Document:

ex102changeofcontrol-tha

- 1 -   W/3024090  CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT  CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT, effective as of July 1, 2021 (this  “Agreement”), by and between Associated Banc-Corp, a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”), and  John P. Thayer (the “Executive”).   WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), has determined that  it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company and Associated  Bank, National Association, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Bank”), as applicable,  will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence  of a Change of Control (defined below).  In order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused  the Company to enter into this Agreement.  NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:  Section 1. Certain Definitions.    (a) “Affiliated Entity” means any entity controlled by, controlling or under common  control with the Company.  (b) “Annual Base Salary” means the Executive’s annual rate of base salary as in  effect immediately prior to the Effective Date or at any time during the Protection Period, whichever  is higher; provided that such amounts shall be determined without giving effect to any reduction in  base salary that constitutes Good Reason under this Agreement.    (c) “Change of Control” means:  (1) An acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of  Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the  “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3  promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares  of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”), or (B) the  combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote  generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”);  provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 1(c)(1), the following acquisitions shall not  constitute a Change of Control:  (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any  acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)  sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Entity, or (iv) any acquisition by any  entity pursuant to a transaction that complies with Section 1(c)(3)(A), Section 1(c)(3)(B) and  Section 1(c)(3)(C); or  (2) A change in the composition of the Board such that the individuals who,  as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any  reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that, for purposes of this  Section 1(c)(2), any individual who becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the date of  this Agreement whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was  approved by a vote of at least a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board and  who were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso)  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 Exhibit 10.2 

 

