Document:

EX-10.1

    Exhibit 10.1

 

    BELL
    INDUSTRIES, INC.

    2007
    STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

 

    ARTICLE ONE

    

 

    GENERAL
    PROVISIONS
    

 

		
	
    A.  
	
    Purpose
    of the Plan

 

    1. This 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is
    intended to promote the interests of Bell Industries, Inc., a
    California corporation (the “Corporation”), by
    providing eligible persons with the opportunity to acquire a
    proprietary interest, or otherwise increase their proprietary
    interest, in the Corporation as an incentive for them to remain
    in the Service of the Corporation.

 

    2. Capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to
    such terms in the attached Appendix.

 

		
	
    B.  
	
    Structure
    of the Plan

 

    1. The Plan shall be divided into two separate equity
    programs:

 

    (a) the Discretionary Option Grant Program under which
    eligible persons may, at the discretion of the Plan
    Administrator, be granted options to purchase shares of Common
    Stock and stock appreciation rights; and

 

    (b) the Stock Issuance Program under which eligible persons
    may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be issued
    shares of Common Stock directly, either through the immediate
    purchase of such shares, as bonus for services rendered the
    Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or pursuant to share
    right awards which entitle Participants to receive shares upon
    the attainment of designated Performance Goals or Service
    requirements.

 

    2. The provisions of Articles One and Five shall apply
    to both equity programs under the Plan and shall govern the
    interests of all persons under the Plan.

 

		
	
    C.  
	
    Administration
    of the Plan

 

    1. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or one or
    more committees appointed by the Board, provided that with
    respect to Section 16 Insiders (a) the Board may
    administer the Plan in compliance with
    Rule 16b-3
    of the 1934 Act, or (b) the Primary Committee may, at
    the Board’s discretion, administer the Plan. Administration
    of the Plan may otherwise, at the Board’s discretion, be
    vested in the Primary Committee or a Secondary Committee. Any
    discretionary option grants or stock issuances to members of the
    Board or the Primary Committee must be authorized and approved
    by a disinterested majority of the Board.

 

    2. Members of the Primary Committee or any Secondary
    Committee shall serve for such period of time as the Board may
    determine and may be removed by the Board at any time. The Board
    may also at any time terminate the functions of the Primary
    Committee or any Secondary Committee and reassume all powers and
    authority previously delegated to such committee.

 

    3. Each Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its
    administrative functions under the Plan, have full power and
    authority (subject to the provisions of the Plan) to establish
    such rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate for proper
    administration of the Discretionary Option Grant and Stock
    Issuance Programs and to make such determinations under, and
    issue such interpretations of, the provisions of such programs
    and any outstanding options or stock issuances thereunder as it
    may deem necessary or advisable. Decisions of the Plan
    Administrator within the scope of its administrative functions
    under the Plan shall be final and binding on all parties who
    have an interest in the Discretionary Option Grant and Stock
    Issuance Programs under its jurisdiction or any option or stock
    issuance thereunder.

 

    4. Each Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its
    administrative jurisdiction under the Plan, have full authority
    to determine: (a) with respect to the option grants or
    stock appreciation rights under the Discretionary

    

    A-1

 

    Option Grant Program, which eligible persons are to receive
    grants, the time or times when such grants are to be made, the
    number of shares to be covered by each such grant, the status of
    a granted option as either an Incentive Option or a
    Non-Statutory Option, the time or times when each option is to
    become exercisable, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to
    the option shares and the maximum term for which the option is
    to remain outstanding; and (b) with respect to stock
    issuances under the Stock Issuance Program, which eligible
    persons are to receive stock issuances, the time or times when
    such issuances are to be made, the number of shares to be issued
    to each Participant, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to
    the issued shares and the consideration for such shares.

 

    5. The Plan Administrator shall have the absolute
    discretion either to grant options or stock appreciation rights
    in accordance with the Discretionary Option Grant Program or to
    effect stock issuances in accordance with the Stock Issuance
    Program.

 

    6. Service on the Primary Committee or any Secondary
    Committee shall constitute service as a Board member, and
    members of each such committee shall accordingly be entitled to
    full indemnification and reimbursement as Board members for
    their service on such committee. No member of the Primary
    Committee or any Secondary Committee shall be liable for any act
    or omission made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any
    option grants or stock issuances under the Plan.

 

		
	
    D.  
	
    Eligibility

 

    1. The persons eligible to participate in the Discretionary
    Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs are as follows:

 

    (a) Employees,

 

    (b) non-employee members of the Board or the board of
    directors of any Parent or Subsidiary, and

 

    (c) consultants and other independent advisors who provide
    services to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

 

    E.  Stock
    Subject to the Plan

 

    1. The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of
    authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including
    shares repurchased by the Corporation on the open market. The
    maximum number of shares of Common Stock initially reserved for
    issuance over the term of the Plan shall not exceed 1,000,000
    [amendment proposal: 5,000,000] shares. No one person
    participating in the Plan may receive stock options, direct
    stock issuances and share right awards for more than
    1,000,000 [amendment proposal: 2,000,000] shares of
    Common Stock in the aggregate in any calendar year.

 

    2. Shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding options
    (including options incorporated into this Plan from the
    Predecessor Plan) shall be available for subsequent issuance
    under the Plan to the extent those options expire or terminate
    for any reason prior to exercise in full. Unvested shares issued
    under the Plan and subsequently cancelled or repurchased by the
    Corporation at the original exercise or issue price paid per
    share, pursuant to the Corporation’s repurchase rights
    under the Plan, shall be added back to the number of shares of
    Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan and shall
    accordingly be available for reissuance through one or more
    subsequent option grants or direct stock issuances under the
    Plan. In addition, should the exercise price of an option under
    the Plan be paid with shares of Common Stock or should shares of
    Common Stock otherwise issuable under the Plan be withheld by
    the Corporation in satisfaction of the withholding taxes
    incurred in connection with the exercise of an option or the
    vesting of a stock issuance under the Plan, then the number of
    shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan
    shall be reduced only by the net number of shares of Common
    Stock issued to the holder of such option or stock issuance, and
    not by the gross number of shares for which the option is
    exercised or which vest under the stock issuance. However,
    shares of Common Stock underlying one or more stock appreciation
    rights exercised under Section D of Article Two of the
    Plan shall not be available for subsequent issuance under the
    Plan.

    

    A-2

 

    3. If any change is made to the Common Stock by reason of
    any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination
    of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the
    outstanding Common Stock as a class without the
    Corporation’s receipt of consideration, appropriate
    adjustments shall be made to:

 

    (a) the maximum number
    and/or class
    of securities issuable under the Plan;

 

    (b) the number
    and/or class
    of securities for which any one person may be granted stock
    options, direct stock issuances and share right awards under
    this Plan per calendar year;

 

    (c) the number
    and/or class
    of securities and the exercise price per share in effect under
    each outstanding option under the Plan;

 

    (d) the number
    and/or class
    of securities and exercise price per share in effect under each
    outstanding option incorporated into this Plan from the
    Predecessor Plan; and

 

    (e) the maximum number
    and/or class
    of securities which may be added to the Plan through the
    forfeiture, surrender, cancellation or termination of shares
    issued under the Predecessor Plan. Such adjustments to the
    outstanding options are to be effected in a manner which shall
    preclude the enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits
    under such options. The adjustments determined by the Plan
    Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

    ARTICLE TWO

    

 

    DISCRETIONARY
    OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
    

 

		
	
    A.  
	
    Option
    Terms

 

    Each option shall be evidenced by one or more documents in the
    form approved by the Plan Administrator; provided, however, that
    each such document shall comply with the terms specified below.
    Each document evidencing an Incentive Option shall, in addition,
    be subject to the provisions of the Plan applicable to such
    option.

 

    1. Exercise Price.

 

    (a) The exercise price per share shall be fixed by the Plan
    Administrator but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market
    Value per share of Common Stock on the option grant date.

 

    (b) The exercise price shall become immediately due upon
    exercise of the option and may, subject to the provisions of
    Section A of Article Five and the documents evidencing
    the option, be payable in one or more of the forms specified
    below:

 

    (i) cash or certified check made payable to the Corporation,

 

    (ii) shares of Common Stock held for the requisite period
    necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation’s earnings
    for financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value
    on the Exercise Date, or

 

    (iii) to the extent the sale complies with all applicable
    laws relating to the regulation and sale of securities, through
    a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the
    Optionee shall concurrently provide irrevocable written
    instructions to: (x) a brokerage firm to effect the
    immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the
    Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the
    settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate
    exercise price payable for the purchased shares plus all
    applicable Federal, state and local income and employment taxes
    required to be withheld by the Corporation by reason of such
    exercise; and (y) the Corporation to deliver the
    certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage
    firm in order to complete the sale.

 

    Except to the extent such sale and remittance procedure is
    utilized, payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares
    must be made on the Exercise Date.

 

    2. Exercise and Term of Options.

    

    A-3

 

    Each option shall be exercisable at such time or times, during
    such period and for such number of shares as shall be determined
    by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the documents
    evidencing the option. However, no option shall have a term in
    excess of ten years measured from the option grant date.

 

    3. Effect of Termination of Service.

 

    (a) The following provisions shall govern the exercise of
    any options held by the Optionee at the time of cessation of
    Service or death:

 

    (i) Any option outstanding at the time of the
    Optionee’s cessation of Service for any reason shall remain
    exercisable for such period of time thereafter as shall be
    determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the
    documents evidencing the option.

 

    (ii) Any option held by the Optionee at the time of death
    and exercisable in whole or in part at that time may be
    subsequently exercised by the personal representative of the
    Optionee’s estate or by the person or persons to whom the
    option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee’s will or in
    accordance with the laws of descent and distribution of by the
    Optionee’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries of that
    option.

 

    (iii) Except as otherwise determined in the discretion of
    the Plan Administrator either at the time an option is granted
    or at any time the option remains outstanding, should the
    Optionee’s Service be terminated for Misconduct or should
    the Optionee otherwise engage in Misconduct while holding one or
    more outstanding options under this Article Two, then all
    those options shall terminate immediately and cease to be
    outstanding.

 

    (b) During the applicable post-Service exercise period, the
    option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the
    number of vested shares for which the option is exercisable on
    the date of the Optionee’s cessation of Service. Upon the
    expiration of the applicable exercise period or (if earlier)
    upon the expiration of the option term, the option shall
    terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested shares for
    which the option has not been exercised. However, the option
    shall, immediately upon the Optionee’s cessation of
    Service, terminate and cease to be outstanding to the extent the
    option is not otherwise at that time exercisable for vested
    shares.

 

    (c) The Plan Administrator shall have complete discretion,
    either at the time an option is granted or at any time while the
    option remains outstanding, to:

 

    (i) extend the period of time for which the option is to
    remain exercisable following the Optionee’s cessation of
    Service from the limited exercise period otherwise in effect for
    that option to such greater period of time as the Plan
    Administrator shall deem appropriate, but in no event beyond the
    expiration of the option term, and/or

 

    (ii) permit the option to be exercised, during the
    applicable post-Service exercise period, not only with respect
    to the number of vested shares of Common Stock for which such
    option is exercisable at the time of the Optionee’s
    cessation of Service but also with respect to one or more
    additional installments in which the Optionee would have vested
    had the Optionee continued in Service.

 

    4. Shareholder Rights.

 

    The holder of an option shall have no shareholder rights with
    respect to the shares subject to the option until such person
    shall have exercised the option, paid the exercise price and
    become a holder of record of the purchased shares.

 

    5. Repurchase Rights.

 

    The Plan Administrator shall have the discretion to grant
    options which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common
    Stock. Should the Optionee cease Service while holding such
    unvested shares, the Corporation shall have the right to
    repurchase, at the exercise price paid per share, any or all of
    those unvested shares. The terms upon which such repurchase
    right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure
    for exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the
    purchased shares) shall be established by the Plan Administrator
    and set forth in the document evidencing such repurchase right.

 

    6. Limited Transferability of Options.

    

    A-4

 

    During the lifetime of the Optionee, Incentive Options shall be
    exercisable only by the Optionee and shall not be assignable or
    transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and
    distribution following the Optionee’s death. Non-Statutory
    Options shall be subject to the same limitation, except that a
    Non-Statutory Option may be assigned in whole or in part during
    Optionee’s lifetime to one or more members of the
    Optionee’s Immediate Family or to a trust established for
    the exclusive benefit of one or more members of the
    Optionee’s Immediate Family or the Optionee’s former
    spouse, to the extent such assignment is in connection with
    Optionee’s estate plan or pursuant to a domestic relations
    order. The assigned portion shall be exercisable only by the
    person or persons who acquire a proprietary interest in the
    option pursuant to such assignment. The terms applicable to the
    assigned portion shall be the same as those in effect for this
    option immediately prior to such assignment and shall be set
    forth in such documents issued to the assignee as the Plan
    Administrator may deem appropriate. Notwithstanding the
    foregoing, the Optionee may also designate one or more persons
    as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of his or her outstanding
    options under this Article Two, and those options shall, in
    accordance with such designation, automatically be transferred
    to such beneficiary or beneficiaries upon the Optionee’s
    death while holding those options. Such beneficiary or
    beneficiaries shall take the transferred option subject to all
    the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including (without
    limitation) the limited time period during which the option may
    be exercised following the Optionee’s death.

