Document:

esph_ex105.htm

Exhibit 10.5

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT

ANNUAL GRANT

 

This Restricted Stock Agreement (this “Agreement”) entered into as of July 1, 2010 (the “Grant Date”), sets forth the terms and conditions of an award (this “Award”) of restricted stock granted by Ecosphere Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), to _Schedule A_ (the “Recipient”).  This Agreement is subject to the terms of, and is made under, the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is incorporated into this Agreement by reference.

WHEREAS, the Company is of the opinion that its interests will be advanced by granting the Recipient a proprietary interest in it, thus providing the Recipient with a more direct stake in its welfare and creating a closer relationship between the Recipient’s interests and those of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of services rendered to the Company by the Recipient and the services and other conditions required hereunder, the Company hereby grants this award to the Recipient on the terms expressed herein.

 

1.             Award.  As of the date of this Agreement, the Recipient has been granted _Schedule A_ shares of restricted common stock (“Restricted Stock”) pursuant to the Plan.  All certificates issued shall contain an appropriate restrictive legend.

 

2.             Vesting.  The Restricted Stock shall vest one year from the Grant Date as long as the Recipient remains a director, committee member, or Chairman of the Board on the vesting date.  In lieu of fractional vesting, the shares shall be rounded up each time until fractional shares are eliminated.  The Restricted Stock shall be unregistered unless the Company voluntarily files a registration statement covering such shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

3.             Forfeiture.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, at the option of the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, all shares of Restricted Stock subject to this Agreement shall be immediately forfeited in the event of the Recipient:

 

(a)           Purchasing or selling securities of the Company without written authorization in accordance with the Company’s inside information guidelines then in effect;

(b)           Breaching any duty of confidentiality including that required by the Company’s inside information guidelines then in effect;

(c)           Competing with the Company; or

(d)           Recruiting Company personnel after ceasing to be a director.

  

1

  

 

(i)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the Recipient ceases to act in the capacity as described in Section 2 prior to the date that all of the shares of Restricted Stock are vested, the Recipient shall automatically forfeit to the Company all unvested shares.  Shares that are not vested are referred to herein as unvested shares or unvested Restricted Stock.

4.             Anti-Dilution Provisions.  The Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall be subject to the Plan, including its anti-dilution provisions.

5.             Profits on the Sale of Certain Shares; Cancellation.  If any of the events specified in Section 3 of this Agreement occur within one year from the last day as service as a director (the “Termination Date”), all profits earned from the Recipient’s sale of the Company’s Restricted Stock during the two-year period commencing one year prior to the Termination Date shall be forfeited and forthwith paid by the Recipient to the Company.  Further, in such event, the Company may at its option cancel the shares of Restricted Stock granted under this Agreement.  The Company’s rights under this Section 5 do not lapse one year from the Termination Date but are a contract right subject to any appropriate statutory limitation period.

6.              Stop-Transfer Notices.  The Recipient agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate stop transfer instructions to its stock transfer agent.

 

7.            Refusal to Transfer.  The Company shall not be required to transfer on its books any of the Restricted Stock that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or to treat as owner of such Restricted Stock or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Restricted Stock shall have been so transferred.

 

8.             Tax Withholding.  The Recipient acknowledges and agrees that the Company may require the Recipient to pay, or may withhold from sums owed by the Company to the Recipient, any amount that the Company, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to comply with any federal, state or local withholding requirements for income and employment tax purposes.  The failure to pay the required taxes to the Company within 10 days after written request shall permit the Company to decline to remove the restrictive legend on the stock certificate.

 

9.              Section 83(b) Election.  The Recipient hereby acknowledges that he or she may file a Section 83(b) election with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the date hereof, electing thereby to be taxed on the fair market value of the Restricted Stock as of the date hereof. Absent such an election, ordinary income will be measured and recognized by the Recipient as the shares vest (that is, each year on the anniversary of the date hereof).  If the Recipient makes a Section 83(b) election and later forfeits any unvested Restricted Stock upon termination of service to the Company, the Recipient could suffer adverse tax consequences.  The Recipient is strongly encouraged to seek the advice of his or her own tax consultants in connection with the grant of the Restricted Stock and the advisability of filing of an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  

2

  

 

	
  

	
THE RECIPIENT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS HIS OR HER SOLE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE COMPANY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO FILE THE ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b), EVEN IF THE RECIPIENT REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO MAKE THIS FILING ON THE RECIPIENT’S BEHALF.

