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EXHIBIT 4.2
DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

As of February 1, 2020, Express, Inc. (“Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”) had one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): our common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

The following description is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual terms and provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), each of which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, of which this Exhibit 4.2 is a part. We encourage you to read our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) for additional information.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Authorized Shares of Capital Stock

Our authorized capital stock consists of 500.0 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10.0 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). As of February 1, 2020, no shares of Preferred Stock have been issued.

Common Stock 

Voting Rights 

Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote. Subject to any rights that may be applicable to any then outstanding Preferred Stock, our Common Stock votes as a single class on all matters relating to the election and removal of directors on our board of directors and as provided by law. Holders of our Common Stock will not have cumulative voting rights. At a meeting of the stockholders at which a quorum is present, except in respect of matters relating to the election and removal of directors on our board of directors and as otherwise provided in our Certificate of Incorporation, the rules of any stock exchange on which our Common Stock is listed or required by law, all matters to be voted on by our stockholders must be approved by a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter. 

In the case of election of directors, when a quorum is present, a nominee for director will be elected if a majority of the votes casts are for the nominee’s election, except that nominees for director shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the stockholders for which: (i) the Secretary of the Company receives a notice that a stockholder has nominated a person for election to the board of directors in compliance with the advance notice provisions set forth in the Bylaws and (ii) such nomination was not withdrawn by such stockholder on or prior to the tenth day preceding the date the Company first mails its notice of such meeting of the stockholders. If directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, stockholders are not permitted to vote against a nominee for director. In the case of removal of directors, a director may be removed for office only for cause and by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% percent of the voting shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. 

Dividend Rights 

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding Preferred Stock, the holders of our outstanding shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. Because we are a holding company, our ability to pay dividends on our Common Stock is limited by restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to us, including restrictions under the terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness. 

Liquidation Rights 

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, holders of our Common Stock would be entitled to share ratably in our assets that are legally available for distribution to stockholders after payment of our debts and other liabilities. If we have any Preferred Stock outstanding at such time, holders of the Preferred Stock may be entitled to distribution and/or liquidation preferences. In either such case, we must pay the applicable distribution to the holders of our Preferred Stock before we may pay distributions to the holders of our Common Stock. 

Other Rights 

Our stockholders have no preemptive, conversion or other rights to subscribe for additional shares. All of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our Preferred Stock that we may designate and issue in the future. Our common stock is not subject to redemption by operating of a sinking fund or otherwise.

Listing 

Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EXPR.” 

Transfer Agent and Registrar 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND 
OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also contain provisions that may delay, defer or discourage another party from acquiring control of us. We expect that these provisions, which are summarized below, will discourage coercive takeover practices or inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors, which we believe may result in an improvement of the terms of any such acquisition in favor of our stockholders. However, they also give our board of directors the power to discourage acquisitions that some stockholders may favor. 

Undesignated Preferred Stock 

The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock will make it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with super voting, special approval, dividend or other rights or preferences on a discriminatory basis that could impede the success of any attempt to acquire us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our company.

Classified Board of Directors 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our board of directors will be divided into three classes, with each class serving three-year staggered terms. In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors may only be removed from the board of directors for cause and by an affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of our Common Stock. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our company. 

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Meetings, Nominations and Proposals 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of our stockholders can only be called by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office. Our Bylaws prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. In addition, any stockholder who wishes to bring business before an annual meeting or nominate directors must comply with the notice requirements set forth in our Bylaws. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our company. 

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, unless the company’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders may be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of our stockholders and may not be effected by consent in writing by such stockholders. 

Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders 

We have elected in our Certificate of Incorporation not to be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an antitakeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with a person or group owning 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Accordingly, we are not subject to 

any antitakeover effects of Section 203. However, our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that have the same effect as Section 203, except that they provide that Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc. and any persons to whom Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc. sells their common stock will be deemed to have been approved by our board of directors, and thereby not subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 203.

