committee or (c) a combination of cash and the
transfer of Shares; provided, however, that the Committee may determine
that the exercise price shall be paid only in cash. In addition, Options
may be exercised through a registered broker-dealer pursuant to such
cashless exercise procedures which are, from time to time, deemed
acceptable by the Committee. Any Shares transferred to the Company as
payment of the exercise price under an Option shall be valued at their Fair
Market Value on the day of exercise of such Option. If requested by the
Committee, the Optionee shall deliver the Agreement evidencing the Option
to the Secretary of the Company who shall endorse thereon a notation of
such exercise and return such Agreement to the Optionee. No fractional
Shares (or cash in lieu thereof) shall be issued upon exercise of an Option
and the number of Shares that may be purchased upon exercise shall be
rounded to the nearest number of whole Shares.

          5.9 Rights of Optionees. No Optionee shall be deemed for any
purpose to be the owner of any Shares subject to any Option unless and
until (a) the Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms
thereof, (b) the Company shall have issued and delivered Shares to the
Optionee, and (c) the Optionee's name shall have been entered as a
stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Optionee
shall have full voting, dividend and other ownership rights with respect to
such Shares, subject to such terms and conditions as may be set forth in
the applicable Agreement.

          5.10 Effect of Change in Control. In the event an Optionee's
employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated by the
Company without Cause following a Change in Control, or in the case of a
Director who is not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, his
services as a Director of the Company ceases following a Change in Control,
each Option held by the Optionee as of the date of termination of the
Optionee's employment or service shall become immediately and fully
exercisable and shall, notwithstanding any shorter period set forth in the
Agreement evidencing the Option, remain exercisable for a period ending not
before the earlier of (x) the six (6) month anniversary of the termination
of the Optionee's employment or service or (y) the expiration of the stated
term of the Option. In addition, the Agreement evidencing the grant of an
Option may provide for any other treatment of the Option in the event of a
Change in Control.

     6.   Stock Appreciation Rights.
          -------------------------

          The Committee may in its discretion, either alone or in
connection with the grant of an Option, grant Stock Appreciation Rights in
accordance with the Plan, the terms and conditions of which shall be set
forth in an Agreement. If granted in connection with an Option, a Stock
Appreciation Right shall cover the same Shares covered by the Option (or
such lesser number of Shares as the Committee may determine) and shall,
except as provided in this Section 6, be subject to the same terms and
conditions as the related Option.

          6.1 Time of Grant. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted (a)
at any time if unrelated to an Option, or (b) if related to an Option,
either at the time of grant or at any time thereafter during the term of
the Option.

          6.2  Stock Appreciation Right Related to an Option.
               ---------------------------------------------

               (a) Exercise. A Stock Appreciation Right granted in
connection with an Option shall be exercisable at such time or times and
only to the extent that the related Options are exercisable, and will not
be transferable except to the extent the related Option may be
transferable. A Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an
Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable only if the Fair Market Value
of a Share on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price specified in
the related Incentive Stock Option Agreement.

               (b) Amount Payable. Upon the exercise of a Stock
Appreciation Right related to an Option, the Grantee shall be entitled to
receive an amount determined by multiplying (i) the excess of the Fair
Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise of such Stock Appreciation
Right over the per Share exercise price under the related Option, by (ii)
the number of Shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is being
exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may limit in any
manner the amount payable with respect to any Stock Appreciation Right by
including such a limit in the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation
Right at the time it is granted.

               (c) Treatment of Related Options and Stock Appreciation
Rights Upon Exercise. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right
granted in connection with an Option, the Option shall be canceled to the
extent of the number of Shares as to which the Stock Appreciation Right is
exercised, and upon the exercise of an Option granted in connection with a
Stock Appreciation Right, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be canceled to
the extent of the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised or
surrendered.

          6.3 Stock Appreciation Right Unrelated to an Option. The
Committee may grant to Eligible Individuals Stock Appreciation Rights
unrelated to Options. Stock Appreciation Rights unrelated to Options shall
contain such terms and conditions as to exercisability (subject to Section
6.7), vesting and duration as the Committee shall determine, but in no
event shall they have a term of greater than ten (10) years; provided,
however, that the Committee may provide that Stock Appreciation right may,
upon the death of the Grantee, be exercised for up to one (1) year
following the date of the Grantee's death even if such period extends
beyond ten (10) years from the date the Stock Appreciation Right is
granted. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right unrelated to an
Option, the Grantee shall be entitled to receive an amount determined by
multiplying (a) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date
of exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right over the Fair Market Value of
a Share on the date the Stock Appreciation Right was granted, by (b) the
number of Shares as to which the Stock Appreciation Right is being
exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may limit in any
manner the amount payable with respect to any Stock Appreciation Right by
including such a limit in the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation
Right at the time it is granted.

