Document:

Exhibit 10.2

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement is made as
of December 1, 2021 by and between ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company (“Trustee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company’s
registration statements on Form S-1, Nos. 333-260891 and 333-261456 (“Registration Statement”) for its initial
public offering of securities (“IPO”) has been declared effective as of the date hereof (“Effective Date”)
by the Securities and Exchange Commission (capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in
the Registration Statement);

 

WHEREAS, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
(the “Representative”) is acting as the representative of the several underwriters in the IPO;

 

WHEREAS,
if a Business Combination (as defined herein) is not consummated within the initial 12 month period following the closing of the IPO,
the Company may extend such period by two extensions with each extension being three months for up to a maximum of 18 months in the aggregate,
subject to the Company’s sponsor ROC Energy Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”) or its affiliates or permitted designees
depositing $1,800,000 (or $2,070,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) into the Trust Account no
later than the 12 month and the 15 month anniversary of the IPO (each, an “Applicable Deadline”) for each three month
extension (each, an “Extension”), in exchange for which the Sponsor will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured
promissory note for each Extension that will be repaid only if the Company completes a Business Combination by the Applicable Deadline;

 

WHEREAS, as described in the
Registration Statement, and in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, $181,800,000 ($209,070,000
if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the proceeds from the IPO and a simultaneous private placement of units and the
proceeds from any loans in connection with an Extension, if any, will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held in a segregated
trust account located at all times in the United States (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Company and the
holders of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), issued in the IPO as hereinafter
provided (the proceeds to be delivered to the Trustee will be referred to herein as the “Property”; the stockholders
for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property will be referred to as the “Public Stockholders,” and the Public
Stockholders and the Company will be referred to together as the “Beneficiaries”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the
Trustee desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee shall hold the Property.

 

IT IS AGREED:

 

1. Agreements and Covenants of Trustee. The Trustee hereby
agrees and covenants to:

 

(a) Hold
the Property in trust for the Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of this Agreement in the Trust Account established by the Trustee
initially at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or at another U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets of $100 billion or more)
in the United States, maintained by Trustee, and deposit the Property in a brokerage institution located in the United States selected
by the Trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company;

 

(b) Manage, supervise, and administer the
Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

 

(c) In a timely manner,
upon the written instruction of the Company, either (a) invest and reinvest the Property in United States “government securities”
within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”),
having a maturity of 185 days or less, and/or in any open ended investment company registered under the Investment Company Act that holds
itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of paragraph (d) of Rule 2a-7 promulgated under
the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations or (b) cause the brokerage institution
referred to in 1(a) above to place the Property in a cash bank account such as an interest or non-interest bearing checking or savings
account; it being understood that unless the Company instructs the Trustee to do either of the foregoing, the Trust Account will earn
no interest while account funds are uninvested awaiting the Company’s instructions hereunder and while the funds are invested or
uninvested, the Trustee may earn bank credits or other consideration;

 

     

     

    

 

(d) Collect and receive,
when due, all principal and income arising from the Property, which shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used
herein;

 

(e) Notify the Company
and the Representative of all communications received by it with respect to any Property requiring action by the Company;

 

(f) Supply any necessary
information or documents as may be requested by the Company in connection with the Company’s preparation of its tax returns;

 

(g) Participate in any
plan or proceeding for protecting or enforcing any right or interest arising from the Property if, as, and when instructed by the Company
to do so;

 

(h) Render to the Company
monthly written statements of the activities of and amounts in the Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust
Account;

 

(i) Commence liquidation
of the Trust Account only after and promptly after receipt of, and only in accordance with, the terms of a letter (“Termination
Letter”), in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as either Exhibit A or Exhibit B,
signed on behalf of the Company and, in the case of a Termination Letter in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A,
jointly acknowledged and agreed to by the Representative, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute the Property
in the Trust Account only as directed in the Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein; provided, however, that in
the event that a Termination Letter has not been received by the Trustee prior to such date, the Trustee shall commence liquidation of
the Trust Account upon the date which is the latest of (1) 12 months after the closing of the IPO, (2) such later date upon
one or more Extensions effectuated pursuant to the terms hereof and (3) such later date as may be approved by the Company’s
stockholders in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, in which case the Trust Account
shall be liquidated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B and
the Property in the Trust Account, including interest (net of taxes), shall be distributed to the Public Stockholders of record as of
such date;