Supermajority Stockholder Vote Required for Certain Actions 

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Any amendments to the foregoing provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation (except related to Preferred Stock) and any amendments to our Bylaws require the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all shares of our Common Stock then outstanding, and any amendments to Article Ten of our Certificate of Incorporation require the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting power of all shares of our Common Stock then outstanding.Document

Exhibit 10.1

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This Separation Agreement and Release of Claims (the “Agreement”) is a binding contract between Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries, affiliates, and related entities (including the entities known as NCI Group, Inc., NCI Building Systems, Inc., Ply Gem Industries, Inc., and Employee’s hiring entity), (collectively, the “Company”), on the one hand, and, Donald R. Riley, individually (“Employee”), on the other hand. The Company and Employee will be referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
I.RECITALS
WHEREAS, Employee has served as the CEO of the NCI Division and Head of Supply Chain and Technology and then as CEO of the Commercial Solutions Segment and Head of Supply Chain and Technology pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement between Employee and NCI Building Systems, Inc. and NCI Group, Inc., dated July 1, 2017, as amended by the Letter Agreement between Employee and NCI Building Systems, Inc. dated December 10, 2018, (collectively, the “Employment Agreement”); 
WHEREAS, on February 10, 2020, the Company and Employee separated employment.  For purposes of this Agreement and the Employment Agreement, the employment termination is without “Cause” (as that term is defined in the Employment Agreement) and is agreed by the Parties to have occurred within twenty-four (24) months after a Change in Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Employment Agreement provides that Employee’s right to receive the benefits described in the Employment Agreement are conditioned on Employee’s execution, delivery and non-revocation of a general release of any and all claims against the Company and its Affiliates (the “Release”), which Release shall include the release of claims attached as Appendix B to the Employment Agreement and such other terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed by the Parties; 
WHEREAS, on February 10, 2020, Employee was provided by the Company an agreement titled “Separation Agreement and Complete Release of Claims” in furtherance of the general release requirement, which included certain language in Appendix B; 
WHEREAS, on February 24, 2020, Employee signed Appendix B and agreed to continue to negotiate a Release, including such additional terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed by the Parties.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the terms and provisions set forth herein, the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
II.        DEFINITIONS
Any capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Employment Agreement. 
“Equity Documents” collectively means the Plan and all Stock Agreements.
“Plan” refers to the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, maintained by the Company for purposes of providing incentives, business goodwill, and encouraging share ownership on the part of employees, officers, directors, and consultants.