 

		
	
    B.  
	
    Incentive
    Options

 

    1. The terms specified below shall be applicable to all
    Incentive Options. Except as modified by the provisions of this
    Section B of Article Two, all the provisions of
    Articles One, Two and Five shall be applicable to Incentive
    Options. Options which are specifically designated as
    Non-Statutory Options when issued under the Plan shall NOT be
    subject to the terms of this Section B of Article Two.

 

    2. Eligibility.

 

    Incentive Options may only be granted to Employees.

 

    3. Exercise Price.

 

    The exercise price per share shall not be less than 100% of the
    Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the option grant
    date.

 

    4. Dollar Limitation.

 

    The aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock
    (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) for
    which one or more options granted to any Employee under the Plan
    (or any other option plan of the Corporation or any Parent or
    Subsidiary) may for the first time become exercisable as
    Incentive Options during any one calendar year shall not exceed
    the sum of $100,000. To the extent the Employee holds two or
    more such options which become exercisable for the first time in
    the same calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the
    exercisability of such options as Incentive Options shall be
    applied on the basis of the order in which such options are
    granted.

 

    5. Failure to Qualify as Incentive Option.

 

    To the extent that any option governed by this Plan does not
    qualify as an Incentive Option by reason of the dollar
    limitation described in Section B.4 of this
    Article Two or for any other reason, such option shall
    continue to be outstanding and exercisable in accordance with
    its terms and conditions, but as a Non-Statutory Option under
    the Federal tax laws.

 

    6. 10% Shareholder.

 

    If any Employee to whom an Incentive Option is granted is a 10%
    Shareholder, then the exercise price per share shall not be
    less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of Common
    Stock on the option grant date, and the option term shall not
    exceed five years measured from the option grant date.

    

    A-5

 

		
	
    C.  
	
    Change in
    Control/Hostile Take-Over

 

    1. No option outstanding at the time of a Change in Control
    shall become exercisable on an accelerated basis if and to the
    extent:

 

    (a) that option is, in connection with the Change in
    Control, assumed by the successor corporation (or parent
    thereof) or otherwise continued in full force and effect
    pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction,

 

    (b) such option is replaced with a cash incentive program
    of the successor corporation which preserves the spread existing
    at the time of the Change in Control on the shares of Common
    Stock for which the option is not otherwise at that time
    exercisable, provides for subsequent payout in accordance with
    the same exercise/vesting schedule applicable to those option
    shares and does not cause any IRC 409A Consequences, or

 

    (c) the acceleration of such option is subject to other
    limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time of the
    option grant.

 

    However, if none of the foregoing conditions are satisfied, then
    each option outstanding at the time of the Change in Control but
    not otherwise exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at
    that time subject to such option shall automatically accelerate
    so that each such option shall, immediately prior to the
    effective date of the Change in Control, become exercisable for
    all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such
    option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as
    fully vested shares of Common Stock.

 

    2. All of the Corporation’s outstanding repurchase
    rights under the Discretionary Option Grant Program shall also
    terminate automatically, and the shares of Common Stock subject
    to those terminated rights shall immediately vest in full, in
    the event of any Change in Control, except to the extent:

 

    (a) those repurchase rights are assigned to the successor
    corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continued in full
    force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control
    transaction or

 

    (b) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other
    limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time the
    repurchase right is issued.

 

    3. Immediately following the consummation of the Change in
    Control, all outstanding options shall terminate and cease to be
    outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor
    corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise expressly continued
    in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in
    Control transaction.

 

    4. Each option which is assumed in connection with a Change
    in Control or otherwise continued in effect shall be
    appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in
    Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which
    would have been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such
    Change in Control had the option been exercised immediately
    prior to such Change in Control. Appropriate adjustments to
    reflect such Change in Control shall also be made to:

 

    (a) the exercise price payable per share under each
    outstanding option (including options incorporated into this
    Plan from the Predecessor Plan), provided the aggregate exercise
    price payable for such securities shall remain the same;

 

    (b) the maximum number
    and/or class
    of securities available for issuance over the remaining term of
    the Plan;

 

    (c) the maximum number
    and/or class
    of securities available for issuance over the remaining term of
    the Plan;

 

    (d) the maximum number
    and/or class
    of securities for which any one person may be granted options,
    direct stock issuances and share right awards under the Plan per
    calendar year; and

 

    (e) the maximum number and class of securities which may be
    added to the Plan through the repurchase of shares issued under
    the Predecessor Plan. To the extent the actual holders of the
    Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock receive cash
    consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the
    Change in Control transaction, the successor corporation may, in
    connection with the assumption of the outstanding options under

    

    A-6

 

    the Discretionary Option Grant Program, substitute one or more
    shares of its own common stock with a fair market value
    equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of Common
    Stock in such Change in Control transaction.

 

    5. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary
    authority to structure one or more outstanding options under the
    Discretionary Option Grant Program so that those options shall,
    immediately prior to the effective date of a Change in Control,
    become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at that
    time subject to such options on an accelerated basis and may be
    exercised for any or all of such shares as fully vested shares
    of Common Stock, whether or not those options are to be assumed
    or otherwise continued in full force and effect or replaced with
    a cash incentive program pursuant to the express terms of the
    Change in Control transaction. In addition, the Plan
    Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to
    structure one or more of the Corporation’s repurchase
    rights under the Discretionary Option Grant Program so that
    those rights shall immediately terminate at the time of such
    Change in Control and shall not be assignable to the successor
    corporation (or parent thereof), and the shares subject to those
    terminated rights shall accordingly vest in full at the time of
    such Change in Control.

 

    6. The Plan Administrator shall have full power and
    authority to structure one or more outstanding options under the
    Discretionary Option Grant Program so that those options shall
    vest and become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock
    at that time subject to such options on an accelerated basis in
    the event the Optionee’s Service is subsequently terminated
    by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated
    period (not to exceed 18 months) following the effective
    date of any Change in Control in which those options do not
    otherwise accelerate. Any options so accelerated shall remain
    exercisable for fully vested shares of Common Stock until the
    expiration or sooner termination of the option term. In
    addition, the Plan Administrator may structure one or more of
    the Corporation’s repurchase rights under the Discretionary
    Option Grant Program so that those rights shall immediately
    terminate with respect to any shares of Common Stock held by the
    Optionee at the time of his or her Involuntary Termination, and
    the shares subject to those terminated repurchase rights shall
    accordingly vest in full at that time.

 

    7. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary
    authority to structure one or more outstanding options under the
    Discretionary Option Grant Program so that those options shall,
    immediately prior to the effective date of a Hostile Take-Over,
    vest and become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock
    at that time subject to such options on an accelerated basis and
    may be exercised for any or all of such shares as fully vested
    shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Plan Administrator
    shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more
    of the Corporation’s repurchase rights under the
    Discretionary Option Grant Program so that those rights shall
    terminate automatically upon the consummation of such Hostile
    Take-Over, and the shares subject to those terminated rights
    shall thereupon immediately vest in full. Alternatively, the
    Plan Administrator may condition the automatic acceleration of
    one or more outstanding options under the Discretionary Option
    Grant Program and the termination of one or more of the
    Corporation’s outstanding repurchase rights under such
    program upon the Involuntary Termination of the Optionee’s
    Service within a designated period (not to exceed
    18 months) following the effective date of such Hostile
    Take-Over. Each option so accelerated shall remain exercisable
    for fully vested shares of Common Stock until the expiration or
    sooner termination of the option term.

 

    8. The portion of any Incentive Option accelerated in
    connection with change in Control or Hostile Take-Over shall
    remain exercisable as an Incentive Option only to the extent the
    applicable $100,000 limitation is not exceeded. To the extent
    such dollar limitation is exceeded, the accelerated portion of
    such option shall be exercisable as a Non-Statutory Option under
    the Federal tax laws.

 

    9. The grant of options under the Discretionary Option
    Grant Program shall in no way affect the right of the
    Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise
    change its capital or business structure or to merge,
    consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any
    part of its business or assets.

 

		
	
    D.  
	
    Stock
    Appreciation Rights

 

    1. The Plan Administrator shall have full power and
    authority to grant to selected Optionees tandem stock
    appreciation rights
    and/or
    limited stock appreciation rights.

    

    A-7

 

    2. The following terms shall govern the grant and exercise
    of tandem stock appreciation rights:

 

    (a) One or more Optionees may be granted the right,
    exercisable upon such terms as the Plan Administrator may
    establish, to elect between the exercise of the underlying
    option for shares of Common Stock and the surrender of that
    option in exchange for a payment from the Corporation in an
    amount equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value (on
    the option surrender date) of the number of shares in which the
    Optionee is at the time vested under the surrendered option (or
    surrendered portion thereof) over (ii) the aggregate
    exercise price payable for such shares.

 

    (b) No such option surrender shall be effective unless it
    is made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant
    as approved by the Plan Administrator. If the surrender is so
    made, then the payment to which the Optionee shall be entitled
    may be made in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market
    Value on the option surrender date, in cash, or partly in shares
    and partly in cash, as the Plan Administrator in its sole
    discretion shall establish and set forth in the document
    evidencing such tandem stock appreciation right.

 

    (c) If the surrender of an option is not made in accordance
    with the terms and conditions of the grant as approved by the
    Plan Administrator, then the Optionee shall retain whatever
    rights the Optionee had under the surrendered option (or
    surrendered portion thereof) on the option surrender date and
    may exercise such rights at any time prior to the later of
    (i) five business days after the receipt of the rejection
    notice or (ii) the last day on which the option is
    otherwise exercisable in accordance with the terms of the
    documents evidencing such option.

 

    3. The following terms shall govern the grant and exercise
    of limited stock appreciation rights:

 

    (a) One or more Section 16 Insiders may be granted
    limited stock appreciation rights with respect to their
    outstanding options.

 

    (b) Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, each
    individual holding one or more options with such a limited stock
    appreciation rights shall have the unconditional right
    (exercisable for a
    30-day
    period following such Hostile Take-Over) to surrender each such
    option (or any portion thereof) to the Corporation. In return
    for the surrendered option, the Optionee shall receive a cash
    payment from the Corporation in an amount equal to the excess of
    (i) the Take-Over Price of the shares of Common Stock at
    the time subject to such option (whether or not the option is
    otherwise vested and exercisable for those shares) over
    (ii) the aggregate exercise price payable for those shares.
    Such cash payment shall be paid within five days following the
    option surrender date.

 

    (c) At the time such limited stock appreciation right is
    granted, the Plan Administrator shall pre-approve any subsequent
    exercise of that right in accordance with the terms of this
    Section D. Accordingly, no further approval of the Plan
    Administrator or the Board shall be required at the time of the
    actual option surrender and cash payment.

 

    (d) The balance of the option (if any) shall remain
    outstanding and exercisable in accordance with the documents
    evidencing such option.

 

    ARTICLE THREE

    

 

    STOCK
    ISSUANCE PROGRAM
    

 

		
	
    A.  
	
    Stock
    Issuances

 

    Shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance
    Program through direct and immediate issuances without any
    intervening option grants. Each such stock issuance shall be
    evidenced by a Stock Issuance Agreement which complies with the
    terms specified below. Shares of Common Stock may also be issued
    under the Stock Issuance Program pursuant to share right awards
    which entitle the recipients to receive those shares upon the
    attainment of designated Performance Goals or Service
    requirements.

 

		
	
    B.  
	
    Stock
    Issuance Terms

 

    1. Purchase Price.

    

    A-8

 

    (a) The purchase price per share shall be fixed by the Plan
    Administrator, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair
    Market Value per share of Common Stock on the issuance date.

 

    (b) Subject to the provisions of Section A of
    Article Five, shares of Common Stock may be issued under
    the Stock Issuance Program for any of the following items of
    consideration which the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate
    in each individual instance:

 

    (i) cash or certified check made payable to the
    Corporation, or

 

    (ii) past services rendered to the Corporation (or any
    Parent or Subsidiary).

 

    2. Vesting Provisions.

 

    (a) Shares of Common Stock issued under the Stock Issuance
    Program may, in the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be
    fully and immediately vested upon issuance or may vest in one or
    more installments over the Participant’s period of Service
    or upon attainment of specified performance objectives. The
    elements of the vesting schedule applicable to any unvested
    shares of Common Stock issued under the Stock Issuance Program
    shall be determined by the Plan Administrator and incorporated
    into the Stock Issuance Agreement. Shares of Common Stock may
    also be issued under the Stock Issuance Program pursuant to
    share right awards which entitle the recipients to receive those
    shares upon the attainment of designated Performance Goals or
    Service requirements. Upon the attainment of such Performance
    Goals or Service requirements, fully vested shares of Common
    Stock shall be issued upon satisfaction of those share right
    awards. For purposes of qualifying grants of stock as
    “performance-based compensation” under
    Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its
    discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of
    Performance Goals. The Performance Goals shall be set by the
    Administrator on or before the latest date permissible to enable
    the stock to qualify as “performance-based
    compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In
    granting stock which is intended to qualify under
    Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator shall follow
    any procedures determined by it from time to time to be
    necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the stock
    under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the
    Performance Goals).