 

(j) Upon receipt of a
letter (an “Amendment Notification Letter”) in the form of Exhibit C, signed on behalf of the Company
by an authorized officer, distribute to Public Stockholders who exercised their conversion rights in connection with an amendment to Article Sixth
of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (an “Amendment”) an amount equal to the pro
rata share of the Property relating to the Common Stock for which such Public Stockholders have exercised conversion rights in connection
with such Amendment; and

 

(k) Upon receipt of an
extension letter (“Extension Letter”) substantially similar to Exhibit E hereto at least five business
days prior to the Applicable Deadline, signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer, and receipt of the dollar amount specified
in the Extension Letter on or prior to the Applicable Deadline, follow the instructions set forth in the Extension Letter.

 

2. Limited Distributions of Income from Trust Account.

 

(a) Upon written request
from the Company, which may be given from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit D,
the Trustee shall distribute to the Company the amount of interest income earned on the Trust Account requested by the Company to cover
any income or other tax obligation owed by the Company.

 

(b) The limited distributions
referred to in Section 2(a) above shall be made only from income collected on the Property. Except as provided in Section 2(a) above,
no other distributions from the Trust Account shall be permitted except in accordance with Sections 1(i) or 1(j) hereof.

 

     

     

    

 

3. Agreements and Covenants of the Company. The Company
agrees and covenants to:

 

(a) Give all instructions
to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed by any one of the Company’s authorized officers. In addition, except with respect to
its duties under Sections 1(i), 1(j) and 2(a) above, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely
on, and shall be protected in relying on, any verbal or telephonic advice or instruction which it in good faith believes to be given by
any one of the persons authorized above to give written instructions, provided that the Company shall promptly confirm such instructions
in writing;

 

(b) Subject to the provisions
of Section 5 of this Agreement, hold the Trustee harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and against any and all
expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or losses suffered by the Trustee in connection with any claim, potential
claim, action, suit, or other proceeding brought against the Trustee which in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the
services of the Trustee hereunder, or the Property or any income earned from investment of the Property, except for expenses and losses
resulting from the Trustee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Promptly after the receipt by the Trustee of notice of demand
or claim or the commencement of any action, suit, or proceeding, pursuant to which the Trustee intends to seek indemnification under this
paragraph, it shall notify the Company in writing of such claim (hereinafter referred to as the “Indemnified Claim”).
The Trustee shall have the right to conduct and manage the defense against such Indemnified Claim, provided, that the Trustee shall obtain
the consent of the Company with respect to the selection of counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Trustee may
not agree to settle any Indemnified Claim without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel;

 

(c) Pay the Trustee an
initial acceptance fee, an annual fee, and a transaction processing fee for each disbursement made pursuant to Section 2(a) as
set forth on Schedule A hereto, which fees shall be subject to modification by the parties from time to time. It is expressly
understood that the Property shall not be used to pay such fees and further agreed that any fees owed to the Trustee shall be deducted
by the Trustee pursuant to Section 1(i) solely in connection with the consummation of a business combination (a
 “Business Combination”). The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and first year’s fee at
the consummation of the IPO and thereafter on the anniversary of the Effective Date;

 

(d) In connection with
any vote of the Company’s stockholders regarding a Business Combination, provide to the Trustee an affidavit or certificate of a
firm regularly engaged in the business of soliciting proxies and/or tabulating stockholder votes verifying the vote of the Company’s
stockholders regarding such Business Combination;

 

(e) In the event that
the Company directs the Trustee to commence liquidation of the Trust Account pursuant to Section 1(i), the Company agrees
that it will not direct the Trustee to make any payments that are not specifically authorized by this Agreement;

 

(f) If the Company has
an Amendment approved by its stockholders, provide the Trustee with an Amendment Notification Letter in the form of Exhibit C providing
instructions for the distribution of funds to Public Stockholders who exercise their conversion rights in connection with such Amendment;
and

 

(g) Provide the Representative
with a copy of any Termination Letter, Amendment Notification Letter, and/or any other correspondence that it issues to the Trustee with
respect to any proposed withdrawal from the Trust Account promptly after such issuance.