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.
“Stock Agreements” shall mean all underlying award agreements issued pursuant to the Plan granting the Stock Awards to Employee.
“Stock Awards” refers to the restricted stock units, stock options, performance share units, and/or performance cash-based and share awards, or any other equity or equity-based awards, previously granted by the Company to Employee in accordance with the Plan and all award agreements issued pursuant to the Plan. 
“Unvested Shares” shall mean the Stock Awards granted to Employee which remain unvested upon the separation of Employee's employment pursuant to the terms of the Equity Documents.
“Vested Shares” shall mean the Stock Awards granted to Employee which will vest in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and/or the Equity Documents.
III.       AGREEMENT
1.Separation from Employment. Effective as of February 10, 2020, (the “Separation Date”), Employee separated as an employee of the Company. As of the Separation Date, Employee shall also have resigned from all positions held with the Company. 
2.Minimum Termination Compensation. Irrespective of whether Employee signs this Agreement, Employee will receive the Minimum Termination Compensation (as defined in Section 5.a. of the Employment Agreement).  
3.Review of Agreement. Employee acknowledges that he shall have twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date it is fully negotiated to consider and execute this Agreement and that he may use as much or as little of this time as he wishes. To accept the Agreement, Employee
 must date and sign and return the Agreement to the Company or its attorney Michelle Mahony.  Return of the agreement may be made by (i) personal delivery to Cornerstone Building Brands, Attention: Katy Theroux, 10943 N. Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, Texas, 77064, or (ii) email to Katy.Theroux@cornerstone-bb.com or MMahony@m2dlaw.com. Following execution of the Agreement, Employee shall have seven (7) days to revoke his acceptance of this Agreement. Revocation must be in writing and submitted to the Company at the personal delivery address and/or e-mail indicated above. Revocation will not be effective unless it is received by the Company prior to the 8th day after Employee executes this Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective upon the expiration of the revocation period, and will be irrevocable at that time (hereinafter, the “Effective Date”). 
4.Consult Attorney. By tender of this Agreement to Employee, the Company hereby advises Employee in writing to consult with an attorney of his choosing prior to signing this Agreement. 
5.Separation Benefits.   Upon execution of a Release as defined in the Employment Agreement (including such additional terms as may be mutually agreed), Employee will be provided the “Separation Benefits” described in Section 5.c(i)-(ii) of the Employment Agreement regarding “Payment Following a Change in Control” in the event Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause within twenty-(24) months after a Change in Control.  Those benefits include (a) the “Base Severance Payment” (as defined in the Employment Agreement and set forth on Exhibit B), (b) three (3) times the target annual bonus of the Employee for the year in which the date of termination occurs (the “CIC Payment”) (as set forth on Exhibit B), (c) the “Pro Rata Bonus” (as defined in the Employment Agreement) and (d) the COBRA Premium Payment (as defined in the Employment Agreement and set forth on Exhibit B).  All payments and benefits are subject to all withholding required for taxes.  The Parties agree that this Agreement satisfies the Release requirement.  Employee further understands and agrees that he would not be entitled to such benefits in the absence of his execution of a Release (as defined in the Employment Agreement).

a.Payment Terms.  Employee understands that the foregoing Separation Benefits shall be subject to terms set forth in the Employment Agreement, including the forfeiture terms contained in Section 11, in addition to those set forth in the Equity Documents.  All payments shall be made pursuant to the schedule set forth on Exhibit B (or if not specified therein, such as for the Pro Rata Bonus, in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement. 
b.No Other Severance; No Reduction for Deferred Compensation.  The Parties  agree that pursuant to Section 5.e of the Employment Agreement, Employee shall have no duty to seek other employment nor shall any payments made or to be made to Employee pursuant to the Employment Agreement be offset by any amount earned from other employment or for any other reason and the payments set forth in Section 5 of the Employment Agreement shall constitute the exclusive payments and benefits in the nature of severance or termination pay or salary continuation and termination benefits which shall be due to Employee upon the termination of employment and shall be in lieu of any other such payments under any plan, program, policy or other arrangement which has heretofore been or shall hereafter be established by the Company or any of its affiliates.  The calculations of the Minimum Termination Compensation, Base Severance Payment, Pro Rata Bonus, COBRA Premium Payment, and the CIC Severance Payment shall be made without reduction for any voluntary deferral of compensation made by Employee.
6.  Stock Awards. The treatment of all outstanding Stock Awards upon the Separation Date shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Equity Documents, as applicable. The Parties have conferred and jointly drafted Exhibit A attached hereto, which they agree lists the applicable vesting treatment upon the Separation Date of all outstanding Stock Awards.   
7.  Restrictive Covenants. 
a.Survival of Restrictive Covenants in Employment Agreement.  Consistent with Sections 11 and 14 of the Employment Agreement, Employee agrees that the restrictive covenants contained in the Employment Agreement, expressly including those contained in Sections 6 and 7 and 8 of the Employment Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect as binding obligations on the Parties in accordance with their express terms following execution of this Agreement. Employee agrees that he has read and understands these obligations and agrees to abide by the same.
b.Survival of Restrictive Covenants in Equity Documents.  As a condition to acceptance of the Stock Awards issued to Employee by the Company, Employee electronically agreed to the terms and conditions of the accompanying Equity Documents, including but not limited to certain non-competition, non-solicitation, non-recruitment, non-disclosure and other restrictive covenants contained in those Equity Documents.  The Parties agree that those restrictive covenants shall also remain in full force and effect as binding obligations on Employee in accordance with their express terms following execution of this Agreement.  Employee agrees that he has read and understands these obligations.
8. Return of Company Property. Employee acknowledges that as of the date of this Agreement, to best of his knowledge, he has surrendered to the Company all lists, books, and records and other documents incident to the business of the Company and its Affiliates, and all other property belonging to any of them, it being understood that all such lists, books, records, and other documents are the property of the Company and its Affiliates; provided, however, that Employee has not surrendered and is permitted to retain a copy of his contacts and calendar as well as a copy of all publicly filed plans and agreements, benefit plans and Equity Documents in which Employee participates, employee handbooks applicable to Employee and statements of Employee’s compensation and benefits that have been provided to Employee by the Company, its Affiliates or any of their designated plan service providers.  
9. Release of Claims by Employee. Employee hereby waives and releases and forever discharges the Company and its and their respective parent entities, subsidiaries, divisions, limited partnerships, affiliated corporations, successors and assigns and their respective past and present directors, managers, officers, stockholders, partners, agents, employees, insurers, attorneys, and servants each in his, her or its capacity as 