  - 2 -  shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; provided,  further, that any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an  actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other  actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the  Board shall not be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or  (3) The consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange  or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or  other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of  assets or securities of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (a “Business  Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or  substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners, respectively, of  the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities  immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more  than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a noncorporate  entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting  securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a noncorporate entity,  equivalent body or committee), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business  Combination (including an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or  substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in  substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business  Combination, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting  Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such Business  Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such entity  resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 35% or  more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a noncorporate  entity, equivalent securities) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the  combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such entity, except to the  extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority  of the members of the board of directors (or, for a noncorporate entity, equivalent body or  committee) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the  Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the  Board, providing for such Business Combination; or  (4) The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete  liquidation or dissolution of the Company.  (d) “Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan” means the Associated  Banc-Corp Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as such plan is amended and/or restated from  time to time.  (e) “Effective Date” means the first date during the Term on which a Change of  Control occurs.  (f) “Interest” means interest at the applicable federal rate provided for under Section  7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 3 -  (g) “Relevant Assumptions” assume that (i) the Executive is the age that the  Executive would have been on second anniversary of the Date of Termination, (ii) the Executive’s  compensation equals the Executive’s compensation (within the meaning of the applicable plan) for  the year in which the Date of Termination occurs or the year in which the Effective Date occurs,  whichever is higher, (iii) the Executive makes the maximum elective deferral possible under each  plan and the law and (iv) the terms of the plans in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control  and the applicable code limits in effect as of such date govern the calculation of the benefit.  (h) “Target Annual Bonus” means the Executive’s target annual bonus for the year  in which the Date of Termination or Effective Date occurs, whichever is higher; provided that such  target annual bonus shall be determined without giving effect to any reduction to the Executive’s  target annual bonus that constitutes Good Reason under this Agreement.    (i) “Term” means the period commencing on July 1, 2021 and ending on December  31, 2023; provided, however, that, commencing on December 31, 2023, and on each anniversary of  such date (such date and each anniversary thereof, the “Renewal Date”), unless previously  terminated, the Term shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such  Renewal Date, unless, at least sixty (60) days prior to the Renewal Date, the Company shall give  notice to the Executive that the Term shall not be so extended.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if  prior to the Effective Date, the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, the Term and this  Agreement shall automatically terminate immediately.  Section 2. Change of Control Protection Period.  The Company and/or the Bank,  as applicable, hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, subject to the terms and  conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the  earlier of (a) second anniversary of the Effective Date and (b) if the Company delivered a notice of  non-renewal to the Executive prior to the Effective Date in accordance with Section 1(i), the last day  of the then-effective Term (such period, the “Protection Period”).  The Protection Period shall  terminate upon the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason.  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 4 -  Section 3. Termination of Employment.    (a) Death or Disability.  Upon the Executive’s death during the Protection Period,  the Executive’s employment shall terminate.  If the Company determines in good faith that the  Disability (as defined below) of the Executive has occurred during the Protection Period (pursuant to  the definition of Disability), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section  12(c) of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment.  In such event, the Executive’s  employment with the Company and/or the Affiliated Entities shall terminate effective on the thirtieth  (30th) day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided  that, within thirty (30) days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time  performance of the Executive’s duties.  “Disability” means the Executive’s inability to engage in any  substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment  that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less  than twelve (12) months, as determined by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and  acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability  not to be unreasonably withheld).  (b) Cause.  The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the  Protection Period with or without Cause.  “Cause” means:  (1) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a charge  of commission of a felony; or  (2) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross  misconduct that is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.  For purposes of this Section 3(b), no act, or failure to act, on the part of the Executive  shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or  without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the  Company or the Affiliated Entities.  Any act, or failure to act, based upon (A) authority given pursuant  to a resolution duly adopted by the Board, or if the Company is not the ultimate parent corporation of the  Affiliated Entities and is not publicly-traded, the board of directors of the ultimate parent of the  Company, (B) the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or a senior officer of the  Company or (C) the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or  omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company or the  Affiliated Entities.  (c) Good Reason.  The Executive’s employment may be terminated during the  Protection Period by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Executive voluntarily without Good  Reason.  “Good Reason” means actions taken by the Company or an Affiliated Entity, or a failure of  the Company or an Affiliated Entity to act, in each case, following a Change of Control, resulting in a  material negative change in the employment relationship.  