 

    (b) Any new, substituted or additional securities or other
    property(including money paid other than as a regular cash
    dividend) which the Participant may have the right to receive
    with respect to the Participant’s unvested shares of Common
    Stock by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
    recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or
    other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class
    without the Corporation’s receipt of consideration shall be
    issued subject to: (i) the same vesting requirements
    applicable to the Participant’s unvested shares of Common
    Stock; and (ii) such escrow arrangements as the Plan
    Administrator shall deem appropriate.

 

    (c) The Participant shall have full shareholder rights with
    respect to any shares of Common Stock issued to the Participant
    under the Stock Issuance Program, whether or not the
    Participant’s interest in those shares is vested.
    Accordingly, the Participant shall have the right to vote such
    shares and to receive any regular cash dividends paid on such
    shares. The holder of a share right award shall have no
    shareholder rights with respect to such award until shares of
    Common Stock have been issued to such Participant in
    satisfaction of such award.

 

    (d) Should the Participant cease to remain in Service while
    holding one or more unvested shares of Common Stock issued under
    the Stock Issuance Program or should the performance objectives
    not be attained with respect to one or more such unvested shares
    of Common Stock, then those shares shall be immediately
    surrendered to the Corporation for cancellation, and the
    Participant shall have no further shareholder rights with
    respect to those shares. To the extent the surrendered shares
    were previously issued to the Participant for consideration paid
    in cash or cash equivalent (including the Participant’s
    purchase-money indebtedness), the Corporation shall repay to the
    Participant the cash consideration paid for the surrendered
    shares and shall cancel the unpaid principal balance of any
    outstanding purchase-money note of the Participant attributable
    to the surrendered shares.

 

    (e) The Plan Administrator may in its discretion waive the
    surrender and cancellation of one or more unvested shares of
    Common Stock which would otherwise occur upon the cessation of
    the Participant’s Service or then on-attainment of the
    performance objectives applicable to those shares. Such waiver
    shall result in the immediate vesting of the Participant’s
    interest in the shares as to which the waiver applies. Such
    waiver may be effected at

    

    A-9

 

    anytime, whether before or after the Participant’s
    cessation of Service or the attainment or non-attainment of the
    applicable performance objectives.

 

    (f) Outstanding share right awards under the Stock Issuance
    Program shall automatically terminate, and no shares of Common
    Stock shall actually be issued in satisfaction of those awards,
    if the Performance Goals or Service requirements established for
    such awards are not attained. The Plan Administrator, however,
    shall have the discretionary authority to issue shares of Common
    Stock under one or more outstanding share right awards as to
    which the designated Performance Goals or Service requirements
    have not been attained.

 

		
	
    C.  
	
    Change in
    Control/Hostile Take-Over

 

    1. All of the Corporation’s outstanding repurchase
    rights under the Stock Issuance Program shall terminate
    automatically, and all the shares of Common Stock subject to
    those terminated rights shall immediately vest in full, in the
    event of any Change in Control, except to the extent
    (a) those repurchase rights are assigned to the successor
    corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continued in full
    force and effect pursuant to the express terms of the Change in
    Control transaction or (b) such accelerated vesting is
    precluded by other limitations imposed in the Stock Issuance
    Agreement.

 

    2. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary
    authority to structure one or more of the Corporation’s
    repurchase rights under the Stock Issuance Program so that those
    rights shall automatically terminate in whole or in part upon
    the occurrence of a Change in Control and shall not be
    assignable to the successor corporation (or parent thereof), and
    the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights
    shall immediately vest in full at the time of such Change in
    Control.

 

    3. The Plan Administrator shall also have the discretionary
    authority to structure one or more of the Corporation’s
    repurchase rights under the Stock Issuance Program so that those
    rights shall automatically terminate in whole or in part, and
    the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights
    shall immediately vest in full, upon the Involuntary Termination
    of the Participant’s Service within a designated period
    (not to exceed 18 months) following the effective date of
    any Change in Control in which those repurchase rights do not
    otherwise terminate.

 

    4. The Plan Administrator shall also have the discretionary
    authority to structure one or more of the Corporation’s
    repurchase rights under the Stock Issuance Program so that those
    rights shall automatically terminate in whole or in part upon
    the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, and the shares of Common
    Stock subject to those terminated rights shall immediately vest
    in full at the time of such Hostile Take-Over.

 

    ARTICLE FOUR

 

    [RESERVED]

 

    ARTICLE FIVE

 

    MISCELLANEOUS

 

		
	
    A.  
	
    Financing

 

    The Plan Administrator may permit any Optionee or Participant to
    pay the option exercise price under the Discretionary Option
    Grant Program or the purchase price of shares issued under the
    Stock Issuance Program by delivering a full-recourse, interest
    bearing promissory note payable in one or more installments,
    provided that such purchase with a promissory note shall not be
    permitted if it will cause any violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley
    Act of 2002. The terms of any such promissory note (including
    the interest rate and the terms of repayment) shall be
    established by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion. In
    no event may the maximum credit available to the Optionee or
    Participant exceed the sum of (1) the aggregate option
    exercise price or purchase price payable for the purchased
    shares plus (2) any Federal, state and local income and
    employment tax liability incurred by the Optionee or the
    Participant in connection with the option exercise or share
    purchase.

    

    A-10

 

		
	
    B.  
	
    Share
    Escrow/Legends

 

    Unvested shares issued under the Plan may, in the Plan
    Administrator’s discretion, be held in escrow by the
    Corporation until the Participant’s interest in such shares
    vests or may be issued directly to the Participant with
    restrictive legends on the certificates evidencing those
    unvested shares.

 

		
	
    C.  
	
    Tax
    Withholding

 

    1. The Corporation’s obligation to deliver shares of
    Common Stock upon the exercise of options or the issuance or
    vesting of such shares under the Plan shall be subject to the
    satisfaction of all applicable Federal, state and local income
    and employment tax withholding requirements.

 

    2. The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, provide
    any or all holders of Non-Statutory Options or unvested shares
    of Common Stock under the Plan with the right to use shares of
    Common Stock in satisfaction of all or part of the Taxes
    incurred by such holders in connection with the exercise of
    their options or the vesting of their shares. Such right may be
    provided to any such holder in either or both of the following
    formats:

 

    (a) The election to have the Corporation withhold from the
    shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise of
    such Non-Statutory Option or the vesting of such shares, a
    portion of those shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value
    equal to the amount of the Taxes (not to exceed one hundred
    percent (100%) of such Taxes) to be satisfied in such manner as
    designated by the holder in writing; or

 

    (b) The election to deliver to the Corporation, at the time
    the Non-Statutory Option is exercised or the shares vest, one or
    more shares of Common Stock previously acquired by such holder
    (other than in connection with the option exercise or share
    vesting triggering the Taxes) with an aggregate Fair Market
    Value equal to the amount of the Taxes (not to exceed 100% of
    such Taxes) to be satisfied in such manner as designated by the
    holder in writing.

 

		
	
    D.  
	
    Effective
    Date and Term of the Plan

 

    1. The Plan shall become effective immediately upon the
    Plan Effective Date. Options may be granted under the
    Discretionary Option Grant at any time on or after the Plan
    Effective Date. However, no options granted under the Plan maybe
    exercised, and no shares shall be issued under the Plan, until
    the Plan is approved by the Corporation’s shareholders. If
    such shareholder approval is not obtained within 12 months
    after the Plan Effective Date, then all options previously
    granted under this Plan shall terminate and cease to be
    outstanding, and no further options shall be granted and no
    shares shall be issued under the Plan.

 

    2. The Plan shall serve as the successor to the Predecessor
    Plan, and no further option grants or direct stock issuances
    shall be made under the Predecessor Plan after the Plan
    Effective Date. All options outstanding under the Predecessor
    Plan on the Plan Effective Date shall be incorporated into the
    Plan at that time and shall be treated as outstanding options
    under the Plan. However, each outstanding option so incorporated
    shall continue to be governed solely by the terms of the
    documents evidencing such option, and no provision of the Plan
    shall be deemed to affect or otherwise modify the rights or
    obligations of the holders of such incorporated options with
    respect to their acquisition of shares of Common Stock.

 

    3. One or more provisions of the Plan, including (without
    limitation) the option/vesting acceleration provisions of
    Article Two relating to Changes in Control and Hostile
    Take-Overs, may, in the Plan Administrator’s discretion, be
    extended to one or more options incorporated from the
    Predecessor Plan which do not otherwise contain such provisions.

 

    4. The Plan shall terminate upon the earliest of
    (a) the tenth anniversary of the Plan Effective Date,
    (b) the date on which all shares available for issuance
    under the Plan shall have been issued as fully-vested shares or
    (c) the termination of all outstanding options in
    connection with a Change in Control. Upon such plan termination,
    all outstanding option grants and unvested stock issuances shall
    thereafter continue to have force and effect in accordance with
    the provisions of the documents evidencing such grants or
    issuances.

    

    A-11

 

		
	
    E.  
	
    Amendment
    of the Plan

 

    1. The Board shall have complete and exclusive power and
    authority to amend or modify the Plan in any or all respects.
    However, no such amendment or modification shall adversely
    affect the rights and obligations with respect to stock options,
    stock appreciation rights or unvested stock issuances at the
    time outstanding under the Plan unless the Optionee or the
    Participant consents to such amendment or modification. In
    addition, certain amendments may require shareholder approval
    pursuant to applicable laws or regulations.

 

    2. Options to purchase shares of Common Stock may be
    granted under the Discretionary Option Grant Program and shares
    of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program
    that are in each instance in excess of the number of shares then
    available for issuance under the Plan, provided any excess
    shares actually issued under those programs shall be held in
    escrow until there is obtained any required approval of an
    amendment sufficiently increasing the number of shares of Common
    Stock available for issuance under the Plan. If such approval is
    not obtained within 12 months after the date the first such
    excess issuances are made, then (a) any unexercised options
    granted on the basis of such excess shares shall terminate and
    cease to be outstanding and (b) the Corporation shall
    promptly refund to the Optionees and the Participants the
    exercise or purchase price paid for any excess shares issued
    under the Plan and held in escrow, together with interest(at the
    applicable Short Term Federal Rate) for the period the shares
    were held in escrow, and such shares shall thereupon be
    automatically cancelled and cease to be outstanding.

 

		
	
    F.  
	
    Use of
    Proceeds

 

    Any cash proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of
    shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be used for general
    corporate purposes.

 

		
	
    G.  
	
    Regulatory
    Approvals

 

    1. The implementation of the Plan, the granting of any
    stock option under the Plan and the issuance of any shares of
    Common Stock (a) upon the exercise of any granted option or
    (b) under the Stock Issuance Program shall be subject to
    the Corporation’s procurement of all approvals and permits
    required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the
    Plan, the stock options granted under it and the shares of
    Common Stock issued pursuant to it.

 

    2. No shares of Common Stock or other assets shall be
    issued or delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall
    have been compliance with all applicable requirements of Federal
    and state securities laws, including the filing and
    effectiveness of the
    Form S-8
    registration statement for the shares of Common Stock issuable
    under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements of any
    stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if applicable) on
    which Common Stock is then listed for trading.

 

		
	
    H.  
	
    No
    Employment/Service Rights

 

    Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee or the
    Participant any right to continue in Service for any period of
    specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any
    way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary
    employing or retaining such person) or of the Optionee or the
    Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each,
    to terminate such person’s Service at any time for any
    reason, with or without cause.

 

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    A-12

 

    APPENDIX

 

    The following definitions shall be in effect under the Plan:

 

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

 

    B. BOARD shall mean the Corporation’s Board of
    Directors.

 

    C. CHANGE IN CONTROL shall mean a change in ownership or
    control of the Corporation effected through any of the following
    transactions:

 

    1. a shareholder-approved merger or consolidation in which
    securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting
    power of the Corporation’s outstanding securities are
    transferred to a person or persons not related to the persons
    holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction.
    For the purpose of this subsection, the persons are
    “related” if one of them owns, directly or indirectly,
    at least 50% of the voting capital stock of the other or a third
    person owns, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent 50%
    of the voting capital stock of each of them;

 

    2. a sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
    substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to one or
    more persons that are not related, as defined in subsection 1
    above, to the Company immediately prior to the sale or
    transfer; or

 

    3. the acquisition, directly or indirectly by any person or
    related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person
    that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is
    under common control with, the Corporation), of beneficial
    ownership (within the meaning of Rule
    13d-3 of the
    1934 Act) of securities possessing more than 50% of the
    total combined voting power of the Corporation’s
    outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer
    made directly to the Corporation’s shareholders which the
    Board recommends such shareholders accept, other than a group of
    two or more persons not acting in concert for the purpose of
    acquiring, holding or disposing of such stock. The acquisition
    of additional stock by any person who immediately prior to such
    acquisition already is the beneficial owner of more than 50% of
    the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote in the
    election of directors is not a Change of Control.