such, and each of them, separately and collectively (collectively, “Releasees”), from any and all existing claims, charges, complaints, liens, demands, causes of action, obligations, damages and liabilities, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, whether or not mature or ripe, that Employee ever had and now has against any Releasee arising out of or in any way related to Employee’s employment with or separation from the Company, to any services performed for the Company, to any status, term or condition in such employment, or to any physical or mental harm or distress from such employment or non-employment or claim to any hire, rehire or future employment of any kind by the Company, all to the extent allowed by applicable law. This release of claims includes, but is not limited to, claims based on express or implied contract, compensation plans, covenants of good faith and fair dealing, wrongful discharge, claims for discrimination, harassment and retaliation, violation of public policy, tort or common law, whistleblower or retaliation claims; and claims for additional compensation or damages or attorneys' fees or claims under federal, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances, including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”), or equivalent state WARN Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Employee understands that this release of claims includes a release of all known and unknown claims through the date on which this release of claims becomes irrevocable.
Limitation of Release: Notwithstanding the foregoing, this release of claims will not prohibit Employee from filing a charge of discrimination with the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or an equivalent state civil rights agency, but Employee agrees and understands that he is waiving his right to monetary compensation thereby if any such agency elects to pursue a claim on his behalf.  Further, nothing in this release of claims shall be construed to waive any right that is not subject to waiver by private agreement under federal, state or local employment or other laws, such as claims for workers' compensation or unemployment benefits or any claims that may arise after the date on which this release of claims becomes irrevocable.  In addition, nothing in this release of claims will be construed to affect any of the following claims, all rights in respect of which are reserved:
a.Any payment or benefit set forth in the Agreement;
b.Any rights as a shareholder of the Company;
c.Reimbursement of unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred prior to the termination date in accordance with policy of the Company;
d.Claims in respect of equity compensation owned by Employee or rights to LTIP or other equity awards;
e.Vested benefits under the general employee benefit plans (other than severance pay or termination benefits under general policy of the Company, all rights to which are hereby waived and released);
f.Any claim for unemployment compensation or workers' compensation administered by a state government to which Employee is presently or may become entitled;
g.Any claim that either of the Companies has breached this release of claims; and
h.Indemnification as a current or former director or officer of either of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (including as a fiduciary of any employee benefit plan), or inclusion as a beneficiary of any insurance policy related to Employee’s service in such capacity.
10.  Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by Employee and an authorized representative of the Company. 

11.  Waiver. No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be an estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the Party charged with such waiver or estoppel. 
12.  Notices. Except as otherwise stated herein, for purposes of this Agreement, all notices or other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective on receipt and given in person and/or by United States Certified Mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid (with evidence of receipt by the Party to whom the notice is given), addressed as follows:

To the Company: 
Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc. 
Attn:  Chief Human Resources Officer
10943 North Sam Houston Parkway West
Houston, Texas 77064 

To Employee: 
At his address most recently contained in the Company’s records

Either Party may designate a different address by providing written notice to the other Party. 