For these purposes, a “material negative  change in the employment relationship” shall include, without limitation:  (1) (A) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially inconsistent  with the Executive’s positions, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately  prior to the Effective Date, (B) a material change in the Executive’s authority, reporting  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 5 -  responsibilities, titles or offices as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, or any  removal of the Executive from such positions or (C) a material change in the authorities, duties  or responsibilities of the individual to whom the Executive reports as in effect immediately prior  to the Effective Date;  (2) A material reduction by the Company of the Executive’s Annual Base  Salary;  (3) (A) a material reduction in the Executive’s level of participation in or  bonus opportunity under any annual bonus plan available to the Executive immediately prior to  the Effective Date, or, if higher, at any time during the Protection Period or (B) a failure by the  Company to continue any bonus plan in which the Executive was entitled to participate  immediately prior to the Effective Date (or establish and maintain a substantially similar  successor plan)  that materially affects the Executive’s total compensation from the Company;  (4) (A) a material reduction in the Executive’s level of participation in or  incentive opportunity under any equity compensation plan available to the Executive  immediately prior to the Effective Date, or, if higher, or at any time during the Protection Period;  or (B) the failure by the Company to continue in effect any equity compensation plan in which  the Executive participated immediately prior to the Effective Date (or establish and maintain a  substantially similar successor plan) that materially affects the Executive’s total compensation  from the Company;  (5) the transfer of the Executive to a location that would increase the  Executive’s present commute by more than fifty (50) miles, except for required travel on  Company business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive’s business travel  obligations prior to the Effective Date;  (6) (A) the failure by the Company to continue in effect any welfare benefit or  retirement plan in which the Executive participated in or was provided coverage under as of  immediately prior to the Effective Date, (B) the taking of any action by the Company which  would have an adverse effect on the Executive’s participation in or reduce the benefits under any  of such plans or deprive the Executive of any fringe benefit enjoyed by the Executive  immediately prior to the Effective Date, or (C) the failure by the Company to provide the  Executive with the number of paid vacation days to which the Executive was entitled as of  immediately prior to the Effective Date; provided that, any such change materially affects the  total benefits the Executive is eligible to receive from the Company; or  (7) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the  Company or an Affiliated Entity of this Agreement, including any failure by the Company to  obtain the assumption of this Agreement and performance of this Agreement by any successor as  contemplated in Section 11(c).   To invoke a termination for Good Reason, the Executive shall provide written notice to  the Company of the existence of one or more of the conditions described in clauses (1) through (7)  within 90 days following the Executive’s knowledge of the initial existence of such condition or  conditions, specifying in reasonable detail the conditions constituting Good Reason, and the Company  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 6 -  or the Affiliated Entity shall have thirty (30) days following receipt of such written notice (the “Cure  Period”) during which it may remedy the condition.  If the Company or the Affiliated Entity fails to  remedy the condition constituting Good Reason during the applicable Cure Period, the Executive’s  “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) must occur, if at all, no  later than two years following the initial existence of such condition.  The Executive’s mental or  physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event described above in clauses (1) through (7) shall  not affect the Executive’s ability to terminate employment for Good Reason and the Executive’s death  following delivery of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason shall not affect the Executive’s estate’s  entitlement to severance payments benefits provided hereunder upon a termination of employment for  Good Reason.  (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination of employment by the Company for  Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the  other party hereto delivered in accordance with Section 12(c).  “Notice of Termination” means a  written notice that (1) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (2)  to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide  a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (3) if the  Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the  Date of Termination.  The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of  Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall  not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the  Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the  Executive’s or the Company’s respective rights hereunder.  (e) Date of Termination.  “Date of Termination” means (1) if the Executive’s  employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date  of receipt of the Notice of Termination or such later date specified in the Notice of Termination, as  the case may be, which Date of Termination shall be not more than thirty (30) days after the later of  the delivery of the Notice of Termination, and, in the case of a resignation by the Executive for Good  Reason, shall not be earlier than the expiration of the Cure Period, unless the Company has notified  the Executive that it is not going to cure, (2) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the  Company other than for Cause or by reason of death or Disability, the date on which the Company  notifies the Executive of such termination, (3) if the Executive resigns without Good Reason, the date  on which the Executive notifies the Company of such termination or such later date specified in the  Notice of Termination, and (4) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or  Disability, the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.    Section 4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.    (a) By the Executive for Good Reason; by the Company Other than for Cause,  Death or Disability.  If, during the Protection Period, the Company terminates the Executive’s  employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or the Executive terminates employment for  Good Reason:  (1) the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump sum, in cash, as soon as  reasonably practicable following the Date of Termination, but in no event later than the twentieth  (20th) day following the Date of Termination, the aggregate of the following amounts:  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 7 -  (A) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Executive’s annual rate of  base salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid; (ii) the  Executive’s business expenses that are reimbursable pursuant to the Company’s policies  but have not been reimbursed as of the Date of Termination; (iii) the Executive’s annual  incentive award for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the  Date of Termination occurs, if such award has been determined but not paid as of the  Date of Termination; and (iv) any accrued vacation pay to the extent not theretofore paid  (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, the “Accrued  Obligations”); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive has made  an irrevocable election under any deferred compensation arrangement subject to Section  409A of the Code to defer any portion of the annual base salary or annual incentive  award described in clause (i) or (iii) above, then for all purposes of this Section 4  (including Section 4(b) and Section 4(c)), such deferral election, and the terms of the  applicable arrangement shall apply to the same portion of the amount described in such  clause (i) or (iii), and such portion shall not be considered as part of the Accrued  Obligations; but shall instead be an Other Benefit (as defined in Section 5 below);   (B) an amount equal to the product of (i) two and (ii) the sum of the  Annual Base Salary and the Target Annual Bonus;   (C) an amount equal to the product of (i) the Target Annual Bonus, and  (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year  through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365 (the “Pro Rata  Bonus”); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive has made an  irrevocable election under any deferred compensation arrangement subject to Section  409A of the Code to defer any portion of the Executive’s annual bonus for the fiscal year  of the Date of Termination, then for all purposes of this Section 4 (including Section 4(b)  and Section 4(c)), such deferral election, and the terms of the applicable arrangement  shall apply to the same portion of the Pro Rata Bonus and such portion shall be  considered an Other Benefit;   (D) an amount equal to the product of (i) the monthly premium as in  effect on the Date of Termination for coverage under the Company’s or an Affiliated  Entity’s medical and dental plans for purposes of continuation coverage under Section  4980B of the Code and the monthly employer and employee premiums paid