 

10.           No Guarantee of Continued Service.  The Recipient acknowledges and agrees that the Restricted Stock shall vest only through continued service to the Company as a director, at the will of the Company, and as otherwise provided in this Agreement.  The Recipient further acknowledges and agrees that neither this Agreement nor the vesting schedule set forth herein constitute an express or implied promise of continued employment, service or engagement by the Company and shall not interfere with the Company’s or the Recipient’s right to terminate the Recipient’s relationship with the Company at any time, with or without cause.

 

11.           Notices and Addresses.  All notices, offers, acceptance and any other acts under this  Agreement (except payment) shall be in writing, and shall be sufficiently given if delivered to the addressees in person, by FedEx or similar overnight next business day delivery, or by facsimile delivery followed by overnight next day delivery, as follows:

 

	The Recipient:	
___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Facsimile: ___________________

	 	 
	The Company:   	Adrian Goldfarb 

Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.

3515 S.E. Lionel Terrace

Stuart, Florida  34997

Facsimile:  (772) 781-4778

	 	 
	with a copy to:  	Michael D. Harris, Esq. 

Harris Cramer LLP

1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 310

West Palm Beach, FL  33401

Facsimile:  (561) 659-0701

 

or to such other address as either of them, by notice to the other may designate from time to time.  The transmission confirmation receipt from the sender’s facsimile machine shall be evidence of successful facsimile delivery.  Time shall be counted to, or from, as the case may be, the delivery in person or by mailing.

  

3

  

12.           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  The execution of this Agreement may be by actual or facsimile signature.

13.           Attorney’s Fees.  In the event that there is any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or to the interpretation, breach or enforcement thereof, and any action or proceeding that is commenced to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses (including such fees and costs on appeal).

14.           Severability.  If any term or condition of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent or in any application, then the remainder of this Agreement, and such term or condition except to such extent or in such application, shall not be affected hereby and each and every term and condition of this Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent and in the broadest application permitted by law.

15.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings, representations (if any), and agreements made by and between the parties.  Each party specifically acknowledges, represents and warrants that they have not been induced to sign this Agreement.

 

                16.            Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

                17.            Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for the purpose of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

[Signature Page To Follow]

 

  

4

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date aforesaid.

 

	 	ECOSPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.	 
	 	 	 	 
	
______________________________

	
By: 

	/s/ 	 
	 	 	Name: Adrian Goldfarb, 	 
	 	 	Title: Chief Financial Officer	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	RECIPIENT	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 ______________________________	 ______________________________	 
	 	 	 	 

 

  

5

  

Schedule A to Restricted Stock Agreement

Stephen Keating

Shares – 32,258

Charles Vinick

Shares – 40,323

Joe Allbaugh

Shares - 28,226

Gene Davis

Shares – 32,258

 

 

 

6esph_ex106.htm

Exhibit 10.6

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

ANNUAL GRANT

THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) entered into as of July 1, 2010 (the “Grant Date”) between Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) and _Schedule A_ (the “Optionee”).

WHEREAS, by action taken by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) it has adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, it has been determined that in order to enhance the ability of the Company to attract and retain qualified employees, consultants, directors, director advisors, and Board committee members, the Company has granted the Optionee the right to purchase the common stock of the Company pursuant to stock options.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.           Grant of Non-Qualified Options.  The Company irrevocably granted to the Optionee, as a matter of separate agreement and not in lieu of salary or other compensation for services, the right and option to purchase all or any part of _Schedule A_ shares of authorized but unissued or treasury common stock of the Company (the “Options”) on the terms and conditions herein set forth.  Of the Options: _ Schedule A _ options were granted for service as a director and _ Schedule A _ options were granted for service on a committee. This Agreement replaces any stock option agreement previously provided to the Optionee, if any, with respect to these Options.

2.           Price.  The exercise price of the Options is $1.24 per share.

3.           Vesting - When Exercisable.

(a)           The Options shall vest one year from the Grant Date, subject to the Optionee’s continued service in the capacity for which the Options were granted on the vesting date.  Any fractional vesting shall be rounded up to the extent necessary.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Options shall vest immediately on the occurrence of a Change of Control as defined under the Plan. Additionally, all Options shall vest immediately on the date the Company publicly announces, by press release, by disclosure in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise (the “Public Announcement”), its intention to sell substantially all of the Company’s assets or to enter into a merger or consolidation as described in clauses (ii) and (iii) under the definition of Change of Control in the Plan.  If the Optionee exercises the Options within 10 calendar days from the date of the Public Announcement, the Optionee shall be deemed a record holder of the shares underlying the Options as of the record date of the Change of Control.

 

  

1

  

(b)           Subject to Sections 3(c) and 4 of this Agreement, the Options may be exercised prior to vesting and remain exercisable until 6:00 p.m. New York time for five years from the Grant Date (the “Expiration Date”).