          6.4 Non-Transferability. No Stock Appreciation Right shall be
transferable by the Grantee otherwise than by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order (within
the meaning of Rule 16a-12 promulgated under the Exchange Act), and such
Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable during the lifetime of such
Grantee only by the Grantee or his or her guardian or legal representative.
The terms of such Stock Appreciation Right shall be final, binding and
conclusive upon the beneficiaries, executors, administrators, heirs and
successors of the Grantee.

          6.5 Method of Exercise. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be
exercised by a Grantee only by a written notice delivered in person or by
mail to the Secretary of the Company at the Company's principal executive
office, specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock
Appreciation Right is being exercised. If requested by the Committee, the
Grantee shall deliver the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation Right
being exercised and the Agreement evidencing any related Option to the
Secretary of the Company who shall endorse thereon a notation of such
exercise and return such Agreement to the Grantee.

          6.6 Form of Payment. Payment of the amount determined under
Sections 6.2(b) or 6.3 may be made in the discretion of the Committee
solely in whole Shares in a number determined at their Fair Market Value on
the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right, or solely in cash, or
in a combination of cash and Shares. If the Committee decides to make full
payment in Shares and the amount payable results in a fractional Share,
payment for the fractional Share will be made in cash.

          6.7 Effect of Change in Control. In the event a Grantee's
employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause
following a Change in Control, each Stock Appreciation Right held by the
Grantee shall become immediately and fully exercisable and shall,
notwithstanding any shorter period set forth in the Agreement evidencing
the Stock Appreciation Right, remain exercisable for a period ending not
before the earlier of the six (6) month anniversary of (x) the termination
of the Grantee's employment or (y) the expiration of the stated term of the
Stock Appreciation Right. In addition, the Agreement evidencing the grant
of a Stock Appreciation Right unrelated to an Option may provide for any
other treatment of the Stock Appreciation Rights in the event of a Change
in Control.

     7.   Restricted Stock.
          ----------------

          7.1 Grant. The Committee may grant Awards to Eligible Individuals
of Restricted Stock, which shall be evidenced by an Agreement between the
Company and the Grantee. Each Agreement shall contain such restrictions,
terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its discretion, determine and
(without limiting the generality of the foregoing) such Agreements may
require that an appropriate legend be placed on Share certificates. Awards
of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the terms and provisions set forth
below in this Section 7.

          7.2 Rights of Grantee. Shares of Restricted Stock granted
pursuant to an Award hereunder shall be issued in the name of the Grantee
as soon as reasonably practicable after the Award is granted provided that
the Grantee has executed an Agreement evidencing the Award, the appropriate
blank stock powers and, in the discretion of the Committee, an escrow
agreement and any other documents which the Committee may require as a
condition to the issuance of such Shares. If a Grantee shall fail to
execute the Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Award, or any documents
which the Committee may require within the time period prescribed by the
Committee at the time the Award is granted, the Award shall be null and
void. At the discretion of the Committee, Shares issued in connection with
a Restricted Stock Award shall be deposited together with the stock powers
with an escrow agent (which may be the Company) designated by the
Committee. Unless the Committee determines otherwise and as set forth in
the Agreement, upon delivery of the Shares to the escrow agent, the Grantee
shall have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares,
including the right to vote the Shares and to receive all dividends or
other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares.

          7.3 Non-transferability. Until all restrictions upon the Shares
of Restricted Stock awarded to a Grantee shall have lapsed in the manner
set forth in Section 7.4, such Shares shall not be sold, transferred or
otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated.

     7.4  Lapse of Restrictions.
          ---------------------

               (a) Generally. Restrictions upon Shares of Restricted Stock
awarded hereunder shall lapse at such time or times and on such terms and
conditions as the Committee may determine. The Agreement evidencing the
Award shall set forth any such restrictions.

               (b) Effect of Change in Control. The Committee may determine
at the time of the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock the extent to
which the restrictions upon Shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse upon a
Change in Control. The Agreement evidencing the Award shall set forth any
such provisions.

