Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                             FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION
                           1995 RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN

         1. PURPOSE. The purpose of the FirstMerit Corporation 1995 Restricted
Stock Plan (the "Plan") is to enable FirstMerit Corporation (the "Company") and
its subsidiaries to provide present and prospective officers and key employees
with an opportunity to obtain an equity ownership interest in the Company
through the grant of restricted stock awards ("Award" or "Awards") of the
Company's common stock, no par value ("Common Stock").

         2. ADMINISTRATION. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation
Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of the Company. A majority
of members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and all determinations of
the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any determination of
the Committee under the Plan may be made without notice or meeting, by a writing
signed by a majority of the Committee members.

         In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the
Committee shall (A) select the Participants from those employees meeting the
eligibility criteria described in Section 4; (B) determine the number of Shares
to be subject to each Award; (C) determine the time at which Awards are made;
(D) determine the duration and nature of Award restrictions; (E) fix such other
provisions of the Awards as the Committee may deem necessary or desirable in its
sole discretion, consistent with the terms of the Plan; and (F) determine the
form or forms of agreement with Participants which shall evidence the particular
terms, conditions, rights and duties of the Company and the Participants with
respect to Awards (the "Award Agreements").

         The Committee shall have the authority, subject to the provisions of
the Plan, to establish, adopt, and revise such rules and regulations relating to
the Plan as it may deem necessary or desirable for the administration of the
Plan. Each determination, interpretation, or other action made or taken by the
Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be conclusive and binding
for all purposes and on all persons, including, without limitation, the Company,
the stockholders of the Company, the Committee and each of the members thereof,
the Board of Directors, officers and employees of the Company, and the
Participants and their respective successors in interest.

         3. COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. There is hereby reserved for
issuance as Awards under the Plan an aggregate of 12,500 shares of Common Stock,
which may be authorized but unissued or treasury shares.

         Any shares subject to Awards may thereafter be subject to new Awards
under this Plan if shares of Common Stock are issued under such Awards and are
thereafter reacquired by the Company pursuant to rights reserved by the Company
upon issuance thereof, including, without limitation, the forfeiture of shares
subject to an Award prior to the lapse of restrictions.

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         If the Company shall at any time change the number of issued shares of
Common Stock without new considerations to the Company (by stock dividends,
stock splits, or similar transactions), the total number of shares reserved for
issuance under the Plan shall be adjusted proportionately. Awards may also
contain provisions for their continuation or for other equitable adjustments
after changes in the Common Stock resulting from reorganization, sale, merger,
consolidation or similar circumstances.

         4. PARTICIPANTS. Participants will consist of such key employees
(including officers) of the Company and any present or future subsidiary as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, determines to be mainly responsible for the
success and future growth and profitability of the Company and value to its
stockholders and whom the Committee may designate from time to time to receive
Awards under the Plan. Awards may be granted under this Plan to persons who have
previously received Awards or other benefits under this or other plans of the
Company.

         5. AWARDS. Awards will consist of grants of restricted shares of Common
Stock ("Restricted Shares") to Participants as a bonus for service rendered to
the Company without other payment therefor. In addition to the restrictions
described in Section 6, any Award under the Plan may be subject to such other
provision (whether or not applicable to an Award to any other Participant) as
the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, provisions for
the forfeiture of and restrictions on the sale, resale or other disposition of
shares acquired under any Award, provisions giving the Company the right to
repurchase shares acquired under any Award, provisions to comply with federal
and state securities laws, or understandings or conditions as to the
Participant's employment in addition to those specifically provided for under
the Plan.

         6. RESTRICTIONS. A Participant shall not have a right to retain any
Restricted Shares granted under an Award unless and until such restrictions have
by their terms lapsed. The lapsing of such restrictions is referred to herein as
"Vesting," and the shares after Vesting has occurred are referred to herein as
"Vested Shares." The restrictions which the Committee may place on the Awards
include, without limitation, the Participant's continued employment with the
Company for certain periods of time as determined by the Committee and the
attainment of various performance goals by the Participant and/or the Company as
specified by the Committee with respect to such Award. The Committee may, in its
sole discretion, require different periods of employment or different
performance goals with respect to different Participants, with respect to
different Awards or with respect to separate, designated portions of an Award.
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate restrictions on shares
issued pursuant to an Award prior to the time such restrictions otherwise would
have lapsed. Any Restricted Shares granted under an Award which have not become
Vested Shares on or before the termination date, if any, set forth in the Award
Agreement shall permanently be forfeited, and shall thereafter become available
for reissuance under the Plan.

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         7. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS. The Committee in its sole discretion,
may employ one or more methods of enforcing the restrictions referred to in
Sections 6, 8, 9 and 11, including, without limitation, the following: placing a
legend on the stock certificates referring to the restrictions; requiring the
Participant to keep stock certificates, duly endorsed, in the custody of the
Company or its designated agent while the restrictions remain in effect; not
issuing certificates for Restricted Shares until the shares become Vested
Shares; or (D) retain a possessory lien in the Award Shares as provided in
Section 11 below.

         8. PRIVILEGES OF SHAREHOLDER. Restricted Shares shall constitute issued
and outstanding shares of the Company for all corporate purposes, and the
Participant shall have all voting and (subject to any Award restrictions) all
dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to Restricted Shares while
the corresponding Award remains in effect, as if such Participant were a holder
of record of unrestricted shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
prior to the time at which a Restricted Share becomes a Vested Share, the
Participant's right to assign or transfer such Restricted Share shall be subject
to the limitations of Section 9. Certificates representing Restricted Shares
shall bear a restrictive legend disclosing the restrictions, the existence of
the Plan, and the existence of the applicable Award.

         9. NON-TRANSFERABILITY. No right or interest of any Participant in any
Award made pursuant to the Plan shall, prior to the satisfaction of all
restrictions applicable thereto, be assignable or transferable, in whole or in
part, during the lifetime of the Participant, either voluntarily or
involuntarily, or be made subject to any lien (except as provided in Sections 7
and 11), directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise, including
execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge or bankruptcy. In the event of
a Participant's death, a Participant's right and interest in any Award shall, to
the extent provided in the Award, be transferable by testamentary will or the
laws of descent and distribution, and the issuance of any shares subject to an
Award shall be made to the Participant's legal representatives, heirs or
legatees upon furnishing the Committee with evidence satisfactory to the
Committee of such status.

         10. WITHHOLDING TAXES. The Company is entitled to withhold and deduct
from future wages of the Participant, or make other arrangements for the
collection of, all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any federal,
state, or local tax requirements attributable to the grant, vesting or
applicable tax elections (including, without limitation, elections under Section
83(b) of the Code), with respect to the Restricted Shares, or the payment of any
dividends or other distributions with respect to the Restricted Shares, or
require the Participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the
Company as a condition to the continuation of such Award, the delivery of
certificates evidencing Vested Shares, or the payment of any dividends paid on
Restricted Shares.

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         11. LIEN ON SHARES. The Company may, in its sole discretion, require
that a Participant, as a condition to the receipt of an Award, grant to the
Company a possessory lien on the Restricted Shares in order to secure
re-transfer of the Shares into the name of the Company, and ensure adequate
provision for any tax withholding obligations arising with respect to such
Award, and to that end, may require that certificates evidencing Restricted
Shares be deposited by the Participant with the Company, together with stock
powers or other instruments of assignment, each endorsed in blank, which will
permit the transfer to the Company of all or any portion of the Restricted
Shares which are forfeited or required to be retained to satisfy the
participant's withholding obligations to the Company.