 

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

 

    E. COMMON STOCK shall mean the Corporation’s common
    stock.

 

    F. CORPORATION shall mean Bell Industries, Inc., a
    California corporation, and its successors.

 

    G. DISABILITY shall means a medically determinable physical
    or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or
    can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than
    12 months and which: (1) renders the individual unable
    to engage in any substantial gainful activity; or
    (2) results in the individual receiving income replacement
    benefits for a period of not less than three months under any
    policy of long-term disability insurance maintained by a
    Corporation for the benefit of its employees.

 

    H. DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANT PROGRAM shall mean the
    discretionary option grant program in effect under the Plan.

 

    I. EMPLOYEE shall mean an “employee” of the
    Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) within the meaning of
    Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

 

    J. EXERCISE DATE shall mean the date on which the
    Corporation shall have received written notice of the option
    exercise.

 

    K. FAIR MARKET VALUE per share of Common Stock on any
    relevant date shall be determined in accordance with the
    following provisions:

 

    1. If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq
    National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be deemed
    equal to the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on
    the date in question, as such price is reported on the Nasdaq
    National Market or any successor system. If there is no closing
    selling price for

    

    A-13

 

    the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market
    Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding
    date for which such quotation exists.

 

    2. If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any Stock
    Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be deemed equal to
    the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date
    in question on the Stock Exchange determined by the Plan
    Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as
    such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of
    transactions on such exchange. If there is no closing selling
    price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the
    Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last
    preceding date for which such quotation exists.

 

    L. HOSTILE TAKE-OVER shall mean:

 

    1. the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person
    or related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a
    person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by,
    or is under common control with, the Corporation), of beneficial
    ownership (within the meaning of
    Rule 13d-3
    of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing more than 35% of
    the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s
    outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer
    made directly to the Corporation’s shareholders which the
    Board does not recommend such shareholders to accept; or

 

    2. a change in the composition of the Board over a period
    of 12 consecutive months or less such that a majority of the
    Board members ceases, by reason of one or more contested
    elections for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals
    who either: (1) have been Board members continuously since
    the beginning of such period; or (2) have been elected or
    nominated for election as Board members during such period by at
    least a majority of the Board members described in
    clause (1) who were still in office at the time the Board
    approved such election or nomination.

 

    M. IMMEDIATE FAMILY shall mean any child, stepchild,
    grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling,
    mother-in-law,
    father-in-law,
    son-in-law,
    daughter-in-law,
    brother-in-law,
    or
    sister-in-law,
    and shall include adoptive relationships.

 

    N. INCENTIVE OPTION shall mean an option which satisfies
    the requirements of Code Section 422.

 

    O. INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION shall mean the termination of
    the Service of any individual which occurs by reason of:

 

    1. such individual’s involuntary dismissal or
    discharge by the Corporation for reasons other than
    Misconduct, or

 

    2. such individual’s voluntary resignation following
    (a) a change in his or her position with the Corporation
    which materially reduces his or her level of responsibility or
    the level of management to which Optionee reports, (b) a
    reduction in his or her level of compensation (including base
    salary, fringe benefits and participation in any
    corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by more
    than 15% or (c) a relocation of such individual’s
    place of employment by more than 50 miles, provided and
    only if such change, reduction or relocation is effected by the
    Corporation without the individual’s consent.

 

    P. IRC 409A CONSEQUENCES shall mean, to the extent imposed
    by Section 409A of the Code, (1) inclusion in gross
    income of deferred compensation from current and prior years,
    (2) interest liability on deferred taxes at increased
    federal rate and (3) 20% excise tax on deferred
    compensation.

 

    Q. MISCONDUCT shall mean the commission of any act of
    fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by the Optionee or
    Participant, any unauthorized use or disclosure by such person
    of confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation
    (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional
    misconduct by such person adversely affecting the business or
    affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a
    material manner. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to
    be inclusive of all the acts or omissions which the Corporation
    (or any Parent or Subsidiary) may consider as grounds for the
    dismissal or discharge of any Optionee, Participant or other
    person in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or
    Subsidiary).

 

    R. NON-STATUTORY OPTION shall mean an option not intended
    to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422.

    

    A-14

 

    S. OPTIONEE shall mean any person to whom an option is
    granted under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.

 

    T. PARENT shall mean any corporation (other than the
    Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with
    the Corporation, provided each corporation in the unbroken chain
    (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time of the
    determination, stock possessing 50% or more of the total
    combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the
    other corporations in such chain.

 

    U. PARTICIPANT shall mean any person who is issued shares
    of Common Stock or a share right award under the Stock Issuance
    Program.

 

    V. PERFORMANCE GOALS shall mean the goal(s) (or combined
    goal(s)) determined by the Administrator (in its discretion) to
    be applicable to a Participant with respect to a share of stock.
    As determined by the Administrator, the Performance Goals shall
    be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of
    Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and shall be based upon
    one or more of the following performance-based business
    criteria, either on a business unit or Company-specific basis or
    in comparison with peer group performance: net sales; gross
    sales; return on net assets; return on assets; return on equity;
    return on capital; return on revenues; asset turnover; economic
    value added; total shareholder return; net income; pre-tax
    income; operating profit margin; net income margin; sales
    margin; market share; inventory turnover; days sales
    outstanding; sales growth; capacity utilization; increase in
    customer base; cash flow; book value; share price performance
    (including options and stock appreciation rights tied solely to
    appreciation in the fair market of the shares of Common Stock);
    earnings per share; stock price earnings ratio; earnings before
    interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses
    (“EBITDA”); earnings before interest and taxes
    (“EBIT”); or EBITDA, EBIT or earnings before taxes and
    unusual or nonrecurring items as measured either against the
    annual budget or as a ratio to revenue. The Performance Goals
    may differ for each Participant and for each stock grant.

 

    W. PLAN shall mean the Corporation’s 2005 Stock
    Incentive Plan, as set forth in this document.

 

    X. PLAN ADMINISTRATOR shall mean the particular entity,
    whether the Board, the Primary Committee or the Secondary
    Committee, which is authorized to administer the Discretionary
    Option Grant and Stock Issuance Programs with respect to one or
    more classes of eligible persons, to the extent such entity is
    carrying out its administrative functions under those programs
    with respect to the persons under its jurisdiction.

 

    Y. PLAN EFFECTIVE DATE shall mean the date on which the
    Plan was adopted by the Board.

 

    Z. PREDECESSOR PLAN shall mean the Corporation’s 2001
    Stock Option Plan, as in effect immediately prior to the Plan
    Effective Date hereunder.

 

    AA. PRIMARY COMMITTEE shall mean a committee of two
    (2) or more Board members appointed by the Board to
    administer the Plan with respect to Section 16 Insiders,
    which shall be constituted in such a manner as to permit grants
    under the Plan in compliance with
    Rule 16b-3
    of the 1934 Act and Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

    BB. SECONDARY COMMITTEE shall mean a committee of two
    (2) or more Board members appointed by the Board to
    administer any aspect of Plan not administered by the Primary
    Committee. The members of the Secondary Committee may be Board
    members who are Employees eligible to receive discretionary
    option grants or direct stock issuances under the Plan or any
    other stock option, stock appreciation, stock bonus or other
    stock plan of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

 

    CC. SECTION 16 INSIDER shall mean an officer or
    director of the Corporation subject to the short-swing profit
    liabilities of Section 16 of the 1934 Act.

 

    DD. SERVICE shall mean the performance of services for the
    Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) by a person in the
    capacity of an Employee, anon-employee member of the board of
    directors or a consultant or independent advisor, except to the
    extent otherwise specifically provided in the documents
    evidencing the option grant or stock issuance.

 

    EE. SHORT TERM FEDERAL RATE shall mean the federal
    short-term rate in effect under Section 1274(d) of the Code
    at the beginning of the period the shares were held in escrow.

    

    A-15

 

    FF. STOCK EXCHANGE shall mean either the American Stock
    Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange.

 

    GG. STOCK ISSUANCE AGREEMENT shall mean the agreement
    entered into by the Corporation and the Participant at the time
    of issuance of shares of Common Stock under the Stock Issuance
    Program.

 

    HH. STOCK ISSUANCE PROGRAM shall mean the stock issuance
    program in effect under the Plan.

 

    II. SUBSIDIARY shall mean any corporation (other than the
    Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with
    the Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last
    corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the time of the
    determination, stock possessing 50% or more of the total
    combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the
    other corporations in such chain.

 

    JJ. TAKE-OVER PRICE shall mean the greater of (1) the
    Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date the
    option is surrendered to the Corporation in connection with a
    Hostile Take-Over or, if applicable, (2) the highest
    reported price per share of Common Stock paid by the tender
    offeror in effecting the Hostile Take-Over through the
    acquisition of such Common Stock. However, if the surrendered
    option is an Incentive Option, the Take-Over Price shall not
    exceed the price per share described in clause (1) above.

 

    KK. TAXES shall mean the Federal, state and local income
    and employment tax liabilities incurred by the holder of
    Non-Statutory Options or unvested shares of Common Stock in
    connection with the exercise of those options or the vesting of
    those shares.

 

    LL. 10% SHAREHOLDER shall mean the owner of stock (as
    determined under Code Section 424(d)) possessing more than
    10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
    of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

    

    A-16EX-10.1

EXHIBIT 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of October 15, 2008, between
Developers Diversified Realty Corporation, an Ohio corporation (“DDR” or the “Company”), and Scott
A. Wolstein (“Wolstein”).

Wolstein has been and is now serving DDR as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Wolstein and
DDR have heretofore been party to an employment agreement. DDR and Wolstein desire to enter into
this Agreement to reflect the terms pursuant to which Wolstein will continue to serve DDR.
(Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in Section
24 of this Agreement.)

DDR and Wolstein agree, effective as of the date first set forth above (the “Effective Date”), as
follows:

1. Employment, Term. DDR engages and employs Wolstein to render such services in the
administration and operation of its affairs as are customarily performed by Chief Executive
Officers of companies similar in size to, and in a similar business as, the Company, together with
such other duties as, from time to time, may be specified by its Board of Directors (the “Board”)
in a manner consistent with his status as Chief Executive Officer, all in accordance with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for an initial term extending from the Effective Date through
December 31, 2009. Effective December 31, 2008 and on each succeeding December 31 thereafter
occurring during the term of Wolstein’s employment under this Agreement, the term of that
employment will be automatically extended for one additional calendar year unless (a) either party
has given written notice to the other at least 30 days in advance of the date on which the term
would otherwise be automatically extended that the term should not be so extended, or (b)
Wolstein’s employment under this Agreement has been earlier terminated in accordance with the
provisions of one of Sections 7.2 through 7.6 of this Agreement. Thus, for
example, if, as of December 31, 2010, Wolstein’s employment has not been terminated under any of
Sections 7.2 through 7.6 of this Agreement and neither party had given notice to
the other, by not later than December 1, 2010, of its intention that the term not be renewed, the
term of Wolstein’s employment under this Agreement would be automatically extended, as of December
31, 2010, for one additional year to December 31, 2012. The term of Wolstein’s employment under
this Agreement is sometimes referred to below as the “Contract Period.”

2. Full-Time Services. Throughout the Contract Period, Wolstein will devote substantially
all of his business time and efforts to the service of DDR, except for (a) usual vacation periods
and reasonable periods of illness, (b) reasonable periods of time devoted to his personal financial
affairs, and (c) services as a director or trustee of other corporations or organizations, either
for profit or not for profit, that are not in competition with DDR.

3. Executive Officer and Board Member. Unless and until Wolstein and DDR mutually agree
otherwise, throughout the Contract Period, Wolstein will hold the office of Chief Executive Officer
of DDR and DDR will use its best efforts to cause Wolstein to be elected to the Board at each
annual meeting of the shareholders of DDR. Unless and until Wolstein and DDR mutually agree
otherwise, so long as Wolstein remains as Chief Executive Officer of DDR: (a) he will not be
required to report to any single individual but will report only to the Board as an entire body;
(b) no other individual will be elected or appointed as Chief Executive Officer of DDR; (c) the
President of DDR will report to no individual other than
Wolstein; and (d) no individual or group of individuals (including any committee established or
other designee appointed by the Board) will have any authority over or equal to the authority of
Wolstein in his

 

 

role as Chief Executive Officer, and none of DDR, the Board, or any member of the
Board will take any action that will or could have the effect, or appear to have the effect, of
giving such authority to any other individual or group.

4. Compensation.  For all services to be rendered by Wolstein to DDR under this Agreement
during the Contract Period, including services as an officer, director, Chairman of the Board, or
member of any committee of the Board, or any other services specified by the Board, DDR will pay
and provide to Wolstein the compensation and benefits specified in this Section 4.