in respect of  the Executive’s Company provided life insurance benefit immediately prior to the Date of  Termination, in each case, with respect to the maximum level of coverage in effect for  the Executive and his or her spouse and dependents as of immediately prior to the Date of  Termination, and (ii) twenty-four (24), which payment shall be in addition to the right to  continue or convert coverage under the Company’s medical, dental and life insurance  plans in which the Executive participated immediately prior to the Date of Termination;   (E) an amount equal to the maximum employer contributions under the  Company 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan and the Company Supplemental  Executive Retirement Plan, in each case, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective  Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time during the Protection  Period or under any successor tax-qualified and excess or supplemental defined  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 8 -  contribution plans sponsored by the Company or an Affiliated Entity in which the  Executive participates as of immediately prior to the Date of Termination, that the  Executive would receive (excluding any potential earnings or interest credits for periods  after the Executive’s Date of Termination) if the Executive’s employment continued for    twenty-four (24) months following the Date of Termination, with such amount to be  calculated based on the Relevant Assumptions to the extent applicable; and an amount  equal to the maximum benefit the Executive would have accrued under the Company  Retirement Account Plan and the Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, in  each case, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the  Executive, as in effect at any time during the Protection Period or under any successor  tax-qualified and excess or supplemental defined benefit or cash balance plans sponsored  by the Company or an Affiliated Entity in which the Executive participates as of  immediately prior to the Date of Termination, that the Executive would receive  (excluding any potential earnings or interest credits for periods after the Executive’s Date  of Termination) if the Executive’s employment continued for twenty-four (24) months  following the Date of Termination, with such amount to be calculated based on the  Relevant Assumptions to the extent applicable;  (2) outplacement services at an executive level and commensurate with the  Executive’s position and duties as of immediately prior to the Effective Date to be provided by  an outplacement provider selected by mutual agreement between the Executive and the Company  prior to the Effective Date; provided that such outplacement benefits shall end not later than the  last day of the second calendar year that begins after the Date of Termination;  (3) any outstanding and unvested equity compensation awards held by the  Executive shall vest in accordance with the terms of the applicable equity plan and award  agreements governing such awards; and  (4) except as otherwise set forth in the first sentence of Section 6, to the extent  not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any  Other Benefits in accordance with the terms of the underlying plans or agreements.    (b) Death.  If the Executive dies following the occurrence of an event that gives rise  to payments under Section 4(a), any remaining or unpaid benefits shall be paid in accordance with the  terms of this Agreement to the Executive’s devisee, legatee or other designate, or, if there is no such  designee, to the Executive’s estate.  If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the  Executive’s death during the Protection Period, the Company shall timely pay or provide the  Executive’s estate or beneficiaries with the Accrued Obligations, the Pro Rata Bonus and the Other  Benefits, at the time or times specified in Section 4(a)(1) and subject to the proviso set forth in  Section 4(a)(1)(A) to the extent applicable, and shall have no other severance obligations under this  Agreement.  With respect to the provision of the Other Benefits, the term “Other Benefits” as  utilized in this Section 4(b) shall include, without limitation, and the Executive’s estate and/or  beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits  provided by the Company and the Affiliated Entities to the estates and beneficiaries of peer  executives of the Company and the Affiliated Entities under such plans, programs, practices and  policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their  beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 9 -  more favorable to the Executive’s estate and/or the Executive’s beneficiaries, as in effect on the date  of the Executive’s death with respect to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated  Entities and their beneficiaries.  (c) Disability.  If the Executive incurs a Disability following the occurrence of an  event that gives rise to payments under Section 4(a), any remaining or unpaid benefits shall be paid in  accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive.  If the Executive’s employment is  terminated by reason of the Executive’s Disability during the Protection Period, the Company shall  timely pay or provide the Executive with the Accrued Obligations, the Pro Rata Bonus and the Other  Benefits, at the time or times specified in Section 4(a)(1) and subject to the proviso set forth in  Section 4(a)(1)(A) to the extent applicable, and shall have no other severance obligations under this  Agreement.  With respect to the provision of the Other Benefits, the term “Other Benefits” as  utilized in this Section 4(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability  Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those  generally provided by the Company and the Affiliated Entities to disabled executives and/or their  families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any,  as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time during the  120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive  and/or the Executive’s family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer  executives of the Company and the Affiliated Entities and their families.  (d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason.  If, during the Protection Period, the  Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause or the Executive voluntarily terminates  employment, excluding a termination for Good Reason, the Company shall timely pay or provide to  the Executive the Accrued Obligations and the Other Benefits, at the time or times specified in  Section 4(a)(1) to the extent applicable, and shall have no other severance obligations under this  Agreement.    Section 5. Non-Exclusivity of Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or  limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided  by the Company or the Affiliated Entities and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to  Section 12(g), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have  under any other contract or agreement with the Company or the Affiliated Entities.  Amounts that are  vested benefits or that the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or  program of or any other contract or agreement with the Company or the Affiliated Entities at or  subsequent to the Date of Termination (“Other Benefits”) shall be payable in accordance with such  plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement, except as explicitly modified by this  Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive’s resignation under this  Agreement with or without Good Reason, shall in no way affect the Executive’s ability to terminate  employment by reason of the Executive’s “retirement” under, or to be eligible to receive benefits under,  any compensation and benefits plans, programs or arrangements of the Company or the Affiliated  Entities, including, without limitation, any retirement or pension plans or arrangements or substitute  plans adopted by the Company, the Affiliated Entities or their respective successors, and any termination  which otherwise qualifies as Good Reason under this Agreement shall be treated as such under this  Agreement, even if it is also a “retirement” for purposes of any other plan or arrangement.    DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 10 -  Section 6. No Duplication of Benefits; No Mitigation.  Notwithstanding the  foregoing, if the Executive receives payments and benefits pursuant to Section 4(a), the Executive shall  not be entitled to any severance pay or benefits under any severance plan, program or policy of the  Company and the Affiliated Entities, unless otherwise specifically provided therein in a specific  reference to this Agreement.  