Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.17

STI Award Agreement – STI Award
(Leadership)

[Black Stone Letterhead]
[DATE]
By [delivery method]

Dear [EMPLOYEE],
Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “General Partner”) is pleased to inform you that you are eligible to earn a short-term incentive award (the “STI Award”) on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), which is incorporated herein by reference.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.
	
		
	Target STI Award:
	$[●] (the “Target Amount”)

	Performance Period:
	January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018

A.    Earning of STI Award
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan, the STI Award shall become earned in the manner set forth below so long as you remain continuously employed by Black Stone Natural Resources Management Company, the General Partner, Black Stone Minerals, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), or any of their respective Affiliates (the “Employer”) from the date hereof through the end of the Performance Period.  The extent to which the STI Award becomes earned will be determined based on the Partnership’s EBITDAX (as defined below) for the Performance Period determined in accordance with the following table (the “Performance Goals”); provided, however, that notwithstanding any provision herein, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, reduce or increase the amount of the STI Award that actually becomes earned and payable based on individual or team performance during the Performance Period. Following the end of the Performance Period, the Committee will determine the level of achievement of the Performance Goals for the Performance Period.  The amount of the STI Award, if any, that actually becomes earned for the Performance Period will be determined by the Committee (and any portion of the STI Award that does not become so earned shall be automatically forfeited).  

	
					
	 
	Below Threshold
	

Threshold
	

Target
	

Maximum

	Partnership’s EBITDAX for the Performance Period
	˂ $[●]
	$[●]
	$[●]
	≥$[●]

	Percentage of Target Amount that is Earned*
	0%
	50%
	100%
	200%

*If the Partnership’s EBITDAX for the Performance Period is between the amount in the Threshold and Target columns set forth in the first row of the table above, then the percentage of the Target Amount that is earned shall be determined by linear interpolation between Threshold (50%) and Target (100%) based on the Partnership’s EBITDAX for the Performance Period.  If the Partnership’s EBITDAX for the Performance Period is between the amount in the Target and Maximum columns set forth in the first row of the table above, then the percentage of the Target Amount that is earned shall be determined by linear interpolation between Target (100%) and Maximum (200%) based on the Partnership’s EBITDAX for the Performance Period.  Each percentage of the Target Amount that is earned as determined by linear interpolation shall be rounded to four decimal places.
As used herein, the term “EBITDAX” means net income or net loss for the Performance Period, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, plus the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted therefrom: interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairments and other noncash charges, exploration expenses, delay rental expenses, dry hole expenses, gains/losses on sales of assets, and certain adjustments as determined by the Committee.
B.    Termination of Employment 
In the event of a termination of your employment prior to the end of the Performance Period (i) by the Employer without Cause (as defined below), (ii) as a result of your resignation for Good Reason (as defined below), or (iii) as a result of your death or Disability (as defined below), then, subject to your execution of, and non-revocation of, a release in a form acceptable to the General Partner (which release will be provided to you within seven days following the termination of your employment), a portion of the unearned STI Award equal to the Target Amount multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days you were employed by the Employer during the Performance Period and the denominator of which is the number of days in the Performance Period shall become earned as of the date on which the Committee makes the determination of the level of achievement of the Performance Goals, as described under “Earning of STI Award” above. 
As used herein “Cause” has the meaning assigned to such term in your severance agreement with the General Partner or one of its Affiliates; provided, however, that if you do not have a severance agreement with the General Partner or one of its Affiliates or if such agreement does not define the term “Cause,” then “Cause” means a determination by two-thirds of the Board that you: (i) willfully and continually failed to substantially perform your duties to the Partnership and its Affiliates (other than a failure resulting from your Disability); (ii) willfully engaged in conduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Partnership, the General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates, monetarily or otherwise; (iii) have been convicted of, or has plead guilty or nolo contendere to, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a felony; (iv) have committed an act of fraud, or material 