4.1 Base Salary. From and after the Effective Date, DDR will pay Wolstein base
salary (the “Base Salary”), in equal monthly or more frequent installments, at the rate of
not less than Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000) per year, subject to such increases
as the Board may approve.

4.2 Annual Bonus. In addition to an annual base salary, if Wolstein achieves the
factors and criteria for annual bonus compensation hereinafter described for any calendar
year of the Company, then the Company shall pay annual bonus compensation to Wolstein for
such calendar year (an “Annual Bonus”), not later than 75 days following the end of each
calendar year, determined and calculated in accordance with the percentages set forth on
Exhibit A attached hereto. 50% of the total dollar amount of each Annual Bonus
shall be paid in cash and the remaining 50% of the total dollar amount of each Annual Bonus
shall be paid in the form of equity awards, including, without limitation, restricted shares
and/or options to purchase common shares of the Company, upon terms and conditions as
determined by the Company. For purposes of determining the number of any restricted shares
and/or the number of any options to purchase common shares of the Company that are awarded
in payment of the amount of each Annual Bonus that is to be paid in the form of equity
awards, the value of those restricted shares and/or options shall be determined based on the
fair market value of the common shares of the Company on the date of grant and using the
same methodology and the same valuation assumptions as are utilized by the Company for
determining the value of those restricted shares and/or options for financial statement
reporting purposes. The Company’s award of Annual Bonus compensation to Wolstein shall be
determined by the factors and criteria, including the financial performance of the Company
and the performance by Wolstein of his duties hereunder, that may be established from time
to time for the calculation of Annual Bonus awards by the Executive Compensation Committee
(the “Committee”) of the Board after consultation with Wolstein. The performance metrics
and specific targets applicable to the Company’s award of Annual Bonus compensation to
Wolstein for the calendar year ended December 31, 2008 have been communicated in writing to
Wolstein by the Company as of the date of this Agreement. For each of the Company’s
calendar years in the Contract Period subsequent to 2008, the Company will provide Wolstein
with written notice of the performance metrics to be used and the specific targets
applicable to the Company’s award of Annual Bonus compensation to Wolstein for such calendar
year not later than March 15 of such year in a format substantially similar to that provided
by the Company to Wolstein as described in the immediately preceding sentence of this
Section 4.2.

4.3 Supplemental Equity Awards. Wolstein shall be entitled to participate in any
equity or other employee benefit plan that is generally available to senior executive
officers, as distinguished from general management, of the Company, including, without
limitation, outperformance award plans and supplemental equity award plans. Wolstein’s
participation in and benefits under any
such plan shall be on the terms and subject to the conditions specified in the governing
documents of the particular plan.

2

 

5. Benefits.

5.1 Retirement and Other Benefit Plans Generally. Throughout the Contract Period,
Wolstein will be entitled to participate in all retirement and other benefit plans
maintained by DDR that are generally available to its employees and with respect to which he
is eligible pursuant to the terms of the underlying plan or plans, including, without
limitation, the DDR 401(k) plan for its employees and any DDR deferred compensation program.

5.2 Insurance, Generally. Throughout the Contract Period, DDR will provide to
Wolstein and his family life, medical, hospitalization, vision, and dental insurance with
coverage and benefits and at a cost to Wolstein that is at least as favorable as that
provided to Wolstein and his family immediately before the Effective Date and at least as
favorable as that provided to any other executive officer of DDR from time to time during
the Contract Period.

5.3 Insurance, Disability. Except as otherwise provided in the last sentence of
this Section 5.3, DDR will maintain disability insurance in effect with respect to
Wolstein during the Contract Period sufficient to pay to Wolstein a monthly benefit in the
event of disability of at least $46,500 per month through age 65 (or, as to so much of that
monthly amount as has previously been provided through a policy that will pay a monthly
benefit only for a shorter term, through the end of that shorter term). If DDR determines
not to continue any particular disability insurance policy for Wolstein described in this
Section 5.3, DDR’s obligation to continue to maintain such disability insurance
policy will terminate, and DDR will self-insure the disability benefit that would have been
provided to Wolstein had such disability insurance policy remained in effect through the
date, if any, on which Wolstein would otherwise have qualified for benefits under such
disability insurance policy, and DDR will pay the same disability benefit to Wolstein that
would have otherwise been provided under such disability insurance policy.

5.4 Vacation and Sick Leave. Wolstein will be entitled to such periods of vacation
and sick leave as is consistent with historical practices as established before the
Effective Date and as may be determined by him in his reasonable and good faith discretion
(but in any event not less than four weeks per year or such longer period as may be provided
under the DDR vacation and sick leave policy for executive officers).

5.5 Personal Use of Airplane. For purposes of security and efficiency, DDR will
provide to Wolstein the right to use a “Company Plane” for personal purposes on an “as
needed, as available” basis (giving first priority to the business needs of DDR with respect
to the use of any particular airplane at any particular time), which personal use will be
measured in terms of “Flight Hours” per calendar year during the Contract Period. For these
purposes, “Company Plane” means any airplane that is leased by DDR in whole or in part or in
which DDR owns a whole or fractional interest, and “Flight Hour” means one hour of use of a
Company Plane in flight operations, as recorded on the airplane hour meter and measured in
one-tenth of an hour increments. For each Flight Hour that is used by Wolstein for personal
use per calendar year during the Contract Period, Wolstein will make a reconciling payment
to DDR based on Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rules then in effect in accordance with
the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations (such reconciling payment, the “SIFL
Payment”). After the end of each calendar year during the Contract Period, DDR will
determine the full cost of all of Wolstein’s personal use of Company Planes during that
calendar year (such full cost, calculated in
accordance with DDR’s standard practices, including a standard hourly rate, surcharges, fuel
charges, and a proportionate part of any aircraft management fee, the “Full Cost”) and will
deduct the SIFL Payment from the Full Cost to determine the “Perquisite Cost” of the Flight
Hours used

3

 

by Wolstein for personal purposes during the calendar year. If the Perquisite
Cost calculated for any calendar year during the Contract Period exceeds $300,000, Wolstein
shall make an additional reconciling payment to DDR equal to the amount by which the
Perquisite Cost exceeds $300,000. Any reconciling payment provided for in this Section
5.5 will be made by not later than March 15th of the year immediately
following the calendar year to which the reconciling payment relates, and will be made by
Wolstein only to the extent permitted under then-existing Federal Aviation Administration
rules and regulations. Neither the amount of any reconciling payment nor the value of
Wolstein’s personal use of any Company Plane will be treated as an increase or decrease (as
the case may be) in Base Salary or otherwise taken into account in determining the amount of
any Annual Bonus, long-term incentive compensation or benefits payable or provided to
Wolstein under this Agreement.

6. Expense Reimbursement. DDR will reimburse Wolstein or provide him with an expense
allowance during the Contract Period for travel, entertainment, and other expenses reasonably and
necessarily incurred by him in connection with DDR’s business. Wolstein will provide such
documentation with respect to expenses to be reimbursed as DDR may reasonably request.

7. Termination.

7.1 Upon Expiration following Notice of Non-Renewal. If either party gives timely
written notice to the other of his or its intention to discontinue the otherwise automatic
renewal of the term of Wolstein’s employment hereunder (a “Non-Renewal Notice”) as
contemplated by clause (a) of Section 1 above, that term will terminate at the close
of business on December 31, 2009 (if the term has never been automatically renewed) or on
such later December 31 through which the term has previously been automatically renewed as
contemplated by Section 1 above.

7.2 Death or Disability. Wolstein’s employment under this Agreement will terminate
immediately upon his death. DDR may terminate Wolstein’s employment under this Agreement
immediately upon giving notice of termination if Wolstein is Totally Disabled (as that term
is defined in Section 11.1 below) for an aggregate of 120 days in any consecutive 12
calendar months or for 90 consecutive days.

7.3 For Cause by DDR.

(a) Before or More than Three Years After a Change in Control. DDR may
terminate Wolstein’s employment under this Agreement for “Cause” at any time that is
either (x) before the occurrence of a Change in Control or (y) more than three years
after the occurrence of the most recent Change in Control, upon the occurrence of
any of the following circumstances: 

(i) (A) Wolstein commits a fraud or a felony or an act that is not or a
series of acts that are not taken in good faith and (B) the commission of
such fraud, felony or act or series of acts results in material injury to
the business reputation of DDR.

(ii) Wolstein commits an act or series of repeated acts of dishonesty that
are materially inimical to the best interests of DDR.

4

 

(iii) Other than as a result of disability, Wolstein consistently fails to
perform his duties and responsibilities as specified in Sections 1
and 2 above and the failure continues for 15 days after the Board
has advised him in writing of that failure.

(iv) Wolstein has materially breached any provision of this Agreement (other
than Section 1 or 2 above, as to any breach of which
Section 7.3(a)(iii) would apply) and the breach has not been cured
in all substantial respects within 30 days after the Board has advised him
in writing of the nature of the breach.

(b) Within Three Years After a Change in Control. During any period
beginning upon the occurrence of any Change in Control and ending on the third
anniversary of that and any later Change in Control, DDR may terminate Wolstein’s
employment under this Agreement for “Cause” only if DDR has grounds for a
“Termination for Cause” as that term is defined in the Change in Control Agreement.

(c) If DDR notifies Wolstein that it is terminating his employment for Cause under
this Section 7.3, whether pursuant to Section 7.3(a) or
7.3(b), Wolstein will have the right to have the justification for the
termination determined by arbitration. Wolstein may exercise this right by serving
a written request for arbitration on DDR within 30 days after his receipt of notice
of the termination for Cause from DDR. Upon receipt of any such request for
arbitration from Wolstein, DDR will promptly request the appointment of three
arbitrators by the American Arbitration Association and thereafter the question of
Cause will be determined as provided in Section 22.1. Both Wolstein and DDR
will use all reasonable efforts to facilitate and expedite any such arbitration and
will act to cause the arbitration to be completed as promptly as possible. During
the pendency of the arbitration, DDR will continue to pay and provide to Wolstein
all compensation and benefits to which he is entitled during the continuation of his
employment under this Agreement (without regard to the purported termination of that
employment by DDR). If at any time during the pendency of any such arbitration DDR
fails to pay and provide all compensation and benefits to Wolstein in a timely
manner, DDR will be deemed to have automatically waived whatever rights it then may
have had to terminate Wolstein’s employment for Cause and DDR’s notice of
termination will be deemed to be automatically rescinded.

7.4 For Good Reason by Wolstein. Wolstein may terminate his employment under this
Agreement for “Good Reason” if any of the following circumstances occur:

(a) DDR materially changes Wolstein’s duties and responsibilities from those set
forth in Sections 1 and 3 above and the change has not been
rescinded to Wolstein’s satisfaction within 15 days after Wolstein has advised DDR
in writing of dissatisfaction with the change.

(b) DDR changes Wolstein’s place of employment or its principal executive offices to
a location that is more than 50 miles from the geographical center of Cleveland,
Ohio.

(c) DDR materially breaches any of its obligations under this Agreement (other than
its obligations under Sections 1 and 3 above, as to any breach of
which Section 7.4(a) would apply) and the breach is not cured in all
material respects within 30 days after Wolstein has advised the Board in writing of
the breach.

5

 

7.5 Without Cause by DDR. DDR may terminate Wolstein’s employment under this
Agreement at any time without Cause pursuant to written notice provided to Wolstein not less
than ninety days in advance of such termination upon the affirmative vote of a majority of
all of the members of the Board (other than Wolstein). Any termination under this
Section 7.5 will be effective at such time as the Board may specify in that written
notice.

7.6 Without Good Reason by Wolstein. Wolstein may terminate his employment under
this Agreement at any time without Good Reason pursuant to written notice provided to DDR
not less than ninety days in advance of such termination. Any termination under this
Section 7.6 will be effective at such time as Wolstein may specify in that written
notice.

7.7 Impact of Service as Chairman. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
any of (a) this Agreement, (b) any annual long-term incentive compensation plan or program
of the Company, (c) any annual long-term incentive compensation award agreement between the
Company and Wolstein, (d) any equity awards granted or issued pursuant to any outperformance
award plans (including the Outperformance Long-Term Incentive Plan) or any supplemental
equity award plans (including the 2007 Supplemental Equity Plan) of the Company, if, at any
time during the Contract Period, Wolstein resigns his position as Chief Executive Officer
while remaining Chairman of the Board, (x) such resignation as Chief Executive Officer shall
not, by itself, be deemed to have the impact of a termination of Wolstein’s employment for
purposes of any continued vesting or exercise of any and all equity awards previously or
thereafter provided to Wolstein by the Company, including any and all equity awards provided
under Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of this Agreement, under any outperformance award
plan, or under any supplemental equity award plans, and (y) Wolstein’s continued service as
Chairman of the Board (through the date on which Wolstein ceases to hold the position of
Chairman of the Board) will be deemed for purposes of the agreements, plans and programs
described in this Section 7.7, to constitute continued service by Wolstein as an
employee of the Company though such date on which Wolstein ceases to hold the position of
Chairman of the Board.