          7.5 Treatment of Dividends. At the time an Award of Shares of
Restricted Stock is granted, the Committee may, in its discretion,
determine that the payment to the Grantee of dividends, or a specified
portion thereof, declared or paid on such Shares by the Company shall be
(a) deferred until the lapsing of the restrictions imposed upon such Shares
and (b) held by the Company for the account of the Grantee until such time.
In the event that dividends are to be deferred, the Committee shall
determine whether such dividends are to be reinvested in Shares (which
shall be held as additional Shares of Restricted Stock) or held in cash. If
deferred dividends are to be held in cash, there may be credited at the end
of each year (or portion thereof) interest on the amount of the account at
the beginning of the year at a rate per annum as the Committee, in its
discretion, may determine. Payment of deferred dividends in respect of
Shares of Restricted Stock (whether held in cash or as additional Shares of
Restricted Stock), together with interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be
made upon the lapsing of restrictions imposed on the Shares in respect of
which the deferred dividends were paid, and any dividends deferred
(together with any interest accrued thereon) in respect of any Shares of
Restricted Stock shall be forfeited upon the forfeiture of such Shares.

          7.6 Delivery of Shares. Upon the lapse of the restrictions on
Shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate
to be delivered to the Grantee with respect to such Shares, free of all
restrictions hereunder.

     8.   Performance Awards.
          ------------------

          8.1 Performance Units. The Committee, in its discretion, may
grant Awards of Performance Units to Eligible Individuals, the terms and
conditions of which shall be set forth in an Agreement between the Company
and the Grantee. Performance Units may be denominated in Shares or a
specified dollar amount and, contingent upon the attainment of specified
Performance Objectives within the Performance Cycle, represent the right to
receive payment as provided in Section 8.3(c) of (i) in the case of
Share-denominated Performance Units, the Fair Market Value of a Share on
the date the Performance Unit was granted, the date the Performance Unit
became vested or any other date specified by the Committee, (ii) in the
case of dollar-denominated Performance Units, the specified dollar amount
or (iii) a percentage (which may be more than 100%) of the amount described
in clause (i) or (ii) depending on the level of Performance Objective
attainment; provided, however, that, the Committee may at the time a
Performance Unit is granted specify a maximum amount payable in respect of
a vested Performance Unit. Each Agreement shall specify the number of
Performance Units to which it relates, the Performance Objectives which
must be satisfied in order for the Performance Units to vest and the
Performance Cycle within which such Performance Objectives must be
satisfied.

               (a) Vesting and Forfeiture. Subject to Sections 8.3(c) and
8.4, a Grantee shall become vested with respect to the Performance Units to
the extent that the Performance Objectives set forth in the Agreement are
satisfied for the Performance Cycle.

               (b) Payment of Awards. Subject to Section 8.3(c), payment to
Grantees in respect of vested Performance Units shall be made as soon as
practicable after the last day of the Performance Cycle to which such Award
relates unless the Agreement evidencing the Award provides for the deferral
of payment, in which event the terms and conditions of the deferral shall
be set forth in the Agreement. Subject to Section 8.4, such payments may be
made entirely in Shares valued at their Fair Market Value, entirely in
cash, or in such combination of Shares and cash as the Committee in its
discretion shall determine at any time prior to such payment; provided,
however, that if the Committee in its discretion determines to make such
payment entirely or partially in Shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee
must determine the extent to which such payment will be in Shares of
Restricted Stock and the terms of such Restricted Stock at the time the
Award is granted.

          8.2 Performance Shares. The Committee, in its discretion, may
grant Awards of Performance Shares to Eligible Individuals, the terms and
conditions of which shall be set forth in an Agreement between the Company
and the Grantee. Each Agreement may require that an appropriate legend be
placed on Share certificates. Awards of Performance Shares shall be subject
to the following terms and provisions:

               (a) Rights of Grantee. The Committee shall provide at the
time an Award of Performance Shares is made the time or times at which the
actual Shares represented by such Award shall be issued in the name of the
Grantee; provided, however, that no Performance Shares shall be issued
until the Grantee has executed an Agreement evidencing the Award, the
appropriate blank stock powers and, in the discretion of the Committee, an
escrow agreement and any other documents which the Committee may require as
a condition to the issuance of such Performance Shares. If a Grantee shall
fail to execute the Agreement evidencing an Award of Performance Shares,
the appropriate blank stock powers and, in the discretion of the Committee,
an escrow agreement and any other documents which the Committee may require
within the time period prescribed by the Committee at the time the Award is
granted, the Award shall be null and void. At the discretion of the
Committee, Shares issued in connection with an Award of Performance Shares
shall be deposited together with the stock powers with an escrow agent
(which may be the Company) designated by the Committee. Except as
restricted by the terms of the Agreement, upon delivery of the Shares to
the escrow agent, the Grantee shall have, in the discretion of the
Committee, all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares,
including the right to vote the Shares and to receive all dividends or
other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares.