         12. SHARE ISSUANCE AND TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.

                  (A) SHARE ISSUANCE. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
Plan or any Award Agreement entered into pursuant hereto, the Company shall not
be required to issue or deliver any certificate for shares under this Plan,
unless and until both of the following are satisfied:

                           (i)      either:

                                    (a) there shall be in effect with respect to
                  such shares a registration statement under the Securities Act
                  of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and any applicable
                  state securities laws, if the Committee, in its sole
                  discretion, shall have determined to file, cause to become
                  effective and maintain the effectiveness of such registration
                  statement; or

                                    (b) if the Committee has determined not to
                           so register the shares, exemptions from registration
                           under the Securities Act and applicable state
                           securities laws shall be available for such issuance
                           as determined by counsel for the Company and there
                           shall have been received from the Participant (or, in
                           the event of death or disability, the Participant's
                           hear(s) or legal representative(s)) any
                           representations or agreements requested by the
                           Company in order to permit such issuance to be made
                           pursuant to such exemptions; and

                           (ii) there shall have been obtained any other
         consent, approval or permit from any state or federal government agency
         which the Committee shall, in its sole discretion and upon the advice
         of counsel, deem necessary or advisable.

                  (B) TRANSFERS OF VESTED SHARES. Vested Shares may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of (whether
voluntarily or involuntarily) except pursuant to registration under the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions
from such registrations. The Company may condition the sale, assignment,
transfer, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of such shares not issued
pursuant to an effective and current registration statement under the Securities
Act and all applicable state securities laws,

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on the receipt from the party to whom the shares are to be so transferred of any
representations or agreements requested by the Company in order to permit such
transfer to be made.

                  (C) LEGENDS. Unless a registration under the Securities Act is
in effect with respect to the issuance or transfer of Vested Shares, each
certificate representing such shares shall be endorsed with a legend in
substantially the following form, unless counsel for the Company is of the
opinion as to any such certificate that such legend is unnecessary:

                  THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
                  REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
                  "ACT"), OR UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THESE
                  SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND MAY NOT BE
                  OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
                  ENCUMBERED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN
                  EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND SUCH STATE
                  LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                  UNDER THE ACT AND SUCH STATE LAWS, THE AVAILABILITY OF WHICH
                  IS TO BE ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE COMPANY.

         13. TENURE. An Award shall not confer upon the Participant any right
with respect to being continued in the employ of the Company or to interfere in
any way with the right of the Company to terminate his employment at any time,
for any reason, with or without cause, except as may otherwise be stated in a
written employment agreement between the Company and the Participant.

         14. ACCELERATION ON CHANGE OF CONTROL. The Committee may provide, in
its sole discretion, in one or more Awards, that notwithstanding the provisions
of each Award which would result in a forfeiture as a result of the
Participant's termination of employment with the Company prior to the Vesting of
Restricted Shares, the Restricted Shares subject to such Award shall immediately
become Vested Shares as a result of a Change in Control as defined in the Award
Agreement, or the affected Participant's employment or separation agreement with
the Company at the time of reference. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in the Plan, unless expressly provided to the contrary in the Award Agreement,
if Restricted Shares experience an acceleration in Vesting on a Change in
Control as permitted by the preceding sentence, the portion of the Restricted
Shares which experience such acceleration will be limited to that number which
will not cause or contribute to an "excess parachute payment" with respect to
the Participant, as reasonably determined by the Committee in accordance with
Section 280G of the Code.

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         15. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION. The Board of Directors may
amend the Plan from time to time or terminate the Plan at any time. In addition,
the Committee may amend the terms of any Award previously granted under this
Plan, prospectively or retroactively. However, no action authorized by this
Section 15 shall impair the rights of any Participant without the Participant's
consent.

         16. EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION. The Plan is effective as of March 1,
1995. The Plan shall continue in effect until it is terminated by action of the
Board of Directors, but such termination shall not affect the then outstanding
terms of any Award. No Award shall be granted more than 10 years after the date
of adoption of this Plan; provided, however, that the terms and conditions
applicable to any Award granted within such period may thereafter be amended or
modified by mutual agreement between the Company and the Participant or such
other persons as may then have an interest therein. Also, by mutual agreement
between the Company and a Participant, or under any future plan of the Company,
Awards may be granted to such Participant in substitution and exchange for, and
in cancellation of, any Awards previously granted such Participant under this
Plan, or any benefit previously or thereafter granted to him under any future
plan of the Company.

         17. EXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN. Nothing contained in this Plan is intended
to amend, modify or rescind any previously approved compensation plans or
programs adopted by the Company. The Plan will be construed to be in addition to
any and all such other plans or programs. The adoption of the Plan by the
Company will not be construed as creating any limitations on the power or
authority of the Board of Directors to adopt such additional or other
compensation arrangements as the Board of Directors may deem necessary or
desirable.

                                       6<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                             FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION

                                 1997 STOCK PLAN

                   AS AMENDED AND RESTATED ON OCTOBER 21, 2000

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                             FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION
                                1997 STOCK PLAN
                  AS AMENDED AND RESTATED ON OCTOBER 21, 2000

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
I.       INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1
         A.       Purpose of the Plan ........................................................................... 1
         B.       Definitions ................................................................................... 1

II.      EMPLOYEES STOCK OPTION PROGRAM...........................................................................5
         A.       Administration ................................................................................ 5
         B.       Participation ................................................................................. 6
         C.       Maximum Number of Shares Available ............................................................ 6
         D.       Adjustments ................................................................................... 6
         E.       Registration Conditions ....................................................................... 6
         F.       Committee Action .............................................................................. 7
         G.       Stock Options...................................................................................7
         H.       Dividend Units..................................................................................9
         I.       Amendment and Termination......................................................................11

III.     DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PROGRAM ........................................................................ 11
         A.       Administration ............................................................................... 11
         B.       Participation ................................................................................ 11
         C.       Maximum Number of Shares Available ........................................................... 11
         D.       Adjustments .................................................................................. 11
         E.       Registration Conditions ...................................................................... 12
         F.       Stock Options..................................................................................12
         G.       Dividend Units.................................................................................13
         H.       Amendment and Termination......................................................................14

IV.      RESTRICTED STOCK PROGRAM .............................................................................. 14
         A.       Administration ............................................................................... 14
         B.       Participation ................................................................................ 15
         C.       Maximum Number of Shares Available ........................................................... 15
         D.       Awards ....................................................................................... 16
         E.       Restrictions ................................................................................. 16
         F.       Enforcement of Restrictions....................................................................16
         G.       Privileges of Employee-Participant.............................................................17
         H.       Non-Transferability............................................................................17
         I.       Withholding Taxes..............................................................................17
         J.       Lien on Shares.................................................................................17
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                                            <C>
         K.       Share Issuance and Transfer Restrictions.......................................................18
         L.       Acceleration on Change of Control..............................................................19
         M.       Effective Date and Duration....................................................................19
         N.       Exclusivity....................................................................................19
         O.       Amendment and Termination......................................................................19

V.       GENERAL PROVISIONS .................................................................................... 20
         A.       Government and Other Regulations ............................................................. 20
         B.       Other Compensation Plans and Programs ........................................................ 20
         C.       Miscellaneous Provisions ..................................................................... 20
         D.       Effective Date ............................................................................... 23
</TABLE>

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                             FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION
                                 1997 STOCK PLAN
                   AS AMENDED AND RESTATED ON OCTOBER 21, 2000

         FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION (the "Company") adopted the 1997 Stock Plan
("Plan"), effective as of January 1, 1997, which Plan received shareholder
approval at the 1997 Annual Shareholders Meeting. The Board amended and restated
the Plan effective November 1, 1997 to make certain administrative changes
related to the 2-for-1 stock split in September 1997 and regarding the
transferability of options. The number of shares of Common Stock approved and
reserved under the Plan, subject to the actual shares available for grant under
the Plan, is 2,000,000 for the Employees Stock Option Program and the Restricted
Stock Program, and 200,000 for the Directors Stock Option Program. The maximum
number of shares of Common Stock which can be granted as part of the 2,000,000
shares under the Restricted Stock Program is 500,000. The Plan, as amended and
restated herein, shall apply to all Awards made after the original effective
date of January 1, 1997.