8. Payments upon Termination.

8.1 Upon Termination For Cause or Without Good Reason. If Wolstein’s employment
under this Agreement is terminated by DDR for Cause or by Wolstein without Good Reason
(which, for all purposes of this Agreement, will include termination of Wolstein’s
employment upon expiration of the term as contemplated by Section 7.1 if the
Non-Renewal Notice was given by Wolstein), DDR will pay and provide to Wolstein his Base
Salary through the Termination Date to the extent not already paid and continuing life,
disability, medical, hospitalization, vision, and dental insurance at the levels specified
in Section 5.2 through the Termination Date, and, except as may otherwise be
required by law, DDR will not pay or provide to Wolstein any further compensation or other
benefits under this Agreement. DDR will pay any Base Salary referred to in this Section
8.1 to Wolstein within 30 days of the Termination Date.

8.2 Upon Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason. If Wolstein’s employment
under this Agreement is terminated by DDR without Cause (which, for all purposes of this
Agreement, will include termination of Wolstein’s employment upon expiration of the term as
contemplated by Section 7.1 if the Non-Renewal Notice was given by DDR) or by
Wolstein for Good Reason, DDR will pay and provide to Wolstein the amounts and benefits
specified in this Section 8.2, except that DDR will not be obligated to pay the lump
sum amounts specified in either of Sections 8.2(c) or 8.2(d) unless either
(x) DDR is deemed to have waived the obligation to provide a Release as provided in
Section 10.2 or (y) Wolstein has timely executed a Release as

6

 

contemplated by Section 10.3. The amounts and benefits specified in this
Section 8.2 are as follows:

(a) Wolstein’s Base Salary through the Termination Date, to the extent not already
paid. DDR will pay this amount to Wolstein within 30 days of the Termination Date.

(b) The amount of the Annual Bonus with respect to the immediately preceding
calendar year, to the extent not already paid. DDR will pay this amount to Wolstein
on the same date and in the same amount that the Annual Bonus for that year would
have been paid if Wolstein’s employment had not been terminated, but in any event
not later than March 15 of the current year.

(c) If the Termination Date is on or prior to December 31, 2008, a lump sum amount
equal to $5 million. Except as otherwise provided in Section 16.2, DDR will
pay this amount to Wolstein during the Seventh Month after the Termination Date.

(d) If the Termination Date is after December 31, 2008, a lump sum amount equal to
the greater of (i) $5 million or (ii) the sum of (A) Wolstein’s Base Salary for the
calendar year in which the termination occurs plus (B) the amount of Annual Bonus
paid or payable, as the case may be, to Wolstein for the calendar year immediately
preceding the calendar year in which such Termination Date occurs. Except as
otherwise provided in Section 16.2, DDR will pay this amount to Wolstein
during the Seventh Month after the Termination Date.

(e) Continuing life, disability, medical, hospitalization, vision, and dental
insurance to Wolstein and his family at the levels specified in Section 5.2
through the first anniversary of the Termination Date. To assure compliance with
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, the timing of the provision of these
benefits will be subject to Sections 16.1 and 16.3 if and to the
extent either of those sections is applicable according to its terms.

(f) Notwithstanding any provision of any annual long-term incentive compensation
plan or program of the Company, or any provision in any annual long-term incentive
compensation award agreement between the Company and Wolstein, all restricted shares
and similar equity awards granted to Wolstein that vest based solely upon Wolstein’s
continued employment with the Company or the passage of time, and which awards have
not otherwise vested, shall vest immediately upon the Termination Date. To the
extent applicable, the Company and Wolstein each intend the provisions of this
Section 8.2(f) to operate as an amendment to all relevant provisions of any
equity compensation plans or programs of the Company and all relevant equity
compensation award agreements between the Company and Wolstein specifically to
effect the intent of this Section 8.2(f); provided, however, that,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, this Section
8.2(f) shall not apply to any equity awards granted or issued pursuant to any
outperformance award plans (including the Outperformance Long-Term Incentive Plan)
or supplemental equity award plans (including the 2007 Supplemental Equity Plan) of
the Company, which awards shall vest and be exercisable pursuant to the terms of
such plans.

(g) Notwithstanding any provision of any annual long-term incentive compensation
plan or program of the Company, or any provision in any annual long-term incentive
compensation award agreement between the Company and Wolstein, all stock options

7

 

and similar equity awards granted to Wolstein by the Company that have not otherwise
vested shall be vested immediately upon the Termination Date. To the extent
applicable, the Company and Wolstein each intend the provisions of this Section
8.2(g) to operate as an amendment to all relevant provisions of any equity
compensation plans or programs of the Company and all relevant equity compensation
award agreements between the Company and Wolstein specifically to effect the intent
of this Section 8.2(g); provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in the foregoing, this Section 8.2(g) shall not apply to any
equity awards granted or issued pursuant to any outperformance award plans
(including the Outperformance Long-Term Incentive Plan) or supplemental equity award
plans (including the 2007 Supplemental Equity Plan) of the Company, which awards
shall vest and be exercisable pursuant to the terms of such plans.

8.3 Upon Termination by Reason of Death. If Wolstein’s employment under this
Agreement is terminated by reason of his death, DDR will pay, or cause to be paid, and
provide, or cause to be provided, to Wolstein’s personal representative and his family, as
appropriate, the amounts and benefits specified in this Section 8.3. The amounts
and benefits specified in this Section 8.3 are as follows:

(a) Wolstein’s Base Salary through the Termination Date, to the extent not already
paid. DDR will pay this amount to Wolstein’s personal representative within 30 days
of the Termination Date.

(b) The amount of the Annual Bonus with respect to the immediately preceding
calendar year, to the extent not already paid. DDR will pay this amount to
Wolstein’s personal representative on the same date and in the same amount that the
Annual Bonus for that year would have been paid if Wolstein’s employment had not
been terminated, but in any event not later than March 15 of the current year.

(c) Continuing life, disability, medical, hospitalization, vision, and dental
insurance to Wolstein’s family at the levels specified in Section 5.2
through the first anniversary of the Termination Date. To assure compliance with
Section 409A, the timing of the provision of these benefits will be subject to
Sections 16.1 and 16.3 if and to the extent either of those sections
is applicable according to its terms.

8.4 Upon Termination by Reason of Disability. If Wolstein’s employment under this
Agreement is terminated by DDR pursuant to Section 7.2 following Wolstein’s
disability, DDR will pay and provide to Wolstein and his family, as appropriate, the amounts
and benefits specified in this Section 8.4, except that DDR will not be obligated to
pay the lump sum amounts specified in either of Sections 8.4(c) or 8.4(d)
unless either (x) DDR is deemed to have waived the obligation to provide a Releases as
provided in Section 10.2 or (y) Wolstein (or his personal representative) has timely
executed a Release as contemplated by Section 10.3. The amounts and benefits
specified in this Section 8.4 are as follows:

(a) Wolstein’s Base Salary through the Termination Date, to the extent not already
paid. DDR will pay this amount to Wolstein within 30 days of the Termination Date.

(b) The amount of the Annual Bonus with respect to the immediately preceding
calendar year, to the extent not already paid. DDR will pay this amount to Wolstein
on the same date and in the same amount that the Annual Bonus for that year would
have been paid if

8

 

Wolstein’s employment had not been terminated, but in any event not later than
March 15 of the current year.

(c) A lump sum amount equal to two times Wolstein’s Base Salary in effect on the
Termination Date. DDR will pay this amount to Wolstein during the Seventh Month
after the Termination Date.

(d) A lump sum amount payable entirely in cash and equal to a pro rata portion of
the entire Annual Bonus with respect to the calendar year in which Wolstein’s
employment is terminated by DDR pursuant to Section 7.2 following Wolstein’s
disability. For purposes of determining this lump sum amount, the entire Annual
Bonus with respect to the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs will be
calculated as follows: (i) for any applicable performance metrics with specific
quantifiable targets, achievement of such targets will be evaluated based on actual
results for the entire calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs; and (ii)
for any applicable discretionary or other metrics, Wolstein’s performance will be
evaluated based on his individual performance during the portion of such calendar
year ending on the Termination Date. The pro rata portion of the entire Annual
Bonus (calculated in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence)
will be based on the number of days in the portion of the calendar year ending on
the Termination Date as compared to the number of days in the entire calendar year.
DDR will pay this lump sum amount to Wolstein on the same date that the Annual Bonus
for that year would have been paid if Wolstein’s employment had not been terminated,
but in any event not later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which Wolstein’s employment is terminated by DDR pursuant to Section
7.2 following Wolstein’s disability.

For the avoidance of doubt, the following example illustrates the application of
this Section 8.4(d): assuming that (1) Wolstein’s employment is terminated
by DDR pursuant to Section 7.2 on May 1, 2009, (2) Wolstein’s target Annual
Bonus opportunity for 2009 (established before Wolstein’s employment was so
terminated) was $100,000, of which $80,000 was dependent on performance metrics with
specific quantifiable targets and $20,000 was dependent on a discretionary
evaluation of Wolstein’s individual performance, (3) actual results for 2009 equaled
110% achievement of the specific quantifiable targets, and (4) Wolstein’s individual
performance during the period from January 1, 2009 through May 1, 2009 was evaluated
as meeting 100% of expectations, then: (A) the entire Annual Bonus for 2009 for
Wolstein would be $108,000 (representing the sum of $88,000 (which is 110% of the
$80,000 portion of the target Annual Bonus opportunity dependent on specific
quantifiable targets) plus $20,000 (which is 100% of the $20,000 portion of the
target Annual Bonus opportunity dependent on the discretionary evaluation of
Wolstein’s individual performance)); and (B) the lump sum amount payable pursuant to
this Section 8.4(d) would be $35,803 (representing the entire Annual Bonus
for 2009 of $108,000 multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is 121 (which
is the number of days during the period from January 1, 2009 through May 1, 2009)
and the denominator of which is 365 (which is the number of days in 2009).

(e) Continuing life, disability, medical, hospitalization, vision, and dental
insurance to Wolstein and his family at the levels specified in Section 5.2
through the first anniversary of the Termination Date. To assure compliance with
Section 409A, the timing of the

9

 

provision of these benefits will be subject to Sections 16.1 and
16.3 if and to the extent either of those sections is applicable according
to its terms.

9. Continuing Office Support Following Termination of Employment. If Wolstein’s employment
with DDR is terminated other than by DDR for Cause or by reason of his death, DDR will provide to
Wolstein, from the Termination Date through the third anniversary of the Termination Date (or, if
earlier, through the first to occur of either of Wolstein’s death or the date, if ever, on which he
begins full time employment with another employer), office space at a location (other than the
executive offices of DDR) suitable to his status as the former Chief Executive Officer of DDR, a
full-time secretary, and other customary office support functions (collectively, the “Continuing
Office Support”). To assure compliance with Section 409A, the entire cost of the Continuing Office
Support from the Termination Date through the Six Month Date (as defined in Section 16.1)
will be for the account of Wolstein and Wolstein will directly pay (or provide funds to DDR to pay)
all elements of that cost on a current basis during that period. The costs so paid by Wolstein
(whether directly or by providing funds to DDR) will be accumulated (together with interest at the
applicable federal rate under Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code in effect on the Termination Date)
through the Six Month Date and DDR will reimburse Wolstein for the accumulated costs, with
interest, during Seventh Month after the Termination Date. DDR will provide the Continuing Office
Support after the Six Month Date at no cost to Wolstein.

10. Release. This Section 10 will apply only upon termination of Wolstein’s
employment (a) by DDR, either without Cause or pursuant to Section 7.2 following Wolstein’s
disability, or (b) by Wolstein for Good Reason.

10.1 Presentation of Release by DDR. If this Section 10 applies, DDR may
present to Wolstein (or in the case of Wolstein’s death or legal incapacity, to Wolstein’s
personal representative), not later than 21 days after the Termination Date, a form of
release (a “Release”) of all current and future claims, known or unknown, arising on or
before the date on which the Release is to be executed, that Wolstein or his assigns have or
may have against DDR or any Subsidiary, and the directors, officers, and affiliates of any
of them, in such form as may reasonably be presented by DDR together with a covering message
in which DDR advises Wolstein (or his personal representative) that the Release is being
presented in accordance with this Section 10.1 and that a failure by Wolstein (or
his personal representative) to execute and return the Release as contemplated by
Section 10.3 would relieve DDR of the obligation to make payments otherwise due to
Wolstein (or to his personal representative) under one or more portions of either of
Sections 8.2 or 8.4, as the case may be.

10.2 Effect of Failure by DDR to Present Release. If DDR fails to present a Release
and covering message to Wolstein (or his personal representative) as contemplated by
Section 10.1 within 21 days of the Termination Date, DDR will be deemed to have
waived the requirement that Wolstein (or his personal representative) execute a Release as a
condition to receiving payments under any portion of either of Sections 8.2 or
8.4, as the case may be.