               (b) Non-transferability. Until any restrictions upon the
Performance Shares awarded to a Grantee shall have lapsed in the manner set
forth in Sections 8.2(c) or 8.4, such Performance Shares shall not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or otherwise
hypothecated, nor shall they be delivered to the Grantee. The Committee may
also impose such other restrictions and conditions on the Performance
Shares, if any, as it deems appropriate.

               (c) Lapse of Restrictions. Subject to Sections 8.3(c) and
8.4, restrictions upon Performance Shares awarded hereunder shall lapse and
such Performance Shares shall become vested at such time or times and on
such terms, conditions and satisfaction of Performance Objectives as the
Committee may, in its discretion, determine at the time an Award is
granted.

               (d) Treatment of Dividends. At the time the Award of
Performance Shares is granted, the Committee may, in its discretion,
determine that the payment to the Grantee of dividends, or a specified
portion thereof, declared or paid on Shares represented by such Award which
have been issued by the Company to the Grantee shall be (i) deferred until
the lapsing of the restrictions imposed upon such Performance Shares and
(ii) held by the Company for the account of the Grantee until such time. In
the event that dividends are to be deferred, the Committee shall determine
whether such dividends are to be reinvested in shares of Stock (which shall
be held as additional Performance Shares) or held in cash. If deferred
dividends are to be held in cash, there may be credited at the end of each
year (or portion thereof) interest on the amount of the account at the
beginning of the year at a rate per annum as the Committee, in its
discretion, may determine. Payment of deferred dividends in respect of
Performance Shares (whether held in cash or in additional Performance
Shares), together with interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be made upon
the lapsing of restrictions imposed on the Performance Shares in respect of
which the deferred dividends were paid, and any dividends deferred
(together with any interest accrued thereon) in respect of any Performance
Shares shall be forfeited upon the forfeiture of such Performance Shares.

               (e) Delivery of Shares. Upon the lapse of the restrictions
on Performance Shares awarded hereunder, the Committee shall cause a stock
certificate to be delivered to the Grantee with respect to such Shares,
free of all restrictions hereunder.

          8.3  Performance Objectives
               ----------------------

               (a) Establishment. Performance Objectives for Performance
Awards may be expressed in terms of (i) earnings per Share, (ii) Share
price, (iii) pre-tax profits, (iv) net earnings, (v) return on equity or
assets, (vi) sales, (vii) any combination of the foregoing or (viii) prior
to the end of the Transition Period, such other criteria as the Committee
may determine. Performance Objectives may be in respect of the performance
of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any of its Divisions or any
combination thereof. Performance Objectives may be absolute or relative (to
prior performance of the Company or to the performance of one or more other
entities or external indices) and may be expressed in terms of a
progression within a specified range. The Performance Objectives with
respect to a Performance Cycle shall be established in writing by the
Committee by the earlier of (x) the date on which a quarter of the
Performance Cycle has elapsed or (y) the date which is ninety (90) days
after the commencement of the Performance Cycle, and in any event while the
performance relating to the Performance Objectives remain substantially
uncertain.

               (b) Effect of Certain Events. At the time of the granting of
a Performance Award, or at any time thereafter, in either case to the
extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations
thereunder without adversely affecting the treatment of the Performance
Award as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee may provide for the
manner in which performance will be measured against the Performance
Objectives (or may adjust the Performance Objectives) to reflect the impact
of specified corporate transactions, accounting or tax law changes and
other extraordinary or nonrecurring events.

               (c) Determination of Performance. Prior to the vesting,
payment, settlement or lapsing of any restrictions with respect to any
Performance Award that is intended to constitute Performance-Based
Compensation made to a Grantee who is subject to Section 162(m) of the
Code, the Committee shall certify in writing that the applicable
Performance Objectives have been satisfied to the extent necessary for such
Award to qualify as Performance Based Compensation.