                                 I. INTRODUCTION

A.       PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

         FirstMerit Corporation has established the Plan to further its
long-term financial success by creating the opportunity to key employees and
non-employee Directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries to receive stock and
stock-based compensation whereby they can share in achieving and sustaining such
success. The Plan also provides a means to attract and retain the executive
talent needed to achieve the Company's long-term growth and profitability
objectives.

B.       DEFINITIONS

         When used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:

         "Award(s)" shall mean Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock
Options, Reload Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards or Dividend Units granted
under the Plan.

         "Award Agreement" shall mean an agreement which shall evidence the
particular terms, conditions, rights and duties of the Company and the
Participant with respect to an Award.

         "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

         "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
following events:

                  (a) individuals who, on April 19, 2000, constitute the Board
(the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent
to April 19, 2000 whose election or nomination for election was approved by a
vote of at least 2/3rds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by
a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which
such person is named as a nominee for director, without written objection to
such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no
director of the Company initially as a result of an actual or threatened
election contest with respect to directors or any other actual or threatened
solicitation of

<PAGE>   5

proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be
deemed to be an Incumbent Director;

                  (b) any "person" (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and as used in
Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities eligible to
vote for the election of the Board (the "Company Voting Securities"); provided,
however, that the event described in this paragraph (b) shall not be deemed to
be a Change in Control by virtue of any of the following acquisitions:

                           (i)  by the Company or any Subsidiary,

                           (ii) by any employee benefit plan sponsored or
                  maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary,

                           (iii) by any underwriter temporarily holding
                  securities pursuant to an offering of such securities,

                           (iv) pursuant to a Non-Control Transaction (as
                  defined in paragraph (c)), or

                           (v) a transaction (other than one described in (c)
                  below) in which Company Voting Securities are acquired from
                  the Company, if a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on
                  the Board approve a resolution providing expressly that the
                  acquisition pursuant to this clause (v) does not constitute a
                  Change in Control under this paragraph (b);

                  (c) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory
share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries that requires the approval of the Company's
shareholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in the
transaction (a "Business Combination"), unless immediately following such
Business Combination:

                           (i) more than 50% of the total voting power of (x)
                  the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (the
                  "Surviving Entity"), or (y) if applicable, the ultimate parent
                  corporation that directly or indirectly has beneficial
                  ownership of 100% of the voting securities eligible to elect
                  directors ("Total Voting Power") of the Surviving Entity (the
                  "Parent Entity"), is represented by Company Voting Securities
                  that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business
                  Combination (or, if applicable, shares into which such Company
                  Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business
                  Combination), and such voting power among the holders thereof
                  is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of
                  such Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof
                  immediately prior to the Business Combination,

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                           (ii) no person (other than any employee benefit plan
                  (or related trusts) sponsored or maintained by the Surviving
                  Entity or the Parent Entity), is or becomes the beneficial
                  owner, directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the Total
                  Voting Power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to
                  elect directors of the Parent Entity (or, if there is no
                  Parent Entity, the Surviving Entity), and

                           (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board
                  of directors of the Parent Entity (or, if there is no Parent
                  Entity, the Surviving Entity) following the consummation of
                  the Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time
                  of the Board's approval of the execution of the initial
                  agreement providing for such Business Combination (any
                  Business Combination which satisfies all of the criteria
                  specified in (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be deemed to be a
                  "Non-Control Transaction"); or

                  (d) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control of the Company shall
not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership
of more than 25% of the Company Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition
of Company Voting Securities by the Company which reduces the number of Company
Voting Securities outstanding; provided, that if after such acquisition by the
Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting
Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting
Securities beneficially owned by such person by more than one percent, a Change
in Control of the Company shall then occur.

         "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such
other Committee of the Board which shall be designated by the Board to
administer the Plan. If the Board does not designate the Compensation Committee
as the Committee, the Committee will be composed of two (2) or more persons who
are from time to time appointed to serve by the Board. Each member of the
Committee will be a "non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of
the Securities Exchange Act or any successor rule, as any such rule may be
amended from time to time and will qualify as an "outside director" within the
meaning of Code Section 162(m) ("Qualified Director"). A person may be appointed
to the Committee who does not qualify as a "non-employee director" if the
Committee adopts and follows a recusal procedure which qualifies under the
Section 16 Rules.

         "Company" shall mean FirstMerit Corporation and any successor in a
reorganization or similar transaction.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company, no par value
per share, and may be either stock previously authorized but unissued, or stock
reacquired by the Company.

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<PAGE>   7

         "Director" shall mean a duly elected member of the Board.

         "Directors Stock Option Program" shall mean the stock option program
delineated in Article III of this Plan.

         "Director-Participant" shall mean a Director who is not also a
full-time employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

         "Disability" shall mean the inability of an Employee-Participant to
perform the services normally rendered due to any physical or mental impairment
that can be expected to be of either permanent or indefinite duration, as
determined by the Committee on the basis of appropriate medical evidence, and
that results in the Employee-Participant's Termination of Employment; provided,
however, that with respect to any Employee-Participant who has entered into an
employment agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the term of
which has not expired at the time a determination concerning Disability is to be
made, Disability shall have the meaning attributed to "permanent disability" in
such employment agreement.

         "Employees Stock Option Program" shall mean the stock option program,
as delineated in Article II of this Plan.

         "Employee-Participant" shall mean an officer or full-time salaried
employee (including a Director who is also a full-time employee) of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries who, in the judgment of the Committee, is in a
position to make a substantial contribution to the management, growth and
success of the Company and is thus designated by the Committee to receive an
Award.

         "Fair Market Value" shall mean with respect to a given day, the closing
sales price of a share of Common Stock, as reported by such responsible
reporting service as the Committee may select, or if there were no transactions
in the Common Stock on such day, then the last preceding day on which
transactions took place. The foregoing notwithstanding, the Committee may
determine the Fair Market Value in such other manner as it may deem more
appropriate for Plan purposes or as is required by applicable laws or
regulations.

         "Incentive Stock Option" or "ISO" shall mean a right to purchase the
Company's Common Stock which is intended to comply with the terms and conditions
for an incentive stock option as set forth in Section 422 of the Code, or such
other sections of the Code as may be in effect from time to time.

         "Non-Qualified Stock Option" or "NQSO" shall mean a right to purchase
the Company's Common Stock which is not intended to comply with the terms and
conditions for a tax-qualified stock option, as set forth in Section 422 of the
Code, or such other sections of the Code as may be in effect from time to time.

         "Participant" shall mean an Employee-Participant or a
Director-Participant.

         "Plan" shall mean the Company's 1997 Stock Plan, as set forth herein.

                                       4
<PAGE>   8

         "Reload Stock Option" shall mean an option granted to an
Employee-Participant who has paid for shares subject to option through the
delivery of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value as
determined on the date of exercise equal to the option price.

         "Restricted Shares" shall mean those shares of Common Stock reserved
for issuance as Awards under the Restricted Stock Program, as further provided
in Article IV(D).

         "Restricted Stock Program" shall mean the restricted stock program, as
delineated in Article IV of this Plan.