10.3 Execution of Release by Wolstein or His Personal Representative. If DDR does
present a Release and covering message to Wolstein (or his personal representative) as
contemplated by Section 10.1 within 21 days of the Termination Date, Wolstein (or
his personal representative) will have until 50 days after the Termination Date (i.e., at
least 29 days after presentation of the Release to Wolstein (or his personal
representative)) within which to deliver an executed copy of the Release to DDR and thereby
satisfy the condition to receiving payments under any portion of either of Sections
8.2 or 8.4, as the case may be, provided that Wolstein (or his personal

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representative) does not revoke the execution of the Release during any applicable
revocation period.

10.4 Effect of Failure to Execute Release or of Revocation of Release. If Wolstein
(or his personal representative) fails to deliver an executed copy of the Release to DDR
within 50 days after the Termination Date or revokes the execution of the Release during any
applicable revocation period, Wolstein (or his personal representative) will be deemed to
have waived the right to receive all payments under Sections 8.2 or 8.4, as
the case may be, that were conditioned on the Release.

11. Disability Definitions; Physical Examination.

11.1 Definitions. For all purposes of this Agreement:

(a) Wolstein’s “Own Occupation” means the regular occupation in which he is engaged
under this Agreement at the time he becomes disabled.

(b) “Total Disability” means that, because of sickness or injury, Wolstein is not
able to perform the material and substantial duties of his Own Occupation.

(c) “Totally Disabled” means that Wolstein suffers from Total Disability (and
Wolstein will be deemed to continue to be Totally Disabled so long as he is not able
to work in his Own Occupation even if he works in some other capacity).

11.2 Physical Examination. If either DDR or Wolstein, at any time or from time to
time after receipt of notice of Wolstein’s Total Disability from the other, desires to
contend that Wolstein is not Totally Disabled, Wolstein will promptly submit to a physical
examination by the chief of medicine of any major accredited hospital in the Cleveland, Ohio
area and, unless that physician issues his written statement to the effect that, in his
opinion, based on his diagnosis, Wolstein is capable of resuming his Own Occupation and
devoting his full time and energy to discharging the duties of his Own Occupation, Wolstein
will be deemed to be and to continue to be Totally Disabled for all purposes of this
Agreement.

12. No Set-Off; No Obligation to Seek Other Employment or to Otherwise Mitigate Damages; No
Effect Upon Other Plans. DDR’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement
and otherwise to perform its obligations under this Agreement will not be affected by any set-off,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or other claim whatsoever that DDR or any Subsidiary may have
against Wolstein, except that the prohibition on set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or
other claim contained in this sentence will not apply (a) if Wolstein’s employment is terminated by
DDR for Cause or (b) to the potential set-off with respect to reimbursement of the DDR-Paid
Premiums specified in Section 21.1. Wolstein will not be required to mitigate damages or
the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or
otherwise. The amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement will not be reduced by any
compensation or benefits earned by Wolstein as the result of employment by another employer or
otherwise after the Termination Date. Neither the provisions of this Agreement nor the making of
any payment provided for under this Agreement, nor the termination of DDR’s obligations under this
Agreement, will reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way diminish Wolstein’s rights,
under any incentive compensation plan, stock option or stock appreciation rights plan, restricted
stock plan or agreement, deferred compensation, retirement, or supplemental retirement plan, stock
purchase and savings plan, disability or insurance plan, or other similar contract, plan, or
arrangement of DDR or any Subsidiary, all of which will be governed by their respective terms.

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13. Payments Are in Lieu of Severance Payments.  If Wolstein becomes entitled to receive
payments under this Agreement and/or the Change in Control Agreement as a result of termination of
his employment, those payments will be in lieu of any and all other claims or rights that Wolstein
may have against DDR for severance, separation, and/or salary continuation pay upon that
termination of his employment.

14. Covenants and Confidential Information. Wolstein acknowledges DDR’s reliance on and
expectation of Wolstein’s continued commitment to performance of his duties and responsibilities
during the Contract Period and he assumes the obligations set out in this Section 14 in
light of that reliance and expectation on the part of DDR.

14.1 Confidentiality. Throughout the Contract Period and for a period of two years
thereafter, Wolstein will not disclose, divulge, discuss, copy, or otherwise use or suffer
to be used in any manner, in competition with, or contrary to the interests of, DDR, any
confidential information relating to DDR’s operations, properties, or otherwise to its
particular business or other trade secrets of DDR, it being acknowledged by Wolstein that
all such information regarding the business of DDR compiled or obtained by, or furnished to,
during his employment by or association with DDR is confidential information and DDR’s
exclusive property. The restrictions in this Section 14.1 will not apply to any
information to the extent that it (a) is clearly obtainable in the public domain, (b)
becomes obtainable in the public domain, except by reason of the breach by Wolstein of his
obligations under this Section 14.1, (c) was not acquired by Wolstein in connection
with his employment or affiliation with DDR, (d) was not acquired by Wolstein from DDR or
its representatives, or (e) is required to be disclosed by rule of law or by order of a
court or governmental body or agency.

14.2 Nonsolicitation. During the Contract Period and for a period of two years
thereafter, Wolstein will not directly or indirectly solicit or induce or attempt to solicit
or induce any employee of DDR and/or of any Subsidiary or affiliate to terminate his or her
employment with DDR and/or any Subsidiary.

14.3 Remedies. Wolstein acknowledges that the remedy at law for any breach by him
of this Section 14 may be inadequate and that the damages following from any such
breach may not be readily susceptible to being measured in monetary terms. Accordingly,
Wolstein agrees that, upon adequate proof of Wolstein’s violation of any legally enforceable
provision of this Section 14, DDR will be entitled to immediate injunctive relief
and may obtain a temporary order restraining any threatened or further breach. Nothing in
this Section 14 will be deemed to limit DDR’s remedies at law or in equity for any
breach by Wolstein of any of the provisions of this Section 14 that may be pursued
or availed of by DDR.

14.4 Acknowledgement. Wolstein has carefully considered the nature and extent of
the restrictions upon him and the rights and remedies conferred upon DDR under this
Section 14, and hereby acknowledges and agrees that the same are reasonable in time
and territory, are designed to eliminate competition that otherwise would be unfair to DDR,
do not stifle the inherent skill and experience of Wolstein, would not operate as a bar to
Wolstein’s sole means of support, are fully required to protect the legitimate interests of
DDR ,and do not confer a benefit upon DDR disproportionate to the detriment to Wolstein.

15. Gross-Up of Payments Deemed to be Excess Parachute Payments.

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15.1 Acknowledgement; Determination by Accounting Firm. DDR and Wolstein
acknowledge that, following a Change in Ownership or Control, one or more payments or
distributions to be made by DDR or an affiliated entity to or for the benefit of Wolstein
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Change in Control Agreement (including,
without limitation, the issuance of common shares of the Company; the granting or vesting of
restricted shares; and the granting, vesting, exercise or termination of options) (a
“Payment”) may be determined to be an “excess parachute payment” that is not deductible by
DDR or its affiliated entity for Federal income tax purposes and with respect to which
Wolstein will be subject to an excise tax because of Sections 280G and 4999, respectively,
of the Internal Revenue Code. If a Change in Ownership or Control occurs, either Wolstein
or DDR may direct the Accounting Firm, which, subject to any inconsistent position asserted
by the Internal Revenue Service, will make all determinations required to be made under this
Section 15, to determine whether any Payment will be an excess parachute payment and
to communicate its determination, together with detailed supporting calculations, to DDR and
to Wolstein within 30 days after its receipt of the direction from Wolstein or DDR, as the
case may be. DDR and Wolstein will cooperate with each other and the Accounting Firm and
will provide necessary information so that the Accounting Firm may make all such
determinations.

15.2 Gross-Up Payments. If the Accounting Firm determines that any Payment gives
rise, directly or indirectly, to liability on the part of Wolstein for excise tax under
Section 4999 (and/or any penalties and/or interest with respect to any such excise tax), DDR
will make additional cash payments (each, a “Gross-Up Payment”) to Wolstein, from time to
time in such amounts as are necessary to put Wolstein in the same position, after payment of
all federal, state, and local taxes (whether income taxes, excise taxes under Section 4999
or otherwise, or other taxes) and any and all penalties and interest with respect to any
such excise tax, as Wolstein would have been in after payment of all federal, state, and
local income taxes if the Payments (other than in respect of or regarding any units or
awards granted or vested pursuant to any Performance Unit Agreement between Wolstein and the
Company, or any equity awards granted or issued pursuant to any outperformance award plans
(including the Outperformance Long-Term Incentive Plan) or supplemental equity award plans
(including the 2007 Supplemental Equity Plan) of the Company) had not given rise to an
excise tax under Section 4999 and no such penalties or interest had been imposed. DDR’s
obligation to make Gross-Up Payments under this Section 15 is not contingent on
termination of Wolstein’s employment with DDR. DDR will make each Gross-Up Payment to
Wolstein within 30 days of the time that the related Payment constituting an excess
parachute payment is paid or provided to Wolstein.

15.3 Further Gross-Up Payments as Determined by the IRS. If the Internal Revenue
Service determines that any Payment gives rise, directly or indirectly, to liability on the
part of Wolstein for excise tax under Section 4999 (and/or any penalties and/or interest
with respect to any such excise tax) in excess of the amount, if any, previously determined
by the Accounting Firm, DDR will make further Goss-Up Payments to Wolstein in cash and in
such amounts as are necessary to put Wolstein in the same position, after payment of all
federal, state, and local taxes (whether income taxes, excise taxes under Section 4999 or
otherwise, or other taxes) and any and all penalties and interest with respect to any such
excise tax, as Wolstein would have been in after payment of all federal, state, and local
income taxes if the Payments (other than in respect of or regarding any units or awards
granted or vested pursuant to any Performance Unit Agreement between Wolstein and the
Company, or any equity awards granted or issued pursuant to any outperformance award plans
(including the Outperformance Long-Term Incentive Plan) or supplemental equity award plans
(including the 2007 Supplemental Equity Plan) of the Company)

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had not given rise to an excise tax under Section 4999 and no such penalties or interest had
been imposed. DDR will make any additional Gross-Up Payments required by this Section
15.3 not later than the due date of any payment indicated by the Internal Revenue
Service with respect to the underlying matters to which the additional Gross-Up relates.

15.4 Contest of IRS Determination by DDR. If DDR desires to contest any
determination by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the amount of excise tax under
Section 4999, Wolstein will, upon receipt from DDR of an unconditional written undertaking
to indemnify and hold Wolstein harmless (on an after tax basis) from any and all adverse
consequences that might arise from the contesting of that determination, cooperate with DDR
in that contest at DDR’s sole expense. Nothing in this Section 15 will require
Wolstein to incur any expense other than expenses with respect to which DDR has paid to
Wolstein sufficient sums so that after the payment of the expense by Wolstein and taking
into account the payment by DDR with respect to that expense and any and all taxes that may
be imposed upon Wolstein as a result of his receipt of that payment, the net effect is no
cost to Wolstein. Nothing in this Section 15 will require Wolstein to extend the
statute of limitations with respect to any item or issue in his tax returns other than,
exclusively, the excise tax under Section 4999. If, as the result of the contest of any
assertion by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to excise tax under Section 4999,
Wolstein receives a refund of a Section 4999 excise tax previously paid and/or any interest
with respect thereto, Wolstein will promptly pay to DDR such amount as will leave Wolstein,
net of the repayment and all tax effects, in the same position, after all taxes and
interest, that he would have been in if the refunded excise tax had never been paid. To
assure compliance with Section 409A, DDR will make payments to Wolstein with respect to
expenses as contemplated in this Section 15.4 subject to and as provided in
Sections 16.1 and 16.3.

15.5 Accounting Firm Fees and Expenses. DDR will bear and pay all fees and expenses
of the Accounting Firm for services performed pursuant to this Section 15
(“Applicable Fees and Expenses”). To assure compliance with Section 409A, DDR will pay any
Applicable Fees and Expenses subject to and as provided in Sections 16.1 and
16.3.

16. Compliance with Section 409A.

16.1 Six Month Delay on Certain Payments, Benefits, and Reimbursements. If Wolstein
is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, as determined under DDR’s policy for
determining specified employees on the Termination Date, each payment, benefit, or
reimbursement paid or provided under this Agreement that constitutes a “deferral of
compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, that is to be paid or provided as a result
of a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, and that would otherwise
be paid or provided at any time (a “Scheduled Time”) that is on or before the date (the “Six
Month Date”) that is exactly six months after the Termination Date (other than payments,
benefits, or reimbursements that are treated as separation pay under Section
1.409A-1(b)(9)(v) of the Treasury Regulations) will not be paid or provided at the Scheduled
Time but will be accumulated (together with interest at the applicable federal rate under
Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code in effect on the Termination Date) through the Six Month
Date and paid or provided during the period of 30 consecutive days beginning on the first
business day after the Six Month Date (that period of 30 consecutive days, the “Seventh
Month after the Termination Date”), except that if Wolstein dies before the Six Month Date,
the payments, benefits, or reimbursements will be accumulated only through the date of his
death and thereafter paid or provided not later than 30 days after the date of death.