13.  Severability and Interpretation. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or part, such invalidity will not affect any other provision, and all other provisions will remain in full force and effect.  The fact that counsel for any one of the Parties drafted this Agreement shall not be material to the construction of this Agreement.
14.  Counterparts and Titles. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one document. The titles and headings preceding the text of the paragraphs and subparagraphs of this Agreement (including Exhibits) have been inserted solely for convenience of reference and do not constitute a part of this Agreement or affect its meaning, interpretation or effect. 
15.  Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of law principles of the State of Texas or the conflict of law principles of any other jurisdiction which would cause the application of any law other than those of the State of Texas to apply. The Parties consent and agree to submit to personal jurisdiction in the State of Texas and agree that the exclusive venue for any disputes, lawsuits, actions and/or proceedings arising from or related in any way to this Agreement or Employee’s employment is in the state and/or federal courts in Houston, Harris County, Texas.
16.  Indemnification.  Section 28 of the Employment Agreement and Employee’s indemnification agreement entered into with the Company, dated November 24, 2014 (the “Indemnification Agreement”) shall survive the termination of Employee’s employment and remain in force and effect. 
17. No Admission of Liability. Employee acknowledges, by entering into this Agreement, that the Parties do not admit to the violation of any employment or labor law or any unlawful or tortious conduct or any other wrongdoing of any kind in connection with Employee or his employment.  
18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, those provisions intended to survive termination of the Employment Agreement as set forth in Section 14 of the Employment Agreement, the Equity Documents, 

and the Indemnification Agreement referenced in Section 28 of the Employment Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, representations, negotiations, discussions or arrangements, either oral or written.  For the avoidance of doubt, the restrictive covenants contained in the Employment Agreement and the same contained in the Equity Documents shall remain binding on Employee and in full force and effect according to their terms following execution of this Agreement.  None of the Parties have relied on any statements or representations that have been made by any other Party that are not set forth in this Agreement, and no Party is entitled to rely on any representation, agreement or obligation to disclose information that is not expressly stated in this Agreement.  
19. Section 409A.
a.If Employee is deemed to be a “specified employee,” as such term is defined in Section 409A and determined as described below in this sub-paragraph, and if any portion of the Base Severance Payment or CIC Severance Payment is subject to Section 409A, the character and timing of the payment thereof shall be determined pursuant to this subparagraph.  It is hereby specified that as much of the Base Severance Payment or CIC Severance Payment as can be paid without the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) and Treas. Reg. §1.409A01(i) shall be paid at times consistent with Section 5.b or Section 5.c of the Employment Agreement as applicable without application of this paragraph.  The remaining portion of the Base Severance Payment or the CIC Severance Payment shall not be payable before the earlier of (i) the date that is six months after Employee’s termination, (ii) the date of Employee’s death, or (iii) one or more dates that otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 409A.  Employee shall be a “specified employee” for the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of a year if Employee is a “key employee” as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code (without regard to Section 416(i)(5)) as of December 31 of the preceding year or using such dates as designated by the Compensation Committee in accordance with Section 409A and in a manner that is consistent with respect to all of the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plans.  For purposes of determining the identity of specified employees, the Compensation Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate in accordance with Section 409A. 
b.The intent of the Parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A and any ambiguous provision will be construed in a manner that is compliant with or exempt from the application of Section 409A.  Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, it is intended that the COBRA Premium Payment and the Pro Rata Bonus shall be “short-term deferrals” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(4) that are exempt from Section 409A.  For purposes of Section 409A, each installment in a series of installment payments is intended to be a separate payment.  Any taxes or penalties assessed on Employee under Section 409A shall be the sole responsibility of Employee.
c.A termination of employment will not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms will mean a “separation from service.”
20. Third Party Beneficiaries and Binding Effect.  Each of the Releasees who are not signatories to this Agreement are hereby agreed to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and shall be entitled to all rights, benefits, and protections of this Agreement, and shall further be entitled to enforce this Agreement and each of its terms.  This Agreement shall be binding on the Parties hereto, together with their respective executors, administrators, successors, personal representatives, heirs, and assigns.
21. Payment to Estate. If Employee dies prior to full satisfaction of the obligations owed under the Employment Agreement as incorporated herein, any monies that may be due Employee as of the date of Employee’s death will be paid to Employee’s estate.