In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or  take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the  provisions of this Agreement, and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive  obtains other employment.     Section 7. Full Settlement; Legal Fees.  The Company’s obligation to make the  payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be  affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or other claim, right or action that the  Company or an Affiliated Entity may have against the Executive or others.  The Company agrees to pay  as incurred (within ten (10) days following the Company’s receipt of an invoice from the Executive), at  any time from the Change of Control through the Executive’s remaining lifetime (or, if longer, through  the twentieth (20th) anniversary of the Change of Control) to the full extent permitted by law, all legal  fees and expenses that the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest by the Company, an  Affiliated Entity, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any  provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any  contest by the Executive seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement).   Section 8. Certain Reductions in Payments.    (a) Anything in the Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Accounting  Firm (as defined below) shall determine that receipt of all Payments (as defined below) would subject  the Executive to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the Accounting Firm shall determine  whether to reduce any of the Payments paid or payable pursuant to the Agreement (the “Agreement  Payments”) so that the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals  the Safe Harbor Amount (as defined below).  The Agreement Payments shall be so reduced only if  the Accounting Firm determines that the Executive would have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt (as  defined below) of aggregate Payments if the Agreement Payments were so reduced.  If the  Accounting Firm determines that the Executive would not have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt of  aggregate Payments if the Agreement Payments were so reduced, the Executive shall receive all  Agreement Payments to which the Executive is entitled hereunder.  For purposes of all present-value  determinations required to be made under this Section 8, the Company and the Executive elect to use  the applicable federal rate that is in effect on the Effective Date pursuant to Treasury Regulations § 1- 280G, Q&A-32.   (b) If the Accounting Firm determines that aggregate Agreement Payments should be  reduced so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor  Amount, the Company shall promptly give the Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the  detailed calculation thereof.  All determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 8  shall be binding upon the Company, the Affiliated Entities and the Executive and shall be made as  soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than 15 days following the Date of Termination.   For purposes of reducing the Agreement Payments so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the  aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, only amounts payable under the Agreement (and no other  Payments) shall be reduced.  The reduction of the amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 11 -  made by reducing the Agreement Payments that are parachute payments in the following order:  (1)  outplacement benefits under Section 4(a)(2), (2) any other non-cash and non-equity benefits payable  to the Executive, and (3) any cash payments payable under Section 4(a)(1), beginning, in each case,  with the payments or benefits that are to be paid or provided the farthest in time from the Date of  Termination.  All reasonable fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the  Company.  (c) As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the  time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that amounts will  have been paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive pursuant to this  Agreement that should not have been so paid or distributed (each, an “Overpayment”) or that  additional amounts that will have not been paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of  the Executive pursuant to this Agreement could have been so paid or distributed (each, an  “Underpayment”).  In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency  by the Internal Revenue Service against the Company or the Executive that the Accounting Firm  believes has a high probability of success determines that an Overpayment has been made, any such  Overpayment paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive shall be repaid  by the Executive to the Company (as applicable) together with Interest; provided, however, that no  such repayment shall be required if and to the extent such deemed repayment would not either reduce  the amount on which the Executive is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of the Code or  generate a refund of such taxes.  In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon controlling  precedent or substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such  Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive together  with Interest.  (d) To the extent requested by the Executive, the Company and the Affiliated Entities  shall cooperate with the Executive in good faith in valuing, and the Accounting Firm shall take into  account the value of, services provided or to be provided by the Executive (including, without  limitation, the Executive’s agreeing to refrain from performing services pursuant to a covenant not to  compete or similar covenant, before, on or after the date of a change in ownership or control of the  Company (within the meaning of Q&A-2(b) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the  Code)), such that payments in respect of such services may be considered reasonable compensation  within the meaning of Q&A-9 and Q&A-40 to Q&A-44 of the final regulations under Section 280G  of the Code and/or exempt from the definition of the term “parachute payment” within the meaning  of Q&A-2(a) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code in accordance with Q&A-5(a)  of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code.  (e) The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this  Section 8:  (1) “Accounting Firm” shall mean a nationally recognized certified public  accounting firm or other professional organization that is a certified public accounting firm  recognized as an expert in determinations and calculations for purposes of Section 280G of the  Code that is selected by the Company prior to a Change of Control for purposes of making the  applicable determinations hereunder and is reasonably acceptable to the Executive, which firm  shall not, without the Executive’s consent, be a firm serving as accountant or auditor for the  individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control.   DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 12 -  (2) “Net After-Tax Receipt” shall mean the present value (as determined in  accordance with Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of a Payment  net of all taxes imposed on the Executive with respect thereto under Section 1 and Section 4999  of the Code and under applicable state and local laws, determined by applying the highest  marginal rate under Section 1 of the Code and under state and local laws which applied to the  Executive’s taxable income for the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate(s) as  the Accounting Firm determines to be likely to apply to the Executive in the relevant tax year(s).  (3) “Parachute Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the  date of the Change of Control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of the portion of such  Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as  determined by the Accounting Firm for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the  excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code will apply to such Payment.  (4) “Payment” shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of  compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of the  Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to the Agreement or otherwise.  (5) “Safe Harbor Amount” shall mean 2.99 times the Executive’s “base  amount,” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.  (f) The provisions of this Section 8 shall survive the expiration of the Agreement.  Section 9. Restrictive Covenants.    (a) Applicable Covenants.  Immediately prior to a Change of Control, any trade  secret, confidentiality, nondisparagement, noncompetition, nonsolicitation, noninterference or similar  covenant contained in any agreement between the Executive and any Affiliated Entity or otherwise  applicable to the Executive will terminate and have no further force and effect.  