          8.4 Effect of Change in Control. The Agreements evidencing
Performance Shares and Performance Units may provide for the treatment of
such Awards (or portions thereof) in the event of a Change in Control,
including, but not limited to, provisions for the adjustment of applicable
Performance Objectives.

          8.5 Non-transferability. Until the vesting of Performance Units
or the lapsing of any restrictions on Performance Shares, as the case may
be, such Performance Units or Performance Shares shall not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or otherwise
hypothecated.

     9.   Other Share Based Awards.
          ------------------------

          9.1 Share Awards. The Committee may grant a Share Award to any
Eligible Individual on such terms and conditions as the Committee may
determine in its sole discretion. Share Awards may be made as additional
compensation for services rendered by the Eligible Individual or may be in
lieu of cash or other compensation to which the Eligible Individual is
entitled from the Company.

          9.2  Phantom Stock Awards.
               --------------------

               (a) Grant. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant
shares of Phantom Stock to any Eligible Individuals. Such Phantom Stock
shall be subject to the terms and conditions established by the Committee
and set forth in the applicable Agreement.

               (b) Payment of Awards. Upon the vesting of a Phantom Stock
Award, the Grantee shall be entitled to receive a cash payment in respect
of each share of Phantom Stock which shall be equal to the Fair Market
Value of a Share as of the date the Phantom Stock Award was granted, or
such other date as determined by the Committee at the time the Phantom
Stock Award was granted. The Committee may, at the time a Phantom Stock
Award is granted, provide a limitation on the amount payable in respect of
each share of Phantom Stock. In lieu of a cash payment, the Committee may
settle Phantom Stock Awards with Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to
the cash payment to which the Grantee has become entitled.

     10.  Effect of a Termination of Employment.
          -------------------------------------

                  The Agreement evidencing the grant of each Option and
each Award shall set forth the terms and conditions applicable to such
Option or Award upon a termination or change in the status of the
employment of the Optionee or Grantee by the Company, a Subsidiary or a
Division (including a termination or change by reason of the sale of a
Subsidiary or a Division), which shall be as the Committee may, in its
discretion, determine at the time the Option or Award is granted or
thereafter.

     11.  Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.
          -----------------------------------------

               (a) In the event of a Change in Capitalization, the
Committee shall conclusively determine the appropriate adjustments, if any,
to (i) the maximum number and class of Shares or other stock or securities
with respect to which Options or Awards may be granted under the Plan, (ii)
the number and class of Shares or other stock or securities which are
subject to outstanding Options or Awards granted under the Plan and the
exercise price therefor, if applicable, and (iii) the Performance
Objectives.

               (b) Any such adjustment in the Shares or other stock or
securities (i) subject to outstanding Incentive Stock Options (including
any adjustments in the exercise price) shall be made in such manner as not
to constitute a modification as defined by Section 424(h)(3) of the Code
and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Sections 422 and 424 of the
Code, or (ii) subject to outstanding Options or Awards that are intended to
qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be made in such a manner as
not to adversely affect the treatment of the Option or Award as
Performance-Based Compensation.

               (c) If, by reason of a Change in Capitalization, a Grantee
of an Award shall be entitled to, or an Optionee shall be entitled to
exercise an Option with respect to, new, additional or different shares of
stock or securities of the Company or any other corporation, such new,
additional or different shares shall thereupon be subject to all of the
conditions, restrictions and performance criteria which were applicable to
the Shares subject to the Award or Option, as the case may be, prior to
such Change in Capitalization.

     12.  Effect of Certain Transactions.
          ------------------------------

                  Subject to Sections 5.10, 6.7, 7.4(b) and 8.4 or as
otherwise provided in an Agreement, in the event of (a) the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or (b) a merger or consolidation of the Company
(a "Transaction"), the Plan and the Options and Awards issued hereunder
shall continue in effect in accordance with their respective terms, except
that following a Transaction either (i) each outstanding Option or Award
shall be treated as provided for in the agreement entered into in
connection with the Transaction or (ii) if not so provided in such
agreement, each Optionee and Grantee shall be entitled to receive in
respect of each Share subject to any outstanding Options or Awards, as the
case may be, upon exercise of any Option or payment or transfer in respect
of any Award, the same number and kind of stock, securities, cash, property
or other consideration that each holder of a Share was entitled to receive
in the Transaction in respect of a Share; provided, however, that such
stock, securities, cash, property, or other consideration shall remain
subject to all of the conditions, restrictions and performance criteria
which were applicable to the Options and Awards prior to such Transaction.
The treatment of any Option or Award as provided in this Section 12 shall
be conclusively presumed to be appropriate for purposes of Section 11.