 

4. Limitations of Liability. The Trustee shall have no
responsibility or liability to:

 

(a) Take any action with
respect to the Property, other than as directed in Sections 1 and 2 hereof, and the Trustee shall have
no liability to any party except for liability arising out of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct;

 

(b) Institute any proceeding
for the collection of any principal and income arising from, or institute, appear in, or defend any proceeding of any kind with respect
to, any of the Property unless and until it shall have received instructions from the Company given as provided herein to do so and the
Company shall have advanced or guaranteed to it funds sufficient to pay any expenses incident thereto;

 

     

     

    

 

(c) Change the investment
of any Property, other than in compliance with Section 1(c);

 

(d) Refund any depreciation
in principal of any Property;

 

(e) Assume that the authority
of any person designated by the Company to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise in such designation,
or unless the Company shall have delivered a written revocation of such authority to the Trustee;

 

(f) The other parties
hereto or to anyone else for any action taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith and
in the exercise of its own best judgment, except for its gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee may rely conclusively and
shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion, or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the
Trustee), statement, instrument, report, or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness
of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is believed by the Trustee,
in good faith, to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee shall not be bound by any notice
or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination, or rescission of this Agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless evidenced by a
written instrument delivered to the Trustee signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Trustee are affected,
unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto;

 

(g) Verify the correctness
of the information set forth in the Registration Statement or to confirm or assure that any Business Combination consummated by the Company
or any other action taken by it is as contemplated by the Registration Statement;

 

(h) File local, state,
and/or federal tax returns or information returns with any taxing authority on behalf of the Trust Account or deliver payee statements
to the Company documenting the taxes, if any, payable by the Company or the Trust Account, relating to the income earned on the Property;

 

(i) Pay any taxes on
behalf of the Trust Account (it being expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay any such taxes and that such taxes,
if any, shall be paid by the Company from funds not held in the Trust Account or released to it under Section 2(a) hereof);

 

(j) Imply obligations,
perform duties, inquire, or otherwise be subject to the provisions of any agreement or document other than this agreement and that which
is expressly set forth herein; or

 

(k) Verify calculations,
qualify, or otherwise approve Company requests for distributions pursuant to Sections 1(i), 1(j) or 2(a) above.

 

5. Trust Account Waiver. The Trustee
has no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) to, or to any monies in, the Trust
Account, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account that it may have now or in the future. In
the event the Trustee has any Claim against the Company under this Agreement, including, without limitation, under Section 3(b) or Section 3(c) hereof,
the Trustee shall pursue such Claim solely against the Company and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the Property or
any monies in the Trust Account.

 

6. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate as follows:

 

(a) If the Trustee gives
written notice to the Company that it desires to resign under this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to locate a
successor trustee during which time the Trustee shall act in accordance with this Agreement. At such time that the Company notifies the
Trustee that a successor trustee has been appointed by the Company and has agreed to become subject to the terms of this Agreement, the
Trustee shall transfer the management of the Trust Account to the successor trustee, including but not limited to the transfer of copies
of the reports and statements relating to the Trust Account, whereupon this Agreement shall terminate; provided, however, that, in the
event that the Company does not locate a successor trustee within ninety (90) days of receipt of the resignation notice from the Trustee,
the Trustee may submit an application to have the Property deposited with any court in the State of New York or with the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit, the Trustee shall be immune from any liability whatsoever;
or

 

     

     

    

 

(b) At such time that
the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the Trust Account in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(i) hereof,
and distributed the Property in accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this Agreement shall terminate except with respect
to Section 3(b) and Section 5.

 

7. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) The Company and the
Trustee will each restrict access to confidential information relating to funds being transferred to or from the Trust Account to authorized
persons. Each party must notify the other party immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access
to such information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In executing funds transfers, the Trustee will rely upon all information
supplied to it by the Company, including account names, account numbers, and all other identifying information relating to a beneficiary,
beneficiary’s bank, or intermediary bank. The Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability, or expense resulting from any
error in the information supplied to it or funds transferred based on such information.