On and following the  Effective Date, the Executive will solely be subject to the restrictive covenants set forth in this  Section 9.  (b) Trade Secrets.  The parties hereto acknowledge that the Company has taken and  will continue to take actions to protect that information which qualifies as a trade secret under  applicable law (a “Trade Secret”).  Accordingly, the Executive agrees that on and following the  Effective Date, and thereafter for so long as such information remains a Trade Secret, the Executive  shall not, directly or indirectly, use or disclose any Trade Secret of the Company or any Affiliated  Entity.  With respect to the disclosure of a Trade Secret and in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 1833, the  Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for  the disclosure of a Trade Secret that (1) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government  official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, provided that, the information is disclosed  solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (2) is made in a  complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding filed under seal so that it is not  disclosed to the public.  The Executive is further notified that if the Executive files a lawsuit for  retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Executive may disclose the  Company’s Trade Secrets to the Executive’s attorney and use the Trade Secret information in the  court proceeding, provided that, the Executive files any document containing the Trade Secret under  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 13 -  seal so that it is not disclosed to the public, and does not disclose the Trade Secret, except pursuant to  court order.  (c) Confidentiality.  The parties hereto acknowledge that the Company has created  and maintains at great expense strategic plans, sales data and sales strategy, methods, products,  procedures, processes, techniques, financial information, customer and supplier lists, personal  customer data, pricing policies, personnel data and other similar confidential and proprietary  information, and has received from its customers certain non-Trade Secret confidential and  proprietary information (collectively, the “Confidential Information”).  The parties hereto further  acknowledge that the Company has taken and will continue to take actions to protect the Confidential  Information.  Accordingly, the Executive agrees that on and following the Effective Date, and until  the sooner of (1) such time as the Confidential Information becomes generally available to the public  through no fault of the Executive, (2) such time as the Confidential Information no longer provides a  benefit to the Company, or (3) two (2) years after the termination of the Executive’s employment  with the Company, the Executive will not, in any capacity, use or disclose, or cause to be used or  disclosed, any Confidential Information the Executive acquired while employed by the Company.   The requirements of confidentiality and the limitations on use and disclosure described in this  Agreement shall not apply to Confidential Information that the Executive can demonstrate by clear  and convincing evidence, at the time of disclosure by the Company to the Executive, was known to  the Executive as evidenced by the Executive’s contemporaneous written records.  Nothing in this  Section 9 is intended to, and shall not be interpreted in a manner that does, limit or restrict the  Executive from exercising any legally protected whistleblower rights (including pursuant to Rule 21F  promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).   (d) Non-Interference with Customers.  For a period of six (6) months following the  Date of Termination, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, on behalf of him/herself or any  other person, entity or enterprise, do any of the following:  (1) solicit or accept business from any person or entity who is an Active  Customer (defined below) of the Company, a subsidiary, or any of their affiliates, with whom the  Executive has had business contact during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Date of  Termination (the “Reference Period”) for the purpose of providing competitive products or  services similar to those provided by the Executive during the Reference Period; or  (2) request or advise any of the Active Customers (as defined below),  suppliers or other business contacts of the Company who have business relationships with the  Company and with whom the Executive had business contact during his or her employment with  the Company to withdraw, curtail or cancel any of their business relations with the Company.   (e) Non-Interference with Employees.  For a period of six (6) months following the  Date of Termination, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, on behalf of him/herself or any  other person, entity or enterprise, do any of the following:  (1) directly or indirectly solicit any Restricted Person (as defined below) to  provide services to any person or entity in a manner reasonably likely to pose a competitive  threat to the Company; or  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 14 -  (2) directly or indirectly solicit any Restricted Person to provide services to  any person or entity in a manner reasonably likely to have a material negative effect on the  Company’s business.  (f) Non-Disparagement.  (1) On and following the Date of Termination, the Executive agrees to refrain  from making any negative, disparaging, denigrating or derogatory remarks, comments or  statements, either orally or in writing, and whether true or not, about the Company, its  predecessors and successors, and their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents, to  anyone, including, but not limited to, the Company’s current and former customers, employees,  suppliers, vendors, and referral sources.  The Executive represents and promises in this regard  that he or she shall not communicate, either directly or indirectly, with any media any negative,  disparaging, denigrating or derogatory remarks regarding any aspect of the Company’s business  or regarding any nonpublic information about the Company or its directors, officers,  shareholders, employees or agents.  Negative, disparaging, denigrating or derogatory remarks as  used in this Section 9(f)(1) shall include, but not be limited to, any statements that may  reasonably be considered to be detrimental to the Company, to its business operations or  reputation, or to the business, professional or personal reputations of the Company’s directors,  officers, shareholders, employees or agents.    (2) On and following the Date of Termination, the Company agrees to refrain  from making any negative, disparaging, denigrating or derogatory remarks, comments or  statements, either orally or in writing, and whether true or not, about the Executive.  The  Company represents and promises that in this regard the Company shall not communicate, either  directly or indirectly, with any media any negative, disparaging, denigrating or derogatory  remarks regarding the Executive.  Negative, disparaging, denigrating or derogatory remarks as  used in this Section 9(f)(2) include, but are not limited, to any statements that may be reasonably  be considered to be detrimental to the Executive or the Executive’s business, professional or  personal reputation.   (g) Remedies.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the  Company or the Executive breaches any provision of this Section 9, the Executive or the Company,  as applicable, shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief (without the necessity of  showing actual monetary damages or of posting any bond or other security):  (1) restraining and  enjoining any act which would constitute a breach, or (2) compelling the performance of any  obligation which, if not performed, would constitute a breach, as well as any other remedies available  to such party, including monetary damages.  If any court of competent jurisdiction shall deem any  provision in this Section 9 too restrictive, the other provisions shall stand, and the court shall modify  the unduly restrictive provision to the point of greatest restriction permissible by law.  The restrictive  covenants set forth in this Section 9 shall survive the termination of the Executive’s employment for  any reason during the Protection Period, and the Executive and the Company shall continue to be  bound by the terms of this Section 9 as if this Agreement was still in effect.  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 15 -  (h) Relevant Definitions.  For purposes of this Section 9:  (1) “Active Customer” shall mean any customer or prospective customer of  the Company which, within the Reference Period, either received any products or services  supplied by or on behalf of the Company or was the recipient of at least two (2) business contacts  by any personnel of the Company (including the Executive).  (2) “Restricted Person” shall mean any employee of the Company employee  (1) has been entrusted with the Company’s Confidential Information or Trade Secrets in  connection with his/her employment with the Company and (2) with whom the Executive  directly worked at any point during the Reference Period.  Section 10. Indemnification.  The Company shall indemnify the Executive and hold  the Executive harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law and under the charter and by-laws of the  Company (including the advancement of expenses) against, and with respect to, any and all actions,  suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees),  losses and damages resulting from the Executive’s good faith performance of his duties and obligations  with the Company and the Affiliated Entities.  Section 11. Successors.    (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive, and, without the prior written  consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by the Executive other than by will or the laws of  descent and distribution.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the  Executive’s legal representatives.  (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company  and the Affiliated Entities and their respective successors and assigns.  Except as provided in Section  11(c), without the prior written consent of the Executive, this Agreement shall not be assignable by  the Company.  (c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase,  merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the  Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the  same extent that the Company and the Affiliated Entities would be required to perform it if no such  succession had taken place.  “Company” means the Company as hereinbefore defined and any  successor to its businesses and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this  Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.  Section 12. Miscellaneous.    (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws  of the State of Wisconsin, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.  The captions and  headings of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.   For purposes of this Agreement, the term “including” shall mean “including, without limitation.”  (b) This Agreement may not be amended or modified other than by a written  agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.   DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 16 -  (c) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be  given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid, addressed as follows:  if to the Executive:  the most recent address on file at the Company; and  if to the Company:  Associated Banc-Corp  Attention:  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary  433 Main Street  Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301  or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance  herewith.  Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.  (d) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not  affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.  (e) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement  such United States federal, state or local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant  to any applicable law or regulation.  (f) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with  any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may  have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for  Good Reason pursuant to Section 3(c), shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right  or any other provision or right of this Agreement.  (g) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be  provided under any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the  employment of the Executive by the Company and/or an Affiliated Entity is “at will” and the  Executive’s employment may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company (with effect at  the applicable Affiliated Entity) at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case the Executive  shall have no further rights under this Agreement.    (h) From and after the Effective Date, except as otherwise provided herein, this  Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter  hereof in effect immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement.  Section 13. Section 409A of the Code.   (a) General.  The obligations under this Agreement are intended to comply with the  requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption or exclusion therefrom and shall, in all  respects, be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.  Any payments that qualify for  the “short-term deferral” exception, the separation pay exception or another exception under Section  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 17 -  409A of the Code shall be paid under the applicable exception to the maximum extent permissible.  For  purposes of the limitations on nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code,  each payment of compensation under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment of  compensation for purposes of applying the exclusion under Section 409A of the Code for short-term  deferral amounts, the separation pay exception or any other exception or exclusion under Section 409A  of the Code.  In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any  payment under this Agreement.  (b) Reimbursements and In-Kind Benefits.  Notwithstanding anything to the  contrary in this Agreement, all reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement that  constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in  accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, including, without limitation, that (1) in  no event shall reimbursements by the Company under this Agreement be made later than the end of the  calendar year next following the calendar year in which the applicable fees and expenses were incurred;  provided that, the Executive shall have submitted an invoice for such fees and expenses at least 10 days  before the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such fees and expenses  were incurred; (2) the amount of in-kind benefits that the Company is obligated to pay or provide in any  given calendar year shall not affect the in-kind benefits that the Company is obligated to pay or provide  in any other calendar year; (3) the Executive’s right to have the Company pay or provide such  reimbursements and in-kind benefits may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit; and (4)  in no event shall the Company’s obligations to make such reimbursements or to provide such in-kind  benefits apply later than the Executive’s remaining lifetime (or if longer, through the twentieth (20th)  anniversary of the date first written above).   (c) Delay of Payments.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any  amounts payable or benefits to be provided to the Executive under Section 4 constitute deferred  compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (including by reason of the separation  pay and benefits under this Agreement being aggregated with the separation pay and benefits under  another arrangement to which the Executive and the Company or an Affiliated Entity are a party or in  which the Executive is an eligible participant), (1) if the Executive is a “specified employee” within the  meaning of Section 409A of the Code (as determined in accordance with the methodology established  by the Company as in effect on the Date of Termination), amounts that constitute nonqualified deferred  compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code that would otherwise be payable during  the six-month period immediately following the Date of Termination on account of the Executive’s  separation from service shall instead be paid, with Interest (based on the rate in effect for the month in  which the Executive’s separation from service occurs), on the first business day of the seventh month  following the Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code;  (2) if the Executive dies following the Date of Termination and prior to the payment of any amounts  delayed on account of Section 409A of the Code, such amounts shall be paid to the personal  representative of the Executive’s estate within thirty (30) days after the date of the Executive’s death;  and (3) in no event shall the Date of Termination of the Executive’s employment be deemed to occur  until the Executive experiences a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the  Code, and notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the date on which such separation  from service takes place shall be the Date of Termination.   DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