     13.  Interpretation.
          --------------

                  Following the required registration of any equity
security of the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:

               (a) The Plan is intended to comply with Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act and the Committee shall interpret and
administer the provisions of the Plan or any Agreement in a manner
consistent therewith. Any provisions inconsistent with such Rule shall be
inoperative and shall not affect the validity of the Plan.

               (b) Unless otherwise expressly stated in the relevant
Agreement, each Option, Stock Appreciation Right and Performance Award
granted under the Plan is intended to be Performance-Based Compensation.
The Committee shall not be entitled to exercise any discretion otherwise
authorized hereunder with respect to such Options or Awards if the ability
to exercise such discretion or the exercise of such discretion itself would
cause the compensation attributable to such Options or Awards to fail to
qualify as Performance-Based Compensation.

               (c) To the extent that any legal requirement of Section 16
of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code as set forth in the Plan
ceases to be required under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section
162(m) of the Code, that Plan provision shall cease to apply.

     14.  Pooling Transactions.
          --------------------

                  Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan or any
Agreement to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control which is
also intended to constitute a Pooling Transaction, the Committee shall take
such actions, if any, as are specifically recommended by an independent
accounting firm retained by the Company to the extent reasonably necessary
in order to assure that the Pooling Transaction will qualify as such,
including but not limited to (a) deferring the vesting, exercise, payment,
settlement or lapsing of restrictions with respect to any Option or Award,
(b) providing that the payment or settlement in respect of any Option or
Award be made in the form of cash, Shares or securities of a successor or
acquirer of the Company, or a combination of the foregoing, and (c)
providing for the extension of the term of any Option or Award to the
extent necessary to accommodate the foregoing, but not beyond the maximum
term permitted for any Option or Award.

     15.  Termination and Amendment of the Plan or Modification of Options
          and Awards.
          ----------------------------------------------------------------

          15.1 Plan Amendment or Termination. The Plan shall terminate on
the day preceding the tenth anniversary of the date of its adoption by the
Board and no Option or Award may be granted thereafter. The Board may
sooner terminate the Plan and the Board may at any time and from time to
time amend, modify or suspend the Plan; provided, however, that:

               (a) no such amendment, modification, suspension or
termination shall impair or adversely alter any Options or Awards
theretofore granted under the Plan, except with the consent of the Optionee
or Grantee, nor shall any amendment, modification, suspension or
termination deprive any Optionee or Grantee of any Shares which he or she
may have acquired through or as a result of the Plan; and

               (b) to the extent necessary under any applicable law,
regulation or exchange requirement no amendment shall be effective unless
approved by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with applicable
law, regulation or exchange requirement.

          15.2 Modification of Options and Awards. No modification of an
Option or Award shall adversely alter or impair any rights or obligations
under the Option or Award without the consent of the Optionee or Grantee,
as the case may be.

     16.  Non-Exclusivity of the Plan.
          ---------------------------

          The adoption of the Plan by the Board shall not be construed as
amending, modifying or rescinding any previously approved incentive
arrangement or as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to
adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable,
including, without limitation, the granting of stock options otherwise than
under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or
only in specific cases.

     17.  Limitation of Liability.
          -----------------------

          As illustrative of the limitations of liability of the Company,
but not intended to be exhaustive thereof, nothing in the Plan shall be
construed to:

               (a) give any person any right to be granted an Option or
Award other than at the sole discretion of the Committee;

               (b) give any person any rights whatsoever with respect to
Shares except as specifically provided in the Plan;

               (c) limit in any way the right of the Company or any
Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any person at any time; or

               (d) be evidence of any agreement or understanding, expressed
or implied, that the Company will employ any person at any particular rate
of compensation or for any particular period of time.

     18.  Regulations and Other Approvals; Governing Law.
          ----------------------------------------------

          18.1 Except as to matters of federal law, the Plan and the rights
of all persons claiming hereunder shall be construed and determined in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to
conflicts of laws principles thereof.

          18.2 The obligation of the Company to sell or deliver Shares with
respect to Options and Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to
all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including all applicable
federal and state securities laws, and the obtaining of all such approvals
by governmental agencies as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the
Committee.