         "Retirement" shall mean an Employee-Participant's Termination of
Employment by reason of retirement at his normal retirement date, pursuant to
and in accordance with a pension, retirement or similar plan or other regular
retirement practice of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in accordance
with the early retirement provision(s) thereof.

         "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         "Securities Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

         "Subsidiaries" shall mean the majority-owned subsidiaries of the
Company.

         "Termination of Employment" shall mean a cessation of the
employee-employer relationship between an Employee-Participant and the Company
or its Subsidiaries for any reason.

         "Termination of Service" shall mean a cessation of the Director's
relationship with the Company for any reason.

                       II. EMPLOYEES STOCK OPTION PROGRAM

A.       ADMINISTRATION

         The Employees Stock Option Program shall be administered by the
Committee, which, subject to the express provisions of the Employees Stock
Option Program, shall have full and exclusive authority to interpret the
Employees Stock Option Program, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Employees Stock Option Program and to make all other
determinations deemed necessary or advisable in the implementation and
administration of the Employees Stock Option Program; provided, however, that
subject to the express provisions hereof or unless required by applicable law or
regulation, no action of the Committee shall adversely affect the terms and
conditions of any Award made to, or any rights hereunder or under any Award
Agreement of, any Employee-Participant, without such Employee-Participant's
consent. The Committee's interpretation and construction of the Employees Stock
Option Program shall be conclusive and binding on all persons, including the
Company and all Employee-Participants.

                                       5
<PAGE>   9

B.       PARTICIPATION

         The Committee shall, from time to time, make recommendations to the
Board with respect to the selection of Employee-Participants and the Award or
Awards to be granted to each Employee- Participant, and thereafter grant such
Award or Awards upon the approval of a majority of the members of the Board
present and voting upon such approval, who are Qualified Directors. In making
its recommendations, the Committee may take into account the nature of the
services rendered or expected to be rendered by the respective
Employee-Participants, their present and potential contributions to the
Company's success, and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion
shall deem relevant.

C.       MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE

         The maximum number of shares which may be granted under the Employees
Stock Option Program is one million (1,000,000) shares, less shares granted
under the Restricted Stock Program.

         No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted after January 1, 2007, or
such other period required under the Code.

D.       ADJUSTMENTS

         In the event of stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations,
mergers, consolidations, combinations, exchanges of shares, spin-offs,
liquidations, reclassifications or other similar changes in the capitalization
of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under
this Employees Stock Option Program shall be adjusted proportionately or
otherwise by the Board and, where deemed appropriate, the number of shares
covered by outstanding stock options and the option price of outstanding stock
options shall be similarly adjusted. Also, in instances where another
corporation or other business entity is acquired by the Company, and the Company
has assumed outstanding employee option grants under a prior existing plan of
the acquired entity, similar adjustments are permitted at the discretion of the
Committee. In the event of any other change affecting the Common Stock reserved
under the Employees Stock Option Program, such adjustment, if any, as may be
deemed equitable by the Board, shall be made to give proper effect to such
event.

E.       REGISTRATION CONDITIONS

         Unless issued pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities
Act, no shares shall be issued to an Employee-Participant under the Employees
Stock Option Program unless the Employee-Participant represents to and agrees
with the Company that such shares are being acquired for investment and not with
a view to the resale or distribution thereof, or such other documentation as may
be required by the Company unless, in the opinion of counsel to the Company,
such representation, agreement or documentation is not necessary to comply with
the Securities Act.

                                       6
<PAGE>   10

         Any restriction on the resale of shares shall be evidenced by an
appropriate legend on the stock certificate.

         The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Common Stock until it
has been listed on each securities exchange on which the Common Stock may then
be listed or until there has been qualification under or compliance with such
federal or state laws, rules or regulations as the Company may deem applicable.
The Company shall use reasonable efforts to obtain such listing, qualification
and compliance.

F.       COMMITTEE ACTION

         The Committee may, through Award Agreements, limit its discretion under
this Employees Stock Option Program. To the extent such discretion is not
specifically waived in an Award Agreement, the Committee shall retain such
discretion.

G.       STOCK OPTIONS

         All stock options granted to Employee-Participants under the Employees
Stock Option Program shall be evidenced by Award Agreements which shall be
subject to applicable provisions of the Employees Stock Option Program, and such
other provisions as the Committee may adopt, including the following provisions:

         1. PRICE. The option price per share of Non-Qualified Stock Options
("NQSOs") shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant. The option price
per share of Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") shall not be less than 100 percent
of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant. If a
NQSO is to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, it shall be
issued at Fair Market Value.

         2. PERIOD. An ISO shall not be exercisable for a term longer than ten
(10) years from date of grant. NQSOs shall have a term as established by the
Committee.

         3. TIME OF EXERCISE. The Committee may prescribe the timing of the
exercise of the stock option and any minimums and installment provisions and may
accelerate the time at which a stock option becomes exercisable, provided that
with respect to ISOs, no such acceleration shall result in a violation of
Section 6 of this Paragraph G.

         4. EXERCISE PROCEDURES. A stock option, or portion thereof, shall be
exercised by delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company and payment
of the full price of the shares being purchased.

         5. PAYMENT. The price of an exercised stock option, or portion thereof,
may be paid pursuant to Paragraph V.C.11.

                                       7
<PAGE>   11

         6. SPECIAL RULE FOR INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. If the aggregate Fair
Market Value of Common Stock with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the
first time by an Employee- Participant during any calendar year (under this
Employees Stock Option Program and all other plans of the Company and its
Subsidiaries) exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), such ISOs shall
be treated as NQSOs to the extent of the excess. In applying the foregoing
limitation, ISOs shall be taken into account in the order in which they were
granted, and the Fair Market Value of Common Stock subject to such ISOs shall be
determined as of the date of grant. If such limit is exceeded in any calendar
year, the Company shall have the right to designate which shares of Common Stock
purchased pursuant to such ISOs shall be treated as having been acquired by the
Employee-Participant pursuant to an ISO.

         7. RELOAD STOCK OPTIONS. A Reload Stock Option may be granted by the
Committee in an Award Agreement. If a reload option is granted and a stock
option is exercised while the Employee-Participant is employed by the Company
and the Employee-Participant pays for the shares subject to option through the
delivery of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value as determined on
the date of exercise equal to the option price, the Employee-Participant will be
granted a Reload Stock Option on the date of such exercise. The Award shall
equal the number of whole shares of Common Stock used to pay the purchase price,
and the exercise price of the Reload Stock Option shall equal the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. If the Company withholds shares
of Common Stock to cover applicable income and employment taxes related to the
exercise of an option, then the Award shall equal the number of whole shares of
Common Stock used to pay the purchase price less the number of shares withheld.

                  Subject to the provisions of the Employees Stock Option
Program, the Reload Stock Option may be exercised between its date of grant and
the date of expiration of an option. Shares of stock acquired upon the exercise
of a Reload Stock Option are restricted from sale for two years. A Reload Stock
Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement containing such other terms and
conditions as the Committee approves. No Reload Stock Option shall be granted
with respect to a stock option exercised after the Employee-Participant's
Retirement, Disability, death or other Termination of Employment.

         8. EFFECT OF LEAVES OF ABSENCE. It shall not be considered a
Termination of Employment when an Employee-Participant is placed by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide
leave of absence. In case of such leave of absence, the employment relationship
for Employees Stock Option Program purposes shall be continued until the later
of the date when such leave of absence equals ninety (90) days or when the
Employee- Participant's right to reemployment with the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall no longer be guaranteed either by statute or contract.

         9. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. In the event of Termination of
Employment, the following provisions shall apply with respect to ISOs and NQSOs
unless waived by the Committee, or as otherwise specifically provided in the
Award Agreement.