  - 18 -  Section 14. Survivorship.  Upon the expiration or other termination of this  Agreement or the Executive’s employment, the respective rights and obligations of the parties hereto  shall survive to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties under this Agreement.  [Signature page follows]  DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and,  pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in  its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.  ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP  By:  Date:   Name:  Randall J. Erickson  Title:  Executive Vice President, General Counsel  And Corporate Secretary       By:  Date:   Name:  John P. Thayer    DocuSign Envelope ID: A317C92E-D055-4D96-A471-0DADD4A22A28 7/13/2021 | 2:27:04 PM PDT 7/13/2021 | 4:21:54 PM CDTExhibit 4.1

 

NUMBER OF UNITS

U-            

 

SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

CUSIP [_________]

 

HAWKS ACQUISITION CORP

UNITS CONSISTING OF ONE SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND

ONE-THIRD OF ONE REDEEMABLE PUBLIC WARRANT, EACH WHOLE PUBLIC WARRANT ENTITLING THE

HOLDER TO PURCHASE ONE SHARE OF

CLASS A COMMON STOCK

 

THIS CERTIFIES THAT          is the owner of Units.

 

Each Unit (“Unit”)
consists of one (1) share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), of Hawks Acquisition
Corp, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and one-half (1/2) of one public warrant (each whole public warrant
a “ Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (1) share (subject to adjustment)
of Common Stock for $11.50 per share (subject to adjustment). Only whole Public Warrants are exercisable. Each whole Public Warrant will
become exercisable on the later of (i) thirty (30) days after the Company’s completion of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset
acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses (each, a “Business
Combination”), or (ii) twelve (12) months from the closing of the Company’s initial public offering, and will expire
unless exercised before 5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on the date that is five (5) years after the date on which the Company completes
its initial Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation (the “Expiration Date”). The Common Stock
and Public Warrants comprising the Units represented by this certificate are not transferable separately prior to [●], 2021, unless
[Representative] elects to allow earlier separate trading, subject to the Company’s filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K with
the Securities and Exchange Commission containing an audited balance sheet reflecting the Company’s receipt of the gross proceeds
of the Company’s initial public offering and issuing a press release announcing when separate trading will begin. No fractional
Public Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Public Warrants will trade. The terms of the Public Warrants
are governed by Public Warrant Agreement, dated as of [●], 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
the “Public Warrant Agreement”), between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant
Agent (in such capacity, the “Warrant Agent”), and are subject to the terms and provisions contained therein, all
of which terms and provisions the holder of this certificate consents to by acceptance hereof. Copies of the Public Warrant Agreement
are on file at the office of the  Warrant Agent at One State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10014, and are available
to any Public Warrant holder on written request and without cost.

 

Upon the consummation of the Company’s
initial Business Combination, the Units represented by this certificate will automatically separate into the shares of Common Stocks
and Public Warrants comprising such Units.

 

This certificate is not valid unless countersigned
by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar of the Company.

 

This certificate shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

 

Witness the facsimile signature of its duly authorized officers.

 

	 	 	 
	Secretary	 	Chief Executive Officer

 

     

     

    

 

HAWKS ACQUISITION CORP

 

The Company will furnish without charge
to each unitholder who so requests, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional
or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions
of such preferences and/or rights.

 

The following abbreviations, when used in
the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable
laws or regulations:

 

	TEN COM	—	as tenants in common	UNIF GIFT MIN ACT —	Custodian
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	TEN ENT	—	as tenants by the entireties	 	(Cust) 	
        (Minor)

         

	 	 	 	 	 
	JT TEN	—	as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common	 	
        

        under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

        (State)

         

 

Additional abbreviations may also be used
though not in the above list.

 

For value received, hereby sell, assign and transfer unto

 

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR

OTHER

IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS,
INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

 

Units represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

Attorney to transfer the said Units on the books of the within
named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated

	 	 
	 	Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with
    the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
    whatever.

 

	Signature(s) Guaranteed:	 
	 	 
	THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED
    BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP
    IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE).	 

 

    2

     

    

 

In each case, as more fully described in the Company’s
final prospectus dated [_], 2021, the holder(s) of the Company’s Class A common Stock shall be entitled to receive a pro-rata
portion of certain funds held in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering only
in the event that (i) the Company redeems the shares of Class A common stock sold in its initial public offering and liquidates
because it does not consummate an initial business combination by [_], 2023 (or such later date if such period is extended pursuant
to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation as in effect at such time), (ii) the Company redeems the shares of Class A
common stock in connection with an initial business combination (including the release of funds to pay any amounts due to any public
stockholders who properly exercise their redemption rights in connection therewith), (iii) the Company redeems the shares of Class
A common stock sold in its initial public offering in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s
amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to
redeem 100% of the Class A common stock if it does not consummate an initial business combination by[_], 2023 (or such later date,
if such period is extended pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation as in effect at such time) or with respect
to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, or (iv) if
the holder(s) seek(s) to redeem for cash his, her or its respective shares of Class A common stock in connection with a tender
offer (or proxy solicitation, solely in the event the Company seeks stockholder approval of the proposed initial business combination)
setting forth the details of a proposed initial business combination. In no other circumstances shall the holder(s) have any right
or interest of any kind in or to the trust account.

 

    3

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