 

(b) This Agreement shall
be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of
law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto consent to the
jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for purposes of resolving
any disputes hereunder. As to any claim, cross-claim, or counterclaim in any way relating to this Agreement, each party waives the right
to trial by jury.

 

(c) This Agreement may
be executed in several original or facsimile counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and together shall constitute
but one instrument.

 

(d) This Agreement contains
the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except for Sections 1(i) and
1(j) (which sections may not be modified, amended or deleted without the affirmative vote of fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company; provided that no such amendment will affect any Public Stockholder who has otherwise indicated
his, her or its election to redeem his, her or its shares of Common Stock in connection with a vote sought to amend this Agreement), this
Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto; provided,
however, that no such change, amendment or modification may be made without the prior written consent of the Representative. The Trustee
may require from Company counsel an opinion as to the propriety of any proposed amendment.

 

(e) Any notice, consent
or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express
mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery, by email or by facsimile transmission:

 

if to the Trustee, to:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

Email: fwolf@continentalstock.com

Email: cgonzalez@continentalstock.com

 

if to the Company, to:

 

ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.

16400 Dallas Parkway

Dallas, Texas 75248Attn: Daniel Jeffrey
Kimes, CEO

E-mail: dkimes@archenergypartners.com

 

     

     

    

 

in either case with a copy (which copy shall not
constitute notice) to:

 

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

366 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Steven Levine

E-mail: slevine@ebccap.com

 

and

 

Graubard Miller

The Chrysler Building

405 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10174

Attn: David Alan Miller, Esq.

E-mail: dmiller@graubard.com

 

and

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.

Email: sneuhauser@egsllp.com

 

(f) Except
as specified herein, no party to this Agreement may assign its rights or delegate its obligations hereunder to any other person or entity.

 

(g) Each of the Trustee
and the Company hereby represents that it has the full right and power and has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement and to
perform its respective obligations as contemplated hereunder.

 

(h) Each of the Company
and the Trustee hereby acknowledge that the Representative is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

     

     

    

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties
have duly executed this Investment Management Trust Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

	 	
    CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

     

	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Francis Wolf
	 	 	Name:	Francis Wolf
	 	 	Title:	
    Vice President

     

	 	 	 	 
	 	
    ROC ENERGY ACQUISITION CORP.

     

	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Daniel Jeffrey Kimes 
	 	 	Name: 	Daniel Jeffrey Kimes
	 	 	Title:	Chief Executive Officer 

 

     

     

    

 

SCHEDULE A

 

	Fee Item	 	Time and method of payment	 	Amount	 
	Initial acceptance fee	 	Initial closing of IPO by wire transfer	 	$	3,500.00	 
	Annual fee	 	First year, initial closing of IPO by wire transfer; thereafter on the anniversary of the effective date of the IPO by wire transfer or check	 	$	10,000.00	 
	Transaction processing fee for disbursements to Company under Section 2	 	Billed to Company following disbursement made to Company under Section 2	 	$	250.00	 
	Paying Agent services as required pursuant to section 1(i) and 1(j)	 	Billed to Company upon delivery of service pursuant to section 1(i) and 1(j)	 	 	 Prevailing rates	 

 

     

     

    

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[Letterhead of Company]

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer

& Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account - Termination Letter

 

Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(i) of
the Investment Management Trust Agreement between ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, dated as of December 1, 2021 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has entered
into an agreement with [__________________] to consummate a business combination (“Business Combination”) on or about [insert
date]. The Company shall notify you at least 72 hours in advance of the actual date of the consummation of the Business Combination
(“Consummation Date”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in
the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms
of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate the Trust Account investments and to transfer the proceeds to the Trust Account
at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. to the effect that, on the Consummation Date, all of the funds held in the Trust Account will be immediately
available for transfer to the account or accounts that the Company shall direct on the Consummation Date. It is acknowledged and agreed
that while the funds are on deposit in the trust account awaiting distribution, the Company will not earn any interest or dividends.