                                       8
<PAGE>   12

                  a.       TERMINATION DUE TO DEATH, DISABILITY OR RETIREMENT.
                           NQSOs and ISOs shall be exercisable for a period
                           equal to the lesser of five (5) years or the
                           remaining option term; provided, however, that if the
                           Employee-Participant elects to exercise his ISOs (i)
                           later than three (3) months after the date of his
                           Termination of Employment due to Retirement or (ii)
                           twelve (12) months after the date of his Termination
                           of Employment due to Disability, such ISOs shall be
                           treated as NQSOs under the Code for purposes of
                           calculating the federal income tax applicable as a
                           result of the exercise of such ISOs and the
                           subsequent disposition of the acquired shares.

                  b.       OTHER TERMINATION. If an Employee-Participant's
                           employment with the Company or any of its
                           Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason other than
                           death, Disability or Retirement, all Awards under
                           this Employees Stock Option Program shall be
                           immediately canceled, except that if the termination
                           is by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or for
                           any reason other than misconduct or misfeasance, the
                           Employee-Participant shall have thirty (30) days
                           thereafter within which to exercise his options to
                           the extent that the options are otherwise exercisable
                           immediately prior to such termination; and further,
                           if such termination is attributable to a Change of
                           Control, such Award shall not be canceled but shall
                           continue as though the Employee-Participant remained
                           in the employ of the Company or any of its
                           Subsidiaries during the remaining option term of the
                           Award.

                  c.       LIMITATIONS ON EXERCISE. Notwithstanding the
                           foregoing, the Committee may rescind the right to
                           exercise stock options following Termination of
                           Employment if the Employee-Participant has been found
                           to be directly or indirectly engaged in any activity
                           which is in competition with the Company or any of
                           its Subsidiaries or is otherwise adverse to, or not
                           in the best interest of, the Company or any of its
                           Subsidiaries. Further, no option agreement for ISOs
                           may extend their exercise period beyond the time
                           allowed by the Code.

H.       DIVIDEND UNITS

         1.       AWARDS OF DIVIDEND UNITS

                  a.       The Committee may, at its discretion, award to an
                           Employee-Participant one (1) Dividend Unit with
                           respect to each share of Common Stock for which an
                           option has been granted under the Employees Stock
                           Option Program.

                  b.       An Award of a Dividend Unit by the Committee may be
                           made only in conjunction with a stock option for
                           Common Stock granted to the Employee- Participant
                           under the Employees Stock Option Program.

                                       9
<PAGE>   13

         2.       VALUATION

                  a.       The amount payable to an Employee-Participant in
                           respect of each Dividend Unit awarded to such
                           Employee-Participant shall be equal to the aggregate
                           dividends actually paid on one (1) share of Common
                           Stock to the extent that such Employee-Participant
                           held such Dividend Unit on the record date
                           established by the Board for payment of each such
                           dividend. An Employee- Participant shall be deemed to
                           have held a Dividend Unit from the date on which the
                           Award of such Dividend Unit was made (or such later
                           date as may be specified in the related Award
                           Agreement) to and including the date on which the
                           term of the Dividend Unit expires.

                  b.       The Committee shall, at the time it awards a Dividend
                           Unit to an Employee- Participant, specify the term of
                           the Dividend Unit (which term shall not be longer
                           than the term of the stock option to which it is
                           attached) and the period of time during the term over
                           which the Dividend Unit will accrue dividends.

         3.       PAYMENT

                  a.       The amount payable to an Employee-Participant in
                           respect of a Dividend Unit shall be paid out by the
                           Company to such Employee-Participant at such time as
                           the Committee shall determine and specify.

                  b.       Upon payment to an Employee-Participant in respect of
                           a Dividend Unit, such Dividend Unit shall be of no
                           further force or effect.

         4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. In the event of Termination of
Employment, any Dividend Unit shall remain outstanding until the first to occur
of: (i) the date upon which such Dividend Unit is paid in accordance with the
provisions of Paragraph II.H.3.a above or (ii) the date upon which the stock
option to which the Dividend Unit attaches expires, is canceled or is
terminated.

         5. ACCELERATION OF PAYMENTS. Unless the Committee determines otherwise,
in the event of a Change of Control, the Company shall, promptly after such
Change of Control, make payment to each Employee-Participant in an amount equal
to the aggregate amount accrued on the Dividend Units held by such
Employee-Participant on the date of such Change of Control. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary or any Award Agreement, after such Change of Control
and for so long as an Employee-Participant holds any Dividend Unit and dividends
are accrued thereon, the Company shall make payment to the Employee-Participant
in respect of any such Dividend Unit at the same time as payment of dividends on
Common Stock is made.

                                       10
<PAGE>   14

I.       AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

         The Board may, at any time and from time to time, suspend or terminate
the Employees Stock Option Program in whole or amend it from time to time in
such respects as the Board may deem appropriate, subject, however, to the
regulatory requirements of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and the
requirements of the Code.

                       III. DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PROGRAM

A.       ADMINISTRATION

         The Directors Stock Option Program is a self-executing grant program
which shall be administered by the Secretary of the Company. Subject to the
express provisions of the Directors Stock Option Program, the Secretary shall
have full and exclusive authority to interpret the Directors Stock Option
Program, and to make such determinations deemed necessary or advisable in the
implementation and administration of the Directors Stock Option Program;
provided, however, that subject to the express provisions hereof or unless
required by applicable law or regulation, no action of the Secretary shall
adversely affect the terms and conditions of any Award made to, or any rights
hereunder or under any Award Agreement of, any Director-Participant without such
Director- Participant's consent.

B.       PARTICIPATION

         All Directors who are not also full-time employees of the Company or a
Subsidiary shall be Director-Participants in the Directors Stock Option Program
and shall be awarded options to purchase one thousand two hundred (1,200) shares
each year on the date following the annual shareholders meeting.

C.       MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE

         The maximum number of shares which may be granted under this Directors
Stock Option Program is one hundred thousand (100,000) shares.

D.       ADJUSTMENTS

         In the event of stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations,
mergers, consolidations, combinations, exchanges of shares, spin-offs,
liquidations, reclassifications or other similar changes in the capitalization
of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under
this Directors Stock Option Program shall be adjusted proportionately.

                                       11
<PAGE>   15

E.       REGISTRATION CONDITIONS

         Unless issued pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities
Act, no shares shall be issued to a Director-Participant under the Directors
Stock Option Program unless the Director- Participant represents to and agrees
with the Company that such shares are being acquired for investment and not with
a view to the resale or distribution thereof, or such other documentation as may
be required by the Company unless, in the opinion of counsel to the Company,
such representation, agreement or documentation is not necessary to comply with
the Securities Act.

         Any restriction on the resale of shares shall be evidenced by an
appropriate legend on the stock certificate.

         The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Common Stock until it
has been listed on each securities exchange on which the Common Stock may then
be listed or until there has been qualification under or compliance with such
federal or state laws, rules or regulations as the Company may deem applicable.
The Company shall use reasonable efforts to obtain such listing, qualification
and compliance.

F.       STOCK OPTIONS

         All stock options granted to Director-Participants under the Directors
Stock Option Program shall be evidenced by Award Agreements which shall be
subject to applicable provisions of the Directors Stock Option Program,
including the following provisions:

         1. PRICE. The option price per share shall be 100 percent of the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant.

         2. PERIOD. Any option granted under the Directors Stock Option Program
shall be exercisable for a term of ten (10) years from the date of grant.

         3. TIME OF EXERCISE. Will be established by the Committee.

         4. EXERCISE PROCEDURES. A stock option, or portion thereof, shall be
exercised by delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company and payment
of the full price of the shares being purchased.