(c)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, at the option of the Board, all Options, whether vested or unvested shall be immediately forfeited in the event of:

 

(1)           The Optionee purchases or sells securities of the Company not in accordance with the Company’s inside information guidelines then in effect;

 

(2)           The Optionee breaches any duty of confidentiality including that required by the Company’s inside information guidelines then in effect;

 

(3)           The Optionee competes with the Company; or

 

(4)           The Optionee recruits Company personnel for another entity after ceasing to perform services for the Company.

4.           Termination of Relationship.

(a)           If for any reason, except death or disability as provided below, the Optionee ceases performing services for the Company in the capacity for which the Options were granted, all rights granted hereunder shall terminate effective three months from that date.

(b)           If the Optionee shall die while performing services for the Company in the capacity for which the Options were granted, the Optionee’s estate or any Transferee, as defined herein, shall have the right within one year from the date of the Optionee’s death to exercise the Optionee’s vested Options subject to Section 3(c).  For the purpose of this Agreement, “Transferee” shall mean a person to whom such shares are transferred by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

(c)           If the Optionee becomes disabled within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, while performing services for the Company in the capacity for which the Options were granted, all rights granted hereunder shall terminate effective one year from that date.

(d)           Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 4, the Options may not be exercised after the Expiration Date.

5.           Profits on the Sale of Certain Shares; Redemption.  If any of the events specified in Section 3(c) of this Agreement occur within one year from the last date the Optionee performs services for the Company in the capacity for which the Options were granted (the “Termination Date”), all profits earned from the sale of the Company’s securities, including the sale of shares of common stock underlying the Options, during the two-year period commencing one year prior to the Termination Date shall be forfeited and forthwith paid by the Optionee to the Company.  Further, in such event, the Company may at its option redeem shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of the Options by payment of the exercise price to the Optionee.  The Company’s rights under this Section 5 do not lapse one year from the Termination Date but are a contract right subject to any appropriate statutory limitation period.

 

  

2

  

6.           Method of Exercise.  The Options shall be exercisable by a written notice which shall:

(a)           state the election to exercise the Options, the number of shares to be exercised, the person in whose name the stock certificate or certificates for such shares of common stock is to be registered, address and social security number of such person (or if more than one, the names, addresses and social security numbers of such persons);

(b)           if applicable, contain such representations and agreements as to the holder’s investment intent with respect to such shares of common stock as set forth in Section 11 hereof;

(c)           be signed by the person or persons entitled to exercise the Options and, if the Options are being exercised by any person or persons other than the Optionee, be accompanied by proof, satisfactory to counsel for the Company, of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Options;

(d)           be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price in United States dollars in cash or by check.

(e)           be accompanied by payment of any amount that the Company, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to comply with any federal, state or local withholding requirements for income and employment tax purposes.  If the Optionee fails to make such payment in a timely manner, the Company may: (i) decline to permit exercise of the Options or (ii) withhold and set-off against compensation and any other amounts payable to the Optionee the amount of such required payment. Such withholding may be in the shares underlying the Options at the sole discretion of the Company.

The certificate or certificates for shares of common stock as to which the Options shall be exercised shall be registered in the name of the person or persons exercising the Options.

7.           Sale of Shares Acquired Upon Exercise of Options.  If the Optionee is an officer (as defined by Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Section 16(b)”)) or a director of the Company, any shares of the Company’s common stock acquired pursuant to the Options cannot be sold by the Optionee until at least six months elapse from the Grant Date except in case of death or disability or if the grant was exempt from the short-swing profit provisions of Section 16(b).

8.           Anti-Dilution Provisions.  The Options granted hereunder shall have the anti-dilution rights set forth in the Plan.

9.           Necessity to Become Holder of Record.  Neither the Optionee, the Optionee’s estate, nor any Transferee shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares underlying the Options until such person shall have become the holder of record of such shares.  No dividends or cash distributions, ordinary or extraordinary, shall be provided to the holder if the record date is prior to the date on which such person became the holder of record thereof.

 

  

3

  

10.         Reservation of Right to Terminate Relationship.  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall restrict the right of the Company to terminate the relationship of the Optionee at any time, with or without cause.  The termination of the relationship of the Optionee by the Company, regardless of the reason therefor, shall have the results provided for in Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement.

11.         Conditions to Exercise of Options.  In order to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and relevant state law, the Company may require the Optionee, the Optionee’s estate, or any Transferee as a condition of the exercising of the Options granted hereunder, to give written assurance satisfactory to the Company that the shares underlying the Options are being acquired for such person’s own account, for investment only, with no view to the distribution of same, and that any subsequent resale of any such shares either shall be made pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act and applicable state law which has become effective and is current with regard to the shares being sold, or shall be pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state law.