 

On the Consummation Date (i) counsel
for the Company shall deliver to you written notification that the Business Combination has been consummated and (ii) the Company
shall deliver to you (a) [an affidavit] [a certificate] by the Chief Executive Officer, which verifies the vote of the Company’s
stockholders in connection with the Business Combination if a vote is held and (b) joint written instructions from the Company and
the Representative with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account (“Instruction Letter”). You
are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the counsel's letter
and the Instruction Letter, in accordance with the terms of the Instruction Letter. In the event that certain deposits held in the Trust
Account may not be liquidated by the Consummation Date without penalty, you will notify the Company of the same and the Company shall
direct you as to whether such funds should remain in the Trust Account and distributed after the Consummation Date to the Company. Upon
the distribution of all the funds in the Trust Account pursuant to the terms hereof, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall
be terminated.

 

In the event that the Business
Combination is not consummated on the Consummation Date described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you on or before the
original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then upon receipt by the you of written instructions from the Company, the funds
held in the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in the Trust Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation
Date as set forth in the notice.

 

	 	Very truly yours,
	 	 
	 	ROC ENERGY ACQUISITION CORP.
	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	 	Name:	 
	 	 	Title:	 

 

     

     

    

 

AGREED TO AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY

 

	EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC.	 
	 	 	 	 
	By:	 	 
	 	Name: 	 	 
	 	Title:	 	 

 

     

     

    

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account
- Termination Letter

 

Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(i) of
the Investment Management Trust Agreement ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, dated as of December 1, 2021 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company has been
unable to effect a Business Combination with a Target Company within the time frame specified in the Company’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as described in the Company’s prospectus relating to its IPO. Capitalized terms used herein and not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms
of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate the Trust Account and to transfer the total proceeds of the Trust to the
Trust Operating Account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. to await distribution to the Public Stockholders. The Company has selected [____________,
20__] as the effective date for the purpose of determining when the Public Stockholders will be entitled to receive their share of the
liquidation proceeds. It is acknowledged that while the funds are on deposit in the Trust Operating Account awaiting distribution, the
Company will not earn any interest or dividends. You agree to be the Paying Agent of record and in your separate capacity as Paying Agent,
to distribute said funds directly to the Public Stockholders in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds in the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust
Agreement shall be terminated.

 

	 	Very truly yours,
	 	 
	 	ROC ENERGY ACQUISITION CORP.
	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	 	Name:	 
	 	 	Title:	 

 

cc: EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

 

     

     

    

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account–
Amendment Notification Letter

 

Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:

 

Reference is made to the Investment
Management Trust Agreement between ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, dated as of December 1, 2021 (“Trust Agreement”). Capitalized words used herein and not otherwise
defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust Agreement.

 

Pursuant to Section 1(j) of
the Trust Agreement, this is to advise you that the Company has sought an Amendment. Accordingly, in accordance with the terms of the
Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate a sufficient portion of the Trust Account and to transfer $____ of the total proceeds
of the Trust to the Trust Account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. to await distribution to the Public Stockholders that have requested
conversion of their shares in connection with such Amendment. The remaining funds shall be reinvested by you as previously instructed.

 

	 	Very truly yours,
	 	 
	 	ROC ENERGY ACQUISITION CORP.
	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	 	Name:	 
	 	 	Title:	 

 

cc: EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

 

     

     

    

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and Celeste Gonzalez

 

Re: Trust Account
- Tax Expense Withdrawal

 

Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:

 

Pursuant to Section 2(a) of
the Investment Management Trust Agreement between ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. (“Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, dated as of December 1, 2021 (“Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver
to the Company [$_______] of the interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof. The Company needs such funds to pay for
its income or other tax obligations.

 

In accordance with the terms
of the Trust Agreement, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of
this letter to the Company’s operating account at:

 

[WIRE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION]

 

	 	ROC ENERGY ACQUISITION CORP.
	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	 	Name:	 
	 	 	Title:	 

 

cc: EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

 

     

     

    

 

EXHIBIT E

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th
Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Francis Wolf and
Celeste Gonzalez

 

	 	Re:	Trust Account -  Extension Letter

 

Dear Mr. Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:

 

Pursuant
to Section 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. (“Company”)
and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of December 1, 2021 (“Trust Agreement”), this
is to advise you that the Company is extending the time available to consummate a Business Combination for an additional three (3) months,
from _______ to _________ (the “Extension”).