         5. PAYMENT. The price of an exercised stock option, or portion thereof,
may be paid pursuant to Paragraph V.C.11.

         6. TERMINATION OF SERVICE. In the event of Termination of Service, the
following provisions shall apply:

                  a.       DISCHARGE FOR CAUSE. All outstanding options shall be
                           canceled at termination.

                                       12
<PAGE>   16

                  b.       TERMINATION OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE. Options shall be
                           exercisable for a period equal to the lesser of five
                           (5) years or the remaining option term.

G.       DIVIDEND UNITS

         1.       AWARDS OF DIVIDEND UNITS

                  a.       One (1) Dividend Unit shall be awarded to a
                           Director-Participant with respect to each share of
                           Common Stock for which an option has been granted
                           under the Directors Stock Option Program. When a
                           Director-Participant receives an Award of Dividend
                           Units, the Secretary shall cause to be issued to such
                           Director-Participant an Award Agreement specifying
                           the number of Dividend Units granted and the
                           applicable terms and conditions of the Award.

                  b.       An Award of a Dividend Unit shall be made only in
                           conjunction with a stock option for Common Stock
                           granted to the Director-Participant under this
                           Directors Stock Option Program.

         2.       VALUATION

                  a.       The amount payable to a Director-Participant in
                           respect of each Dividend Unit awarded to such
                           Director-Participant shall be equal to the aggregate
                           dividends actually paid on one share of Common Stock
                           to the extent that such Director-Participant held
                           such Dividend Unit on the record date established by
                           the Board for payment of each such dividend. A
                           Director-Participant shall be deemed to have held a
                           Dividend Unit from the date on which the Award of
                           such Dividend Unit was made (or such later date as
                           may be specified in the related grant letter) to and
                           including the date on which the term of the Dividend
                           Unit expires.

                  b.       The term of a Dividend Unit shall be the term of the
                           stock option to which it is attached. However,
                           Dividend Units will accrue dividends only for the
                           first five (5) years following grant.

         3.       PAYMENT

                  a.       The amount payable to a Director-Participant in
                           respect of a Dividend Unit shall be paid out by the
                           Company to such Director-Participant at such time as
                           the Committee shall determine and specify.

                  b.       Upon payment to a Director-Participant in respect of
                           a Dividend Unit, such Dividend Unit shall be of no
                           further force or effect.

                                       13
<PAGE>   17

         4. TERMINATION OF SERVICE. In the event of Termination of Service, any
Dividend Unit shall remain outstanding until the first to occur of: (i) the date
upon which such Dividend Unit is paid in accordance with the provisions of
Paragraph III.G.3.a above or (ii) the date upon which the stock option to which
the Dividend Unit attaches, expires, is canceled or is terminated.

         5. ACCELERATION OF PAYMENTS. In the event of a Change of Control, the
Company shall, promptly after such Change of Control, make payment to each
Director-Participant in an amount equal to the aggregate amount accrued on the
Dividend Units held by such Director-Participant on the date of such Change of
Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary or any Award Agreement, after
such Change of Control and for so long as a Director-Participant holds any
Dividend Unit and dividends are accrued thereon, the Company shall make payment
to the Director- Participant in respect of any such Dividend Unit at the same
time as payment of dividends on Common Stock is made.

H.       AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

         The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend or
terminate the Directors Stock Option Program, subject to the applicable
requirements and restrictions of the Code and securities laws. The Directors
Stock Option Program may not be materially amended without shareholder approval.

                          IV. RESTRICTED STOCK PROGRAM

A.       ADMINISTRATION

         The Restricted Stock Program shall be administered by the Committee. A
majority of members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and all
determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any
determination of the Committee under the Restricted Stock Program may be made
without notice or meeting, by a writing signed by a majority of the Committee
members.

         In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Restricted
Stock Program, the Committee shall, from time to time, recommend to the Board:

         1.       the Employee-Participants from those employees meeting the
                  eligibility criteria described in Paragraph B,

         2.       the number of shares to be subject to each Award,

         3.       the time at which Awards are made,

         4.       the duration and nature of Award restrictions,

         5.       fix such other provisions of the Awards as may be deemed
                  necessary or desirable, consistent with the terms of the
                  Restricted Stock Program, and

                                       14
<PAGE>   18

         6.       the form or forms of the Award Agreements with
                  Employee-Participants.

         The Committee shall have the authority, subject to the provisions of
the Restricted Stock Program, to establish, adopt and revise such rules and
regulations relating to the Restricted Stock Program as it may deem necessary or
desirable for the administration of the Restricted Stock Program. Each
determination, interpretation or other action made or taken by the Committee
pursuant to the provisions of the Restricted Stock Program shall be conclusive
and binding for all purposes and on all persons, including without limitation
the Company, the stockholders of the Company, the Committee and each of the
members thereof, the Board, officers and employees of the Company and the
Employee-Participants and their respective successors in interest.

B.       PARTICIPATION

         Employee-Participants shall be such key employees (including officers)
of the Company and any present or future Subsidiary as the Committee, in its
sole discretion, determines to be mainly responsible for the success and future
growth and profitability of the Company and value to its stockholders and whom
the Committee may designate from time to time to receive Awards under the
Restricted Stock Program. Awards may be granted under this Restricted Stock
Program to persons who have previously received Awards or other benefits under
this or other plans of the Company.

         The Committee shall, from time to time, make recommendations to the
Board with respect to the selection of Employee-Participants and the Award or
Awards to be granted to each Employee- Participant, and thereafter grant such
Award or Awards upon the approval of a majority of the members of the Board
present and voting upon such approval, who are Qualified Directors. In making
its recommendations, the Committee may take into account the nature of the
services rendered or expected to be rendered by the respective
Employee-Participants, their present and potential contributions to the
Company's success, and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion
shall deem relevant.

C.       MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE

         The maximum number of shares which may be granted under the Restricted
Stock Program is two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) shares, which may be
authorized but unissued or treasury shares.

         Any shares subject to Awards may thereafter be subject to new Awards
under this Restricted Stock Option Program if shares of Common Stock are issued
under such Awards and are thereafter reacquired by the Company pursuant to
rights reserved by the Company upon issuance thereof, including, without
limitation, the forfeiture of shares subject to an Award prior to the lapse of
restrictions.

         If the Company shall at any time change the number of issued shares of
Common Stock without new considerations to the Company (by stock dividends,
stock splits or similar transactions), the total number of shares reserved for
issuance under the Restricted Stock Option Program shall be

                                       15
<PAGE>   19

adjusted proportionately. Awards may also contain provisions for their
continuation or for other equitable adjustments after changes in the Common
Stock resulting from reorganization, sale, merger, consolidation or similar
circumstances.

D.       AWARDS

         Awards may consist of grants of Restricted Shares to
Employee-Participants as a bonus for service rendered to the Company without
other payment therefor or for payment at less than Fair Market Value. In
addition to the restrictions described in Paragraph E, any Award under the
Restricted Stock Option Program may be subject to such other provisions (whether
or not applicable to an Award to any other Employee-Participant) as the
Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, provisions for the
forfeiture of and restrictions on the sale, resale or other disposition of
shares acquired under any Award, provisions giving the Company the right to
repurchase shares acquired under any Award, provisions to comply with federal
and state securities laws, or understandings or conditions as to the
Employee-Participant's employment in addition to those specifically provided for
under the Restricted Stock Option Program.