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embezzlement or material theft, in each case, in the course of you employment relationship with the Employer or one of its Affiliates, or (v) have materially breached any of your obligations under any written agreement (including any non-compete, non-solicitation or confidentiality covenants) entered into between you and the Partnership, the General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except for a failure, breach or refusal that, by its nature, cannot reasonably be expected to be cured, you shall have 30 days following the delivery of written notice by the Employer or one of its Affiliates within which to cure any actions or omissions described in clauses (i), (ii), (iv) or (v) constituting Cause; provided, however, that, if the Employer reasonably expects irreparable injury from a delay of 30 days, the Employer or one of its Affiliates may give you notice of such shorter period within which to cure as is reasonable under the circumstances, which may include the termination of you employment without notice and with immediate effect.
As used herein, “Disability” means your incapacity, due to accident, sickness or another circumstance that renders you unable to perform the essential functions of your job function, after accounting for reasonable accommodation, for a period of at least 90 consecutive days or 120 days in any 12-month period.
As used herein, “Good Reason” has the meaning assigned to such term in your severance agreement with the General Partner or one of its Affiliates; provided, however, that if you do not have a severance agreement with the General Partner or one of its Affiliates or if such agreement does not define the term “Good Reason,” then “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events without your written consent: (i) a reduction in your total compensation other than a general reduction in compensation that affects all similarly situated employees in substantially the same proportions; (ii) a relocation of your principal place of employment by more than 50 miles from the location of your principal place of employment as of the date hereof; (iii) any material breach by the Partnership or the General Partner of any material provision of this letter; (iv) a material, adverse change in your title, authority, duties or responsibilities (other than due to a Disability); (v) a material adverse change in the reporting structure applicable to you; or (vi) following a Change of Control, either (x) a failure of the General Partner or one of its Affiliates to continue in effect any benefit plan or compensation arrangement in which you were participating immediately prior to such Change of Control or (y) the taking of any action by the General Partner or one of its Affiliates that adversely affects your participation in, or materially reduces your benefits or compensation under, any such benefit plan or compensation arrangement, unless, in the case of either clause (x) or (y), there is substituted a comparable benefit plan or compensation arrangement that is at least economically equivalent to the benefit plan or compensation arrangement being terminated or in which your participation is being adversely affected or your benefits or compensation are being materially reduced. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition or any other provision of the Agreement to the contrary, any assertion by you of a termination for Good Reason shall not be effective unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (A) you must provide written notice to the General Partner of the existence of the condition(s) providing grounds for termination for Good Reason within 30 days of the initial existence of such grounds; (B) the condition(s) specified in such notice must remain uncorrected for 30 days following the General Partner’s receipt of such written notice; and (C) the date of your termination of employment must occur within 60 days after the initial existence of the condition(s) specified in such notice.

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C.    Settlement
As soon as administratively practicable following the Committee’s determination of the level of achievement of the Performance Goals for the Performance Period, but in no event later than March 15 following the end of the Performance Period, the General Partner shall pay or cause to be paid to you a lump-sum cash amount equal to the portion of the STI Award that becomes earned based on the level of achievement of the Performance Goals as determined by the Committee, less any applicable tax withholding.
If you have any questions regarding your STI Award please contact [Kristin Wiggs at (713) 445-3241].

Sincerely,

BLACK STONE MINERALS GP, L.L.C.

By:                            
Name:    Steve Putman
		
	Title:
	Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

4Exhibit

Exhibit 4.9

AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
WINDSTREAM 401(k) PLAN
(January 1, 2015 Restatement)

WHEREAS, Windstream Services, LLC (the "Company") maintains the Windstream 401(k) Plan, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2015, as amended (the “Plan”); and

WHEREAS, the Company reserves the right to amend the Plan;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Company hereby amends the Plan in the respects hereinafter set forth:

1.    Effective as of January 1, 2017, Section 12.01 of the Plan is amended to provide as follows:

Effective as of the date he becomes a Participant, or the beginning of any subsequent payroll period, each Participant may elect, in the manner and with such advance notice period as the Plan Administrator shall prescribe (including elections with automatic enrollment and automatic increases if and as prescribed by the Plan Administrator), to have Salary Deferral Contributions made to the Plan on his behalf by his Employer as hereinafter provided. A Participant's election shall include his authorization for his Employer to reduce his Compensation and to make Salary Deferral Contributions on his behalf and his election as to the investment of his contributions in accordance with Article XI.  Salary Deferral Contributions on behalf of a Participant shall commence as soon as practicable after the date on which his election is effective.

A Participant may specify in accordance with rules and procedures prescribed by the Committee that all or a portion of the Salary Deferral Contributions be treated as Roth contributions under Section 402A of the Code. A Separate Account or Sub-Account shall be established for amounts specified as Roth contributions.

For purposes of clarity, the following automatic enrollment provisions shall apply to employees hired on and after November 1, 2016 into a position covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Windstream Nebraska, Inc., Windstream Systems of the Midwest, Inc. and CWA Local 7470 (the “Nebraska CBA”) and to employees covered by the Nebraska CBA whose active participation in the Windstream Pension Plan is ended (frozen) as of September 16, 2017 or December 31, 2018, respectively:

Within a reasonable period of the date a Participant becomes eligible for automatic enrollment (i.e., the Participant’s hire date or the September 16, 2017 or December 31, 2018 freeze date applicable to the Participant), the Plan Administrator shall provide the Participant with a notice explaining the automatic reduction in his Compensation of 2% for purposes of making Salary Deferral Contributions to the Plan and the Participant’s right to affirmatively elect either a different reduction amount or no reduction.  For purposes of clarity, the automatic enrollment of two percent (2%) shall not apply to any Participant who is already contributing at a rate of more than two percent (2%) as of the September 16, 2017 or December 31, 2018 freeze date applicable to the Participant.  The notice shall describe the procedures for making an affirmative election and the period in which such an election may be made.