 

This
Extension Letter shall serve as the notice required with respect to Extension prior to the Applicable Deadline. Capitalized words used
herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust Agreement.

 

In
accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to deposit $1,800,000 [(or $2,070,000 if the underwriters’
over-allotment option was exercised in full)], which will be wired to you, into the Trust Account investments upon receipt.

 

This
is the [first/second] of up to two Extension Letters.

 

	 	Very truly yours,
	 	 
	 	ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.
	 	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	 	Name:
	 	 	Title:

 

cc: EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.Exhibit 10.3

 

STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT

 

STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated
as of December 1, 2021 (“Agreement”), by and among ROC ENERGY ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation (“Company”),
the stockholders of the Company listed on Exhibit A hereto (the “Founders”) and CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER &
TRUST COMPANY, a New York limited purpose trust company (“Escrow Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed
for the purpose of completing a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar
business combination (a “Business Combination”) with one or more businesses or entities.

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered
into an Underwriting Agreement, dated December 1, 2021 (“Underwriting Agreement”), with EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC. (the
 “Representative”) acting as representative of the several underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”),
pursuant to which, among other matters, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase 18,000,000 units (“Units”) of the
Company, plus an additional 2,700,000 Units if the Representative exercises the over-allotment option in full. Each Unit consists of one
share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), and one right to receive one-tenth
of a share of Common Stock (“Right”), all as more fully described in the Company’s final Prospectus, dated December 1,
2021 (“Prospectus”) comprising part of the Company’s Registration Statements on Form S-1 (File No. 333-260891
and 333-261456) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Registration Statement”), declared effective on December 1,
2021 (“Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Founders have
agreed as a condition of the sale of the Units to deposit their shares of Common Stock of the Company in escrow as hereinafter provided.

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the
Founders desire that the Escrow Agent accept the shares of Common Stock, in escrow, to be held and disbursed as hereinafter provided.

 

IT IS AGREED:

 

1. Appointment of
Escrow Agent. The Company and the Founders hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act in accordance with and subject to the terms of this
Agreement and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with and subject to such terms.

 

2. Deposit of Shares.
On or before the Effective Date, the Founders’ respective shares of Common Stock set forth on Exhibit A hereto shall be deposited
in escrow, to be held and disbursed subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Founders acknowledge that the shares deposited
in escrow will be legended to reflect the deposit of such shares under this Agreement.

 

3. Disbursement of
the Escrow Shares.

 

3.1 If the over-allotment option
to purchase all or a portion of the additional 2,700,000 Units of the Company is not exercised in full within 45 days of the date of the
Prospectus (as described in the Underwriting Agreement), the Founders agree that the Escrow Agent shall return to the Company for cancellation,
at no cost, the number of shares of Common Stock determined by multiplying 675,000 by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is 2,700,000
minus the number of shares of Common Stock included in the Units purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of the over-allotment
option, and (ii) the denominator of which is 2,700,000. The Company shall promptly provide notice to the Escrow Agent of the expiration
or termination of the over-allotment option and the number of Units, if any, purchased by the Underwriters in connection with the exercise
thereof.

 

     

     

    

 

3.2 Except as otherwise set
forth herein, the Escrow Agent shall hold the shares remaining after any cancellation required pursuant to Section 3.1 above (such
remaining shares to be referred to herein as the “Escrow Shares”) until (i) with respect to 50% of the Escrow
Shares, the earlier of (x) one year after the date of the consummation of an initial Business Combination and (y) the date
on which the last sale price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations
and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period following the consummation of the Business Combination
and (ii) with respect to the remaining 50% of the Escrow Shares, one year after the date of the consummation of an initial Business
Combination (such period of time during which the Escrow Shares are held in escrow, the “Escrow Period”). The Company
shall promptly provide notice of the consummation of an initial Business Combination to the Escrow Agent. Upon completion of the Escrow
Period, the Escrow Agent shall disburse such amount of each Founder’s Escrow Shares to the applicable Founder; provided, however,
that if, after the consummation of an initial Business Combination and during the Escrow Period, the Company (or the surviving entity)
consummates a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the stockholders of such entity
having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property, then the Escrow Agent will, upon receipt
of a notice executed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or other authorized officer of the Company, in form reasonably
acceptable to the Escrow Agent, certifying that such transaction is then being consummated or such conditions have been achieved, as
applicable, release the Escrow Shares to the Founders. The Escrow Agent shall have no further duties hereunder after the disbursement
of the Escrow Shares in accordance with this Section 3.2.