E.       RESTRICTIONS

         An Employee-Participant shall not have a right to retain any Restricted
Shares granted under an Award unless and until such restrictions have by their
terms lapsed. The lapsing of such restrictions is referred to herein as vesting,
and the shares after Vesting has occurred are referred to herein as vested
shares. The restrictions which the Committee may place on the Awards include,
without limitation, the Employee-Participant's continued employment with the
Company for certain periods of time as determined by the Committee and the
attainment of various performance goals by the Employee-Participant and/or the
Company as specified by the Committee with respect to such Award. The Committee
may, in its sole discretion, require different periods of employment or
different performance goals with respect to different Employee-Participants,
with respect to different Awards or with respect to separate, designated
portions of an Award. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate
restrictions on shares issued pursuant to an Award prior to the time such
restrictions otherwise would have lapsed. Any Restricted Shares granted under an
Award which have not become Vested Shares on or before the termination date, if
any, set forth in the Award Agreement shall permanently be forfeited, and shall
thereafter become available for reissuance under the Plan.

F.       ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS

         The Committee, in its sole discretion, may employ one or more methods
of enforcing the restrictions referred to in Paragraphs E, G, H and J including,
without limitation, the following:

         1.       placing a legend on the stock certificates referring to the
                  restrictions,

         2.       requiring the Employee-Participant to keep stock certificates,
                  duly endorsed, in the custody of the Company or its designated
                  agent while the restrictions remain in effect,

                                       16
<PAGE>   20

         3.       not issuing certificates for Restricted Shares until the
                  shares become Vested Shares, or

         4.       retaining a possessory lien in the Award Shares as provided in
                  Paragraph J below.

G.       PRIVILEGES OF EMPLOYEE-PARTICIPANT

         Restricted Shares shall constitute issued and outstanding shares of the
Company for all corporate purposes, and the Employee-Participant shall have all
voting and (subject to any Award restrictions) all dividend, liquidation and
other rights with respect to Restricted Shares while the corresponding Award
remains in effect, as if such Employee-Participant were a holder of record of
unrestricted shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the
time at which a Restricted Share becomes a Vested Share, the
Employee-Participant's right to assign or transfer such Restricted Share shall
be subject to the limitations of Paragraph H. Certificates representing
Restricted Shares shall bear a restrictive legend disclosing the restrictions,
the existence of the Restricted Stock Option Program and the existence of the
applicable Award.

H.       NON-TRANSFERABILITY

         No right or interest of any Employee-Participant in any Award made
pursuant to the Restricted Stock Option Program shall, prior to the satisfaction
of all restrictions applicable thereto, be assignable or transferable, in whole
or in part, during the lifetime of the Employee-Participant, either voluntarily
or involuntarily, or be made subject to any lien (except as provided in
Paragraphs F and J), directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise,
including execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge or bankruptcy. In the
event of an Employee-Participant's death, his right and interest in any Award
shall, to the extent provided in the Award, be transferable by testamentary will
or the laws of descent and distribution, and the issuance of any shares subject
to an Award shall be made to the Employee-Participant's legal representatives,
heirs or legatees upon furnishing the Committee with evidence satisfactory to
the Committee of such status.

I.       WITHHOLDING TAXES

         The Company is entitled to withhold and deduct or take such other
action as delineated in Section V.C.4.

J.       LIEN ON SHARES

         The Company may, in its sole discretion, require that an
Employee-Participant, as a condition to the receipt of an Award, grant to the
Company a possessory lien on the Restricted Shares in order to secure retransfer
of the shares into the name of the Company, and ensure adequate provision for
any tax withholding obligations arising with respect to such Award, and to that
end, may require that certificates evidencing Restricted Shares be deposited by
the Employee-Participant with the Company, together with stock powers or other
instruments of assignment, each endorsed in blank, which will permit the
transfer to the Company of all or any portion of the Restricted Shares which

                                       17
<PAGE>   21

are forfeited or required to be retained to satisfy the Employee-Participant's
withholding obligations to the Company.

                                       18
<PAGE>   22

K.       SHARE ISSUANCE AND TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

         1. SHARE ISSUANCE. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
Restricted Stock Program or any Award Agreement entered into pursuant hereto,
the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate for shares
under this Restricted Stock Program unless and until both of the following are
satisfied:

                  a.       either:

                           i.       there shall be in effect with respect to
                                    such shares a registration statement under
                                    the Securities Act and any applicable state
                                    securities laws, if the Committee, in its
                                    sole discretion, shall have determined to
                                    file, cause to become effective and maintain
                                    the effectiveness of such registration
                                    statement, or

                           ii.      if the Committee has determined not to so
                                    register the shares, exemptions from
                                    registration under the Securities Act and
                                    applicable state securities laws shall be
                                    available for such issuance as determined by
                                    counsel for the Company, and there shall
                                    have been received from the
                                    Employee-Participant (or in the event of
                                    death or Disability, the
                                    Employee-Participant's heir(s) or legal
                                    representative(s)) any representations or
                                    agreements requested by the Company in order
                                    to permit such issuance to be made pursuant
                                    to such exemptions, and

                  b.       there shall have been obtained any other consent,
                           approval or permit from any state or federal
                           government agency which the Committee shall, in its
                           sole discretion and upon the advice of counsel, deem
                           necessary or advisable.

         2. TRANSFERS OF VESTED SHARES. Vested Shares may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, pledged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether voluntarily
or involuntarily) except pursuant to registration under the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions from such
registrations. The Company may condition the sale, assignment, transfer, pledge,
encumbrance or other disposition of such shares not issued pursuant to an
effective and current registration statement under the Securities Act and all
applicable state securities laws, on the receipt from the party to whom the
shares are to be so transferred of any representations or agreements requested
by the Company in order to permit such transfer to be made.

         3. LEGENDS. Unless a registration under the Securities Act is in effect
with respect to the issuance or transfer of Vested Shares, each certificate
representing such shares will be endorsed with a legend in the form determined
necessary by the Committee or its counsel.

                                       19
<PAGE>   23

L.       ACCELERATION ON CHANGE OF CONTROL

         The Committee may provide, in its sole discretion, in one or more
Awards, that notwithstanding the provisions of each Award which would result in
a forfeiture as a result of the Employee-Participant's termination of employment
with the Company prior to the Vesting of Restricted Shares, the Restricted
Shares subject to such Award shall immediately become Vested Shares as a result
of a Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
Restricted Stock Option Program, unless expressly provided to the contrary in
the Award Agreement, if Restricted Shares experience an acceleration in Vesting
on a Change of Control as permitted by the preceding sentence, the portion of
the Restricted Shares which experience such acceleration will be limited to that
number which will not cause or contribute to an "excess parachute payment" with
respect to the Employee-Participant, as reasonably determined by the Committee
in accordance with Section 280G of the Code.

M.       EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION

         The Restricted Stock Option Program shall continue in effect until it
is terminated by action of the Board, but such termination shall not affect the
then outstanding terms of any Award. No Award shall be granted more than ten
(10) years after the date of adoption of the Restricted Stock Option Program;
provided, however, that the terms and conditions applicable to any Award granted
within such period may thereafter be amended or modified by mutual agreement
between the Company and the Employee-Participant or such other persons as may
then have an interest therein. Also, by mutual agreement between the Company and
an Employee-Participant, or under any future plan of the Company, Awards may be
granted to such Employee-Participant in substitution and exchange for, and in
cancellation of, any Awards previously granted such Employee-Participant under
this Restricted Stock Option Program, or any benefit previously or thereafter
granted to him under any future plan of the Company.

N.       EXCLUSIVITY

         Nothing contained in this Restricted Stock Option Program is intended
to amend, modify or rescind any previously approved compensation plans or
programs adopted by the Company. The Restricted Stock Option Program will be
construed to be in addition to any and all such other plans or programs.