          18.3 The Board may make such changes as may be necessary or
appropriate to comply with the rules and regulations of any government
authority, or to obtain for Eligible Individuals granted Incentive Stock
Options the tax benefits under the applicable provisions of the Code and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

          18.4 Each Option and Award is subject to the requirement that, if
at any time the Committee determines, in its discretion, that the listing,
registration or qualification of Shares issuable pursuant to the Plan is
required by any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or
the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or
desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the grant of an Option
or Award or the issuance of Shares, no Options or Awards shall be granted
or payment made or Shares issued, in whole or in part, unless listing,
registration, qualification, consent or approval has been effected or
obtained free of any conditions as acceptable to the Committee.

          18.5 Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan or any
Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the disposition of Shares
acquired pursuant to the Plan is not covered by a then current registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), and is not otherwise exempt from such registration, such Shares
shall be restricted against transfer to the extent required by the
Securities Act and Rule 144 or other regulations thereunder. The Committee
may require any individual receiving Shares pursuant to an Option or Award
granted under the Plan, as a condition precedent to receipt of such Shares,
to represent and warrant to the Company in writing that the Shares acquired
by such individual are acquired without a view to any distribution thereof
and will not be sold or transferred other than pursuant to an effective
registration thereof under said Act or pursuant to an exemption applicable
under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder. The certificates evidencing any of such Shares shall be
appropriately amended or have an appropriate legend placed thereon to
reflect their status as restricted securities as aforesaid.

     19.  Miscellaneous.
          -------------

          19.1 Multiple Agreements. The terms of each Option or Award may
differ from other Options or Awards granted under the Plan at the same
time, or at some other time. The Committee may also grant more than one
Option or Award to a given Eligible Individual during the term of the Plan,
either in addition to, or in substitution for, one or more Options or
Awards previously granted to that Eligible Individual.

          19.2 Withholding of Taxes.
               --------------------

               (a) At such times as an Optionee or Grantee recognizes
taxable income in connection with the receipt of Shares or cash hereunder
(a "Taxable Event"), the Optionee or Grantee shall pay to the Company an
amount equal to the federal, state and local income taxes and other amounts
as may be required by law to be withheld by the Company in connection with
the Taxable Event (the "Withholding Taxes") prior to the issuance, or
release from escrow, of such Shares or the payment of such cash. The
Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment of cash to an
Optionee or Grantee an amount equal to the Withholding Taxes in
satisfaction of the obligation to pay Withholding Taxes. The Committee may
provide in an Agreement evidencing an Option or Award at the time of grant
or thereafter, that the Optionee or Grantee, in satisfaction of the
obligation to pay Withholding Taxes to the Company, may elect to have
withheld a portion of the Shares issuable to him or her pursuant to the
Option or Award having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the
Withholding Taxes.

               (b) If an Optionee makes a disposition, within the meaning
of Section 424(c) of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder, of
any Share or Shares issued to such Optionee pursuant to the exercise of an
Incentive Stock Option within the two-year period commencing on the day
after the date of the grant or within the one-year period commencing on the
day after the date of transfer of such Share or Shares to the Optionee
pursuant to such exercise, the Optionee shall, within ten (10) days of such
disposition, notify the Company thereof, by delivery of written notice to
the Company at its principal executive office.

          19.3 Effective Date. The effective date of this Plan shall be as
determined by the Board, subject only to the approval by the holders of a
majority of the securities of the Company entitled to vote thereon, in
accordance with the applicable laws within twelve (12) months of the
adoption of the Plan by the Board.

          19.4 Post-Transition Period. Following the Transition Period, any
Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Performance Award granted under the
Plan which is intended to be Performance-Based Compensation, shall be
subject to the approval of the material terms of the Plan by a majority of
the shareholders of the Company in accordance with Section 162(m) of the
Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.<PAGE>

      EX-4.3

             RESOLUTIONS

                                                                     Exhibit 4.3

                                   RESOLUTIONS

     RESOLVED, that 50,000 shares be issued to Daniels & Daniels for legal
services rendered, and be it

     FURTHER RESOLVED, that all of the above referenced shares of the Company's
common stock be registered in a registration statement on Form S-8 to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and be it

     FUTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation be and hereby are,
authorized and directed to take all actions, and execute all instruments and
other documents in the name and on behalf of the Corporation as such officers
shall determine to be necessary or advisable in order to effectuate the
foregoing resolutions and to carry out the purposes thereof.

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