 

3.3 If the Escrow Agent
is notified by the Company pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof that the Company’s Trust Account (as defined in that certain Investment
Management Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Escrow Agent as trustee thereunder) is being
liquidated, then the Escrow Agent shall deliver the certificates representing the Escrow Shares to the Founders promptly after the public
stockholders are paid the liquidating distributions and shall have no further duties hereunder.

 

4. Rights of Founders
in Escrow Shares.

 

4.1 Voting Rights as
a Stockholder. Subject to the terms of the Insider Letters described in Section 4.4 hereof and except as herein provided, the
Founders shall retain all of their rights as stockholders of the Company as long as any shares are held in escrow pursuant to this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the right to vote such shares.

 

4.2 Dividends and Other
Distributions in Respect of the Escrow Shares. For as long as any shares are held in escrow pursuant to this Agreement, all dividends
payable in cash with respect to the Escrow Shares shall be paid to the Founders, but all dividends payable in stock or other non-cash
property (“Non-Cash Dividends”) shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof.
As used herein, the term “Escrow Shares” shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash Dividends distributed thereon, if any.

 

4.3 Restrictions on
Transfer. During the Escrow Period, the only permitted transfers of the Escrow Shares will be (i) to the Founders and the Company’s
officers, directors, consultants or their affiliates, (ii) to a Founder’s stockholders, partners or members upon such Founder’s
liquidation, (iii) by bona fide gift to a member of the Founders’ immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which
is a Founder or a member of a Founder’s immediate family for estate planning purposes, (iv) by virtue of the laws of descent
and distribution upon death of a Founder, (v) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order binding on a Founder, (vi) to
the Company for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination or (vii) by private sales
of the Escrow Shares made at or prior to the consummation of a Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Escrow
Shares were originally purchased; provided, however, that except for clause (vi) or with the Company’s prior written consent,
such permitted transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferee’s written agreement to be bound by the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and of the Insider Letter signed by the Founder transferring the shares.

 

4.4 Insider Letters.
The Founders have executed letter agreements with the Company and the Representative, dated as of the date hereto, the form of which is
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (“Insider Letter”), respecting the rights and obligations of such
Founders in certain events, including, but not limited to, the liquidation of the Company.

 

     

     

    

 

5. Concerning the
Escrow Agent.

 

5.1 Good Faith Reliance.
The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment,
and may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including
counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the
validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is
believed by the Escrow Agent in good faith to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Escrow Agent
shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless evidenced
by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are
affected, unless it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.

 

5.2 Indemnification.
Subject to Section 5.8 below, the Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any expenses,
including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered by the Escrow Agent in connection with any action, suit or other
proceeding involving any claim which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the
Escrow Agent hereunder, or the Escrow Shares held by it hereunder, other than expenses or losses arising from the gross negligence, fraud
or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. Promptly after the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement
of any action, suit or proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify the other parties hereto in writing. In the event of the receipt of such
notice, the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may commence an action in the nature of interpleader in an appropriate court to determine
ownership or disposition of the Escrow Shares or it may deposit the Escrow Shares with the clerk of any appropriate court or it may retain
the Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final, non-appealable order of a court having jurisdiction over all of the parties hereto directing
to whom and under what circumstances the Escrow Shares are to be disbursed and delivered. The provisions of this Section 5.2 shall
survive in the event the Escrow Agent resigns or is discharged pursuant to Sections 5.5 or 5.6 below.

 

5.3 Compensation.
Subject to Section 5.8 below, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Company for all services rendered
by it hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall also be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for all reasonable expenses paid or incurred
by it in the administration of its duties hereunder including, but not limited to, all counsel, advisors’ and agents’ fees
and disbursements and all taxes or other governmental charges.