O.       AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

         The Board may amend the Restricted Stock Option Program from time to
time or terminate the Restricted Stock Option Program at any time. In addition,
the Company may amend the terms of any Award previously granted under this
Restricted Stock Option Program, prospectively or retroactively, however, no
action authorized by this Paragraph O shall impair the rights of any
Employee-Participant without his consent.

                                       20
<PAGE>   24

                              V. GENERAL PROVISIONS

A.       GOVERNMENT AND OTHER REGULATIONS

         The obligation of the Company to issue Awards under the Plan shall be
subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by
any government agencies as may be required.

B.       OTHER COMPENSATION PLANS AND PROGRAMS

         The Plan shall not be deemed to preclude the implementation by the
Company and its Subsidiaries of other compensation plans or programs which may
be in effect from time to time.

C.       MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         1. NO RIGHT TO CONTINUE EMPLOYMENT. Nothing in the Plan or in any Award
or Award Agreement confers upon any Employee-Participant the right to continue
in the employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries or interferes with or restricts
in any way the rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries to discharge any
Employee-Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without
cause.

         2. NON-TRANSFERABILITY. No right or interest of any Participant in any
Award under the Plan shall be (a) assignable or transferable, except by will or
the laws of descent and distribution, a valid beneficiary designation made in
accordance with procedures established by the Committee, or as expressly stated
herein, or (b) liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation or liability. An
ISO may be exercised only by the Participant during his lifetime, by his estate
or by the person who acquires the right to exercise such option by bequest or
inheritance.

         The Board may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of the
options to be granted to a Participant, and may also amend outstanding options
to provide, that they be on terms which permit transfer by such Participant to
(i) the spouse, children or grandchildren of the Participant (the "Immediate
Family Members"), (ii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such
Immediate Family Members, (iii) a partnership in which such Immediate Family
Members are the only partners, (iv) a limited liability company in which such
Immediate Family Members are the only members; provided that (x) there may be no
consideration for any such transfer, (y) the stock option agreement pursuant to
which such options are granted must be approved by the Board, and must expressly
provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this Section, and (z)
subsequent transfers of transferred options shall be prohibited except those in
accordance with the section(s) herein dealing with transfers by will or the laws
of descent and distribution, or pursuant to qualified domestic relations order.
Following transfer, any such options shall continue to be subject to the same
terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided
that for all purposes hereof, the term "Participant" shall be deemed to refer to
the "Transferee." The events of termination of any option will continue to be
applied with respect to the original Participant, following which the options
shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent (if at all), and for
the periods

                                       21
<PAGE>   25

specified in the Program or option agreement. The Participant in all such cases
will remain subject to and liable for the withholding taxes due or payable upon
exercise by the Transferee.

         The Board may also, in its discretion, pursuant to the requirements and
restrictions listed above except as listed in this paragraph, authorize all or a
portion of the options to be granted to a Participant, to permit a
non-conforming transfer, such as a sale to a family member or family corporation
for estate planning purposes. Nothing herein or in any action by the Board shall
be construed as an amendment to any option other than those expressly indicated
by the action of the Board.

         The Company shall not have any obligation to provide notice to the
Transferee of the termination or acceleration of an option for any reason.

         3. DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY. A Participant, in accordance with
procedures established by the Committee, may designate a person or persons to
receive, in the event of the Participant's death, (a) any payments with respect
to which the Participant would then be entitled, and (b) the right to continue
to participate in the Plan to the extent of such Participant's outstanding
Awards. Such designation shall be made upon forms supplied by and delivered to
the Company and may be revoked in writing.

         4. WITHHOLDING TAXES.

         The Company's obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock or cash upon
the exercise of stock options granted will be subject to the satisfaction of all
applicable federal, state and local income tax and employment tax withholding
requirements. The Committee (or plan administrator) may, in its discretion and
in accordance with any applicable tax or securities laws (including the
applicable safe-harbor provisions of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule
16b-3), provide any or all holders of a NQSOs (other than the automatic grants
made pursuant to Directors Stock Option Program) or unvested shares under the
Plan, with the right to use shares of the Company's Common Stock in satisfaction
of all or part of the federal, state and local income tax and employment tax
liabilities incurred by such holders in connection with the exercise of their
options or the vesting of their shares (the "Taxes"). Such right may be provided
to any such option holder in either or both of the following formats:

         (a)      Stock Withholding: The holder of the NQSO or unvested shares
                  may be provided with the election to have the Company
                  withhold, from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable
                  upon the exercise of such NQSO or the vesting of such shares,
                  a portion of those shares with an aggregate fair market value
                  not to exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the applicable
                  Taxes.

                                       22
<PAGE>   26

         (b)      Stock Delivery: Provide the holder of the NQSO or the unvested
                  shares with the election to deliver to the Company, at the
                  time the NQSO is exercised or the shares vest, one or more
                  shares of Common Stock previously acquired by such individual
                  (other than in connection with the option exercise or share
                  vesting triggering the Taxes) with an aggregate fair market
                  value equal to the designated percentage (up to 100% as
                  specified by the option holder) of the Taxes incurred in
                  connection with such option exercise or share vesting.

         5. PLAN EXPENSES. Any expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne
by the Company.

         6. CONSTRUCTION OF PLAN. The interpretation of the Plan and the
application of any rules implemented hereunder shall be determined solely in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

         7. UNFUNDED PLAN. The Plan shall be unfunded, and the Company shall not
be required to segregate any assets which may at any time be represented by
Awards. Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to an Award
under this Plan shall be based solely upon any obligations which may be created
by this Plan; no such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by
any pledge or other encumbrance on any property of the Company.

         8. BENEFIT PLAN COMPUTATIONS. Any benefits received or amounts paid to
a Participant with respect to any Award granted under the Plan shall not have
any effect on the level of benefits provided to or received by any Participant,
or the Participant's estate or beneficiary, as part of any employee benefit plan
(other than the Plan) of the Company.

         9. PRONOUNS, SINGULAR AND PLURAL. The masculine may be read as
feminine, the singular as plural and the plural as singular as necessary to give
effect to the Plan.

         10. MAXIMUM ANNUAL GRANT. In no event shall any one individual
participating in the 1997 Stock Plan, be granted stock options and/or restricted
shares for more than one and one-half percent (1.5%) of the total outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company, in the aggregate, per calendar year.

         11. PAYMENT. The exercise price will be payable in one of the
alternative forms specified below:

                  (a)      full payment in cash or check made payable to the
                           Company's order; or

                  (b)      full payment in shares of Common Stock held for the
                           requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the
                           Company's reported earnings and valued at fair market
                           value on the Exercise Date (as such term is defined
                           below); or

                                       23
<PAGE>   27

                  (c)      full payment in a combination of shares of Common
                           Stock held for the requisite period necessary to
                           avoid a charge to the Company's reported earnings and
                           valued at fair market value on the Exercise Date and
                           cash or check payable to the Company's order; or

                  (d)      full payment through a sale and remittance procedure
                           pursuant to which the Participant will provide
                           irrevocable written directives to a designated
                           brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the
                           purchased shares and remit to the Company, out of the
                           sale proceeds available on the settlement date,
                           sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise
                           price payable for the purchased shares and shall
                           concurrently provide written instructions to the
                           Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased
                           shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to
                           complete the sale transaction.

         For purposes of this subparagraph, the "exercise date" will be the date
on which written notice of the option exercise is delivered to the Company, and
the fair market value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. Except to the extent
the sale and remittance procedure specified above is utilized for the exercise
of the option, payment of the option price for the purchased shares must
accompany the exercise notice.

D.       EFFECTIVE DATE

         The Plan became effective on approval by shareholders of the Company.
The Plan and all outstanding Awards shall remain in effect until all outstanding
Awards have been exercised, expired or canceled.

                                       24

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