22. California Residents/Workers Only. Employee expressly waives any and all rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California and any like provision or principle of common law in any foreign jurisdiction.  Section 1542 provides as follows:

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”

With full awareness and understanding of the above provision and for the purpose of implementing the general release of any and all claims as contemplated in the Employment Agreement, but subject to the Limitation of Release exceptions set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement, Employee hereby waives any rights he may have under Section 1542, as well as under any other statutes or common law principles of similar effect and expressly releases the Company and Releasees from claims which he does not presently know or suspect to exist at this time.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

Each signatory to this AGREEMENT has entered into this separation agreement and Release of Claims KNOWINGLY, voluntarily, freely and without duress after having consulted with an attorney or advisor of THEIR choice. EACH SIGNATORY AGREES THAT THEY HAVE FULLY READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT (including exhibits) and have had a full and fair opportunity to ask any questions they have about the agreement.

EMPLOYEE:  Donald R. Riley

By:  /s/ Donald R. Riley                                                        

Date:  March 15, 2020                                                              

CORNERSTONE BUILDING BRANDS, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES AND RELATED ENTITIES (INCLUDING THE ENTITIES KNOWN AS NCI GROUP, INC., NCI BUILDING SYSTEMS, INC., PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC., AND EMPLOYEE’S HIRING ENTITY)
By:  /s/ Todd R. Moore                                                           

Printed Name:  Todd R. Moore                                               

Title:  Executive Vice President and Chief Legal, Risk, and 
          Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary               

Date: March 15, 2020                                                                 

EXHIBIT A

												
	Award Type (Award Number)	Award Date	Vested Shares (Accelerating or Currently Vested Pursuant to Equity Documents)	Unvested Shares Subject to Forfeiture
	NQSO  (8155720)	11/16/2018	40,997 (Vested on 11/16/2019, Unexercised as of the date of the Agreement)	163,991 	 
	RS  (5472333)	7/1/2017	7,685 	 	N/A
	RS  (5724387)	12/15/2017	16,862 	 	N/A
	RSPERF  (5724375)	12/15/2017	59,511 	 	N/A
	RS  (6083544)	11/16/2018	20,498 (Vested on 11/16/2019)	81,995 	 
	RSPERF  (6083548)	11/16/2018	N/A	51,246 	 

EXHIBIT B

Payment Schedule

									
	Payment Date	Payment Amount	Description
	On or Before April 15, 2020	$                       2,800,000.00 	Accelerated Base and CIC Severance Payments
	On or Before April 15, 2020	$                        32,303.86	COBRA Premium Payment
	6/2021	$                         12,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments
	7/2021	$                       187,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments
	8/2021	$                       187,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments
	9/2021	$                       187,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments
	10/2021	$                       187,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments
	11/2021	$                       187,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments
	12/2021	$                       187,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments
	1/2022	$                       187,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments
	2/2022	$                       187,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments
	3/2022	$                       187,500.00 	Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments

*  All Installment Base and CIC Severance Payments starting in June 2021 shall be made on the first practicable payroll date after the first of the month.

** The amount of the Pro Rata Annual Bonus is not currently known but will be paid on the same payroll date the annual bonus is paid to other participants in the Annual Bonus Plan, on or before March 15, 2021.

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00306-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00306-of-00352.parquet"}]]