 

5.4 Further Assurances.
From time to time on and after the date hereof, the Company and the Founders shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent
such further documents and instruments and shall do or cause to be done such further acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request
to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to evidence compliance herewith or to assure itself that
it is protected in acting hereunder.

 

5.5 Resignation.
The Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto
written notice and such resignation shall become effective as hereinafter provided. Such resignation shall become effective at such time
that the Escrow Agent shall turn the Escrow Shares over to a successor escrow agent appointed by the Company and approved by the Representative,
which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. If no new escrow agent is so appointed within the 60-day period
following the giving of such notice of resignation, the Escrow Agent may deposit the Escrow Shares with any court it reasonably deems
appropriate in the State of New York.

 

5.6 Discharge of Escrow
Agent. The Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder if so requested in writing at any
time by all of the other parties hereto; provided, however, that such resignation shall become effective only upon the appointment of
a successor escrow agent selected by the Company and approved by the Representative, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed.

 

5.7 Liability. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall not be relieved from liability hereunder for its own gross negligence, fraud or
willful misconduct.

 

     

     

    

 

5.8 Waiver. The
Escrow Agent hereby waives any right of set-off or any other right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”)
in, or to any distribution of, the Trust Account and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any
Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

6. Miscellaneous.

 

6.1 Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect
to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto
consent to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for purposes
of resolving any disputes hereunder. As to any claim, cross-claim, or counterclaim in any way relating to this Agreement, each party waives
the right to trial by jury.

 

6.2 Third Party Beneficiaries.
Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby acknowledges that the Representative is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

6.3 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as expressly
provided herein, may only be changed, amended, or modified by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

 

6.4 Headings. The
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation thereof.

 

6.5 Binding Effect.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective parties hereto and their legal representatives, successors
and assigns.

 

6.6 Notices. Any
notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery, by email or
by facsimile transmission:

 

If to the Company, to:

 

ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.

16400 Dallas Parkway

Dallas, Texas 75248

Email: dkimes@rocspac.com

 

If to a Founder, to his/her/its
address set forth in Exhibit A.

 

and if to the Escrow Agent,
to:

 

Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Client Administration
Dept.

Fax No.:

Email: accountadmin@continentalstock.com

 

A copy of any notice sent hereunder
shall be sent to:

 

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

366 Madison Ave 8th
Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Steven Levine

Fax No.:

Email: slevine@ebccap.com

 

     

     

    

 

with a copy to:

 

Graubard Miller

The Chrysler Building

405 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10174

Attn: David Alan Miller, Esq.

Fax No.: (212) 818-8881

Email: dmiller@graubard.com

 

and:

 

Ellenoff Grossman &
Schole, LLP

1345 Avenue of the
Americas

New York, NY 10105

Attn: Douglas S. Ellenoff, Esq.

Fax No.: (212) 370-7889

Email: ellenoff@egsllp.com

 

The parties may change the persons
and addresses to which the notices or other communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such change in the manner provided
herein for giving notice.

 

6.7 Liquidation of the
Trust Account. The Company shall give the Escrow Agent written notification of the liquidation of the Trust Account in the event that
the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within the time period specified in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

6.8 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original and may be delivered by facsimile
transmission and together shall constitute one instrument.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

     

     

    

 

WITNESS the execution of this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

	 	ROC ENERGY ACQUISITION CORP.
	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Daniel Jeffrey Kimes
	 	Name:	Daniel Jeffrey Kimes
	 	Title:	Chief Executive Officer 
	 	 
	 	ROC ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC
	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Joseph Drysdale
	 	Name:	Joseph Drysdale
	 	Title:	Managing Member
	 	 
	 	 
	 	CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Francis Wolf
	 	Name:	Francis Wolf
	 	Title:	Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Stock Escrow Agreement]

 

     

     

    

 

EXHIBIT A

 

	Name and Address of Founder	Number of Shares 
	 	 
	
    ROC ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC

    16400 Dallas Parkway

    Dallas, Texas 75248

    Attn: Joe Drysdale

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