The Options are subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Board shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, or qualification of the shares of common stock underlying the Options upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with the issue or purchase of shares underlying the Options, the Options may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected.

12.         Transfer.  No transfer of the Options by the Optionee by will or by the laws of descent and distribution shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Company shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and a copy of the letters testamentary or such other evidence as the Board may deem necessary to establish the authority of the estate and the acceptance by the Transferee or Transferees of the terms and conditions of the Options.

13.         Duties of Company.  The Company will at all times during the term of the Options:

(a)           Reserve and keep available for issue such number of shares of its authorized and unissued common stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement;

(b)           Pay all original issue taxes with respect to the issue of shares pursuant hereto and all other fees and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection therewith;

(c)           Use its best efforts to comply with all laws and regulations which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, shall be applicable thereto.

 

  

4

  

14.         Parties Bound by Plan.  The Plan and each determination, interpretation or other action made or taken pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and shall be binding and conclusive for all purposes on the Company and the Optionee and the Optionee’s respective successors in interest.

15.         Severability.  In the event any parts of this Agreement are found to be void, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless be binding with the same effect as though the void parts were deleted.

16.         Arbitration.  Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or its interpretation, application, implementation, breach or enforcement which the parties are unable to resolve by mutual agreement, shall be settled by submission by either party of the controversy, claim or dispute to binding arbitration in Martin County, Florida (unless the parties agree in writing to a different location), before a single arbitrator in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect.  The decision and award made by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive on all parties hereto for all purposes, and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

17.         Benefit.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their legal representatives, successors and assigns.

18.         Notices and Addresses.  All notices, offers, acceptance and any other acts under this Agreement (except payment) shall be in writing, and shall be sufficiently given if delivered to the addressees in person, by FedEx or similar receipted delivery, or by facsimile delivery as follows:

 

	The Optionee: 	 	
______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

	 	 	 
	The Company:  	 	Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. 

3515 S.E. Lionel Terrace

Stuart, Florida 34997

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Facsimile: (772) 781 -4778

	 	 	 
	with a copy to:	 	Michael D. Harris, Esq. 

Harris Cramer LLP

1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 310

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Facsimile:  (561) 659-0701

 

or to such other address as either of them, by notice to the other may designate from time to time.  The transmission confirmation receipt from the sender’s facsimile machine shall be evidence of successful facsimile delivery.  Time shall be counted to, or from, as the case may be, the delivery in person or by mailing.

 

  

5

  

19.         Attorney’s Fees.  In the event that there is any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or to the interpretation, breach or enforcement thereof, and any action or proceeding is commenced to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to a reasonable attorney’s fee, costs and expenses.

20.         Governing Law.  This Agreement and any dispute, disagreement, or issue of construction or interpretation arising hereunder whether relating to its execution, its validity, the obligations provided herein or performance shall be governed or interpreted according to the laws of the State of Florida without regard to choice of law considerations.

21.         Oral Evidence.  This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, except by a statement in writing signed by the party or parties against which enforcement or the change, waiver discharge or termination is sought.

22.         Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  The execution of this Agreement may be by actual or facsimile signature.

23.         Section or Paragraph Headings.  Section headings herein have been inserted for reference only and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect, in any matter, or be deemed to interpret in whole or in part any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

24.         Stop-Transfer Orders.

(a)           The Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its duly authorized transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

(b)           The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any shares of the Company’s common stock that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of the Plan or the Agreement or (ii) to treat the owner of such shares of common stock or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such shares of common stock shall have been so transferred.

[Signature Page To Follow]

 

  

6

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have set their hand and seals the day and year first above written.

 

	WITNESSES:	 	Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
	 	 	 
	 ______________________________	By:   	 /s/______________________________
	 	 	Adrian Goldfarb 

Chief Financial Officer

	 	 	 
	 	 	OPTIONEE:
	 	 	 
	 ______________________________	 	
 ______________________________

______________________________

 

  

7

  

 

Schedule A to Stock Option Agreement

 

Charles Vinick

Total Options: 40,323

Chairman/Director Options: 32,258

Compensation Committee Options: 8,065

Stephen Keating

Total Options: 32,258

Director Options: 20,161

Audit Committee Options: 12,097

Joe Allbaugh

Total Options: 28,226

Director Options: 20,161

Audit Committee Options: 8,065

Gene Davis

Total Options: 32,258

Director Options: 20,161

Compensation Committee Options: 12,097

Tom Wolfe

Total Options: 56,452

Director Options: 40,323

Compensation Committee Options: 16,129

 

 

8

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00181-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00181-of-00352.parquet"}]]