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Section, including for Participants who make an affirmative election to make Salary Deferral Contributions, the Employer shall commence Salary Deferral Contributions on behalf of each Participant who is subject to automatic enrollment as soon as reasonably practicable following the “notice period” in an amount equal to two percent (2%) of the Participant’s Compensation.  For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the "notice period" is the 30-day period or such other period prescribed by the Plan Administrator beginning on the day the Participant is provided the notice described above.

2.    Effective as of January 1, 2017, paragraph (e) of Appendix A to the Plan is amended to provide as follows:

Nebraska. Subject to the terms of the applicable collective bargaining agreement, as amended from time to time, Windstream Nebraska, Inc. or Windstream Systems of the Midwest, Inc., as applicable, shall make on behalf of each Participant who is an employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Windstream Nebraska, Inc., Windstream Systems of the Midwest, Inc. and CWA Local 7470 (the “Nebraska CBA”), is not eligible to participate in the Windstream Pension Plan (as provided below), and is otherwise eligible (as defined below), a Supplemental Employer Matching Contribution on behalf of any such eligible Participant in an amount equal to:

(A)    100% of the first 3% of the Participant’s Compensation that he contributes to the Plan as Salary Deferral Contributions for the Plan Year, plus

(B)    50% of the next 2% of the Participant’s Compensation that he contributes to the Plan as Salary Deferral Contributions for the Plan Year.

As soon as administratively practicable following the end of the Plan Year, Supplemental Employer Matching Contributions shall be made by the Employer and allocated to each Participant who is eligible to receive Supplemental Employer Matching Contributions. A person is eligible to receive Supplemental Employer Matching Contributions for a Plan Year only if he is employed as an Eligible Employee (i.e., in a position covered by the Nebraska CBA) on the last day of the Plan Year or if the person died, retired or became disabled while employed as an Eligible Employee (in a position covered by the Nebraska CBA) during the Plan Year.  A person is eligible to receive Supplemental Employer Matching Contributions only with respect to the Participant’s Compensation and Salary Deferral Contributions for the portion of the Plan Year that is attributable to the period when the Participant was both an Eligible Employee (i.e., in a position covered by the Nebraska CBA) and not eligible to participate in the Windstream Pension Plan.  For purposes of this paragraph, (i) “retired” means termination of employment on or after age 65 or when eligible for “early retirement” under Appendix MM of Section 13.37 of the Windstream Pension Plan and (b) “disabled” means disabled under the Company’s long-term disability plan.

A person is not eligible to participate in the Windstream Pension Plan (i) if he is hired after October 31, 2013 and prior to October 16, 2016 and irrevocably elected not to participate in the Windstream Pension Plan in accordance with such rules and procedures prescribed by the Plan Administrator, (ii) if he is transferred into employment covered by the Nebraska CBA on or after October 31, 2013 and prior to October 16, 2016 and irrevocably elected not to participate in this Appendix MM in accordance with such rules and procedures prescribed by the Plan Administrator, (iii) if he is hired on or after October 16, 2016, (iv) if he is transferred into employment covered by the Nebraska CBA on or after October 16, 2016, (v) if he is hired on or before October 31, 2013 and irrevocably elected during the first quarter of 2014 not to continue to 

participate in the Windstream Pension Plan in accordance with such rules and procedures prescribed by the Plan Administrator, (vi) if he is hired on or before October 31, 2013 and irrevocably elected during 2017 not to continue to participate in the Windstream Pension Plan in accordance with such rules and procedures as prescribed by the Plan Administrator, or (vii) for employment in a position covered by the Nebraska CBA on or after January 1, 2019.

If an Employee (i) is both an “Eligible Employee” under the Windstream Pension Plan and covered by the Nebraska CBA on September 16, 2017, and (ii) elects to opt-out of participation in the Windstream Pension Plan pursuant to the 2017 transition choice program effective September 16, 2017, the Employee shall have a $10,000 Nonelective Employer Contribution made to this Separate Account on or before December 31, 2017.

If an Employee (i) is both an “Eligible Employee” under the Windstream Pension Plan and covered by the Nebraska CBA on December 31, 2018, and (ii) his active participation in the Windstream Pension Plan is ended (frozen) on December 31, 2018, the Employee shall have a $10,000 Nonelective Employer Contribution made to this Separate Account on or before March 31, 2019.  For purposes of clarity, the $10,000 Nonelective Employer Contribution is an annual addition of the 2018 limitation year for purposes of Section 7.05.

See Section 12.01 for provisions regarding automatic enrollment of Employees covered by the Nebraska CBA.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, by its duly authorized representative, has caused this Amendment No. 3 to the Windstream 401(k) Plan (January 1, 2015 Restatement) to be executed on this 7th day of June, 2017.

                    	
		
	WINDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC

	 
	 

	By:
	/s/ Mary Michaels    

	 
	Title:  Member of the Benefits Committee

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