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16.2 Earlier Payment if Not a Specified Employee. If Wolstein is not a “specified
employee” for purposes of Section 409A, as determined under DDR’s policy for determining
specified employees on the Termination Date, any lump sum payment to be made by DDR to
Wolstein pursuant to any one or more of Sections 8.2(c), 8.2(d),
8.4(c) and 8.4(d) will be made by DDR to Wolstein during the 30-day period
that begins exactly 60 days after the Termination Date rather than during the Seventh Month
after the Termination Date.

16.3 Additional Limitations on Reimbursements and In-Kind Benefits. The
reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits provided under Section 8 or under any
other section of this Agreement that are taxable benefits (and that are not disability pay
or death benefit plans within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) are intended to
comply, to the maximum extent possible, with the exception to Section 409A set forth in
Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v) of the Treasury Regulations. To the extent that any reimbursement
of expenses or in-kind benefits provided under Section 8 or under any other section
of this Agreement either do not qualify for that exception, or are provided beyond the
applicable time periods set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v) of the Treasury Regulations,
then they will be subject to the following additional rules: (i) any reimbursement of
eligible expenses will be paid within 30 days following Wolstein’s written request for
reimbursement; provided that Wolstein provides written notice no later than 60 days before
the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was
incurred so that DDR can make the reimbursement within the time periods required by Section
409A; (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided,
during any calendar year will not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement,
or in-kind benefits to be provided, during any other calendar year; and (iii) the right to
reimbursement or in-kind benefits will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any
other benefit.

16.4 Compliance Generally. Each payment or reimbursement and the provision of each
benefit under this Agreement shall be considered a separate payment and not one of a series
of payments for purposes of Section 409A. DDR and Wolstein intend that the payments and
benefits provided under this Agreement will either be exempt from the application of, or
comply with, the requirements of Section 409A. This Agreement is to be construed,
administered, and governed in a manner that effects that intent and DDR will not take any
action that is inconsistent with that intent. Without limiting the foregoing, the payments
and benefits provided under this Agreement may not be deferred, accelerated, extended, paid
out, or modified in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under
Section 409A upon Wolstein.

16.5 Termination of Employment to Constitute a Separation from Service. The parties
intend that the phrase “termination of employment” and words and phrases of similar import
mean a “separation from service” with DDR within the meaning of Section 409A. Wolstein and
DDR will take all steps necessary (including taking into account this Section 16.5
when considering any further agreement regarding provision of services by Wolstein to DDR
after the Termination Date) to ensure that (a) any termination of employment under this
Agreement constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, and
(b) the Termination Date is the date on which Wolstein experiences a “separation from
service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

16.6 Section 409A Gross-Up. If, notwithstanding the efforts of the parties to
comply with Section 409A, Wolstein is subject to any excise tax under Section 409A, DDR will
make additional payments (“409A Gross-Up Payments”) to Wolstein so that after taking into
account any such additional tax and any related interest and/or penalties and the 409A
Gross-Up

15

 

Payments (other than in respect of or regarding any units or awards granted or vested
pursuant to any Performance Unit Agreement between Wolstein and the Company, or any equity
awards granted or issued pursuant to any outperformance award plans (including the
Outperformance Long-Term Incentive Plan) or supplemental equity award plans (including the
2007 Supplemental Equity Plan) of the Company), Wolstein will be in the same position as if
no excise tax under Section 409A and no related interest or penalties had been imposed upon
him pursuant to Section 409A. The Accounting Firm will have the same general duties with
respect to the determination of the amount of any Section 409A Gross-Up as it has with
respect to the determination of Gross-Up Payments with respect to Section 4999 under
Section 15 and the parties will follow procedures in connection with the
determination and payment of any Section 409A Gross-Up Payments that are similar to those
specified in Section 15 in connection with the determination and payment of any
Gross-Up Payments with respect to Section 4999 (including those procedures in Section
15 that relate to the time at which additional payments are made).

17. Indemnification.  DDR will indemnify Wolstein, to the full extent permitted or
authorized by the Ohio General Corporation Law as it may from time to time be amended, if Wolstein
is made or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that
Wolstein is or was a director, officer, or employee of DDR and/or of any Subsidiary, or is or was
serving at the request of DDR and/or of any Subsidiary as a director, trustee, officer, or employee
of a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise. The indemnification
provided by this Section 17 will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
Wolstein may be entitled under the articles of incorporation or the regulations of DDR and/or of
any Subsidiary, or any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise,
both as to action in Wolstein’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office, and will continue as to Wolstein after Wolstein has ceased to be a director,
trustee, officer, or employee and will inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors, and
administrators. In particular, Wolstein will continue to be entitled to the full benefit of the
indemnification agreement dated June 29, 2004 between Wolstein and DDR (the “Indemnification
Agreement”) for so long as that Indemnification Agreement remains in effect according to its terms.

18. Certain Expenses. This Section 18 will apply only to expenses that (a) are
otherwise described in one or more of its subsections and (b) are incurred at any time from the
Effective Date through the fifth anniversary of Wolstein’s death.

18.1 Reimbursement of Certain Expenses. DDR will pay, as incurred, all expenses,
including the reasonable fees of counsel engaged by Wolstein, of Wolstein in (a) prosecuting
any action to compel DDR to comply with the terms of this Agreement upon receipt from
Wolstein of an undertaking to repay DDR for such expenses if it is ultimately determined by
a court of competent jurisdiction that Wolstein had no reasonable grounds for bringing such
action or (b) defending any action brought by a party other than Wolstein or his personal
representative to have this Agreement declared invalid or unenforceable.

18.2 Advancement of Certain Expenses. Expenses (including the reasonable fees of
counsel engaged by Wolstein) incurred by Wolstein in defending any action, suit, or
proceeding commenced or threatened against Wolstein for any action or failure to act as an
employee, officer, or director of DDR and/or of any Subsidiary will be paid by DDR, as they
are incurred, in advance of final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of Wolstein in which he agrees to reasonably
cooperate with DDR and/or the Subsidiary, as the case may be, concerning the action, suit,
or proceeding, and (a) if the action, suit, or proceeding is commenced or threatened against
Wolstein for any action or failure to act as

16

 

a director, to repay the amount if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence in a court
of competent jurisdiction that his action or failure to act involved an act or omission
undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to DDR or a Subsidiary or with reckless
disregard for the best interests of DDR or a Subsidiary, or (b) if the action, suit, or
proceeding is commenced or threatened against Wolstein for any action or failure to act as
an officer or employee, to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined that he is not
entitled to be indemnified. The obligation of DDR to advance expenses provided for in this
Section 18.2 will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Wolstein may
be entitled under the articles of incorporation or the regulations of DDR or of any
Subsidiary, or any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

19. Survival of Obligations. Except as is otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement,
the respective obligations of DDR and Wolstein under this Agreement will survive any termination of
Wolstein’s employment under this Agreement.

20. Notices.  Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement must be
in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person (to the President of
DDR in the case of notices to DDR and to Wolstein in the case of notices to Wolstein) or mailed by
United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed, if to DDR,
to its principal place of business, attention: President, and, if to Wolstein, to his home address
last shown on the records of DDR, or to such other address or addresses as either party may furnish
to the other in accordance with this Section 20.

21. Entire Agreement, Certain Prior Arrangements. The parties have entered into a Change
in Control Agreement as of the Effective Date of this Agreement. Except as otherwise set forth
below in this Section 21, this Agreement and that Change in Control Agreement supersede all
prior employment and change in control agreements between the parties and all understandings
between them with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and of that Change in Control
Agreement.

21.1 Residual Split-Dollar Obligations. Since 2003, Wolstein has personally
maintained two life insurance policies (the “Policies”) that were initially issued in
connection with a split-dollar agreement between Wolstein and DDR (the “Split-Dollar
Agreement”). DDR paid a total of $1,691,119 in premiums (the “DDR-Paid Premiums”) on the
Policies before July 30, 2002 and, under the terms of the Split-Dollar Agreement, is
entitled to be reimbursed for the DDR-Paid Premiums in full (without interest), either from
the proceeds of the Policies upon Wolstein’s death or upon the surrender of the Policies
during Wolstein’s life. If Wolstein takes any action, or fails to take any action, and the
taking of or the failure to take that action adversely affects DDR’s right to reimbursement
of the DDR-Paid Premiums, DDR will be entitled to set off its right to reimbursement of the
DDR-Paid Premiums against any payments otherwise required to be made by DDR to Wolstein
and/or his assigns under this Agreement. Wolstein hereby authorizes DDR to make inquiries
of the issuers of the Policies from time to time to determine Wolstein’s compliance with the
obligation set forth in the immediately preceding sentence. Wolstein will authorize the
issuers of the Policies to provide information to DDR that is responsive to those inquiries.

21.2 Indemnification Agreement. As provided in Section 17, Wolstein will
continue to be entitled to the full benefit of the Indemnification Agreement for so long as
it remains in effect according to its terms.

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22. Mandatory Arbitration Before a Change in Control and To Determine Cause. Section
22.1 will apply if and only if (a) either party notifies the other, in writing, that it is
demanding resolution of a then-current controversy or claim by arbitration and the notice is
provided by the notifying party to the other party before any Change in Control has occurred, or
(b) Wolstein exercises his right to have DDR’s purported justification for terminating his
employment for Cause submitted to arbitration as contemplated by Section 7.3. Nothing in
this Section 22 will limit the right of DDR to seek and obtain injunctive relief in a court
of equity for any breach or threatened breach by Wolstein of any of his covenants contained in
Section 14 above.

22.1 Scope of Arbitration. If this Section 22.1 applies, any controversy or
claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any breach of this Agreement (if this
Section 22.1 applies by reason of clause (a) above) or the question of whether or
not DDR has Cause to terminate Wolstein’s employment (if this Section 22.1 applies
by reason of clause (b) above), will be settled by binding arbitration to be held before
three arbitrators and conducted in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules and
Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association in the City of Cleveland, Ohio.
The decision of the arbitrators will be final and binding on both parties and judgment on
any award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Costs and expenses of any such arbitration will be borne by the parties as may be directed
by the arbitrators taking into account the extent to which the positions taken by each of
the parties are reasonable. The arbitrators will have the power to issue mandatory orders
and restraining orders in connection with any such arbitration.

22.2 Other Disputes. If Section 22.1 does not apply to any claim or
controversy between the parties, the parties may nevertheless, but need not, mutually agree
to submit any controversy or claim to arbitration as though Section 22.1 did apply.
Failing any such mutual agreement, either party may bring proceedings against the other with
respect to any claim or controversy in any court of competent jurisdiction that satisfies
the venue requirements set forth in Section 23.8. Nothing in this Section
22.2 imposes upon either party any obligation to discuss possible arbitration of any
claim or controversy to which Section 22.1 does not apply before bringing any court
proceedings with respect to that claim or controversy.

23. Miscellaneous.

23.1 No Conflict. Wolstein represents and warrants that he is not a party to any
agreement, contract, or understanding, whether employment or otherwise, that would restrict
or prohibit him from undertaking or performing employment in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

23.2 Assistance. During the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Wolstein will
provide reasonable assistance to DDR in litigation and regulatory matters that relate to
events that occurred during Wolstein’s period of employment with DDR and its predecessors,
and will provide reasonable assistance to DDR with matters relating to its corporate history
from the period of Wolstein’s employment with it or its predecessors. Wolstein will be
entitled to reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket travel or related costs and expenses
relating to any such cooperation or assistance that occurs following the Termination Date.

23.3 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or
more provision is determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part,
the remaining provisions and any partially unenforceable provision to the extent enforceable
in any jurisdiction nevertheless will be binding and enforceable.

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23.4 Benefit of Agreement. The rights and obligations of DDR under this Agreement
will inure to the benefit of, and will be binding on, DDR and its successors and assigns,
and the rights and obligations (other than obligations to perform services) of Wolstein
under this Agreement will inure to the benefit of, and will be binding upon, Wolstein and
his heirs, personal representatives, and assigns.

23.5 No Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce any provision or provisions
of this Agreement will not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or
provisions as to any future violations thereof, nor prevent that party from later enforcing
each and every other provision of this Agreement. The rights granted the parties in this
Agreement are cumulative and the waiver of any single remedy will not constitute a waiver of
that party’s right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the
circumstances.

23.6 Modification. This Agreement may not be modified or terminated orally. No
modification or termination will be valid unless in writing and signed by the party against
which the modification or termination is sought to be enforced.

23.7 Merger or Transfer of Assets of DDR.  DDR will not consolidate with or merge
into any other corporation, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to another
corporation, unless such other corporation assumes this Agreement in a signed writing and
delivers a copy thereof to Wolstein, which signed writing may consist of the merger or sale
agreement, or similar document. Upon any such assumption, the successor corporation will
become obligated to perform the obligations of DDR under this Agreement, and the terms “DDR”
and the “Company,” as used in this Agreement, will be deemed to refer to that successor
corporation.

23.8 Governing Law and Venue. The provisions of this Agreement will be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio applicable to contracts made
in and to be performed exclusively within that State, notwithstanding any conflict of law
provision to the contrary. Subject to the mandatory arbitration provisions of Section
22, the parties consent to venue and personal jurisdiction over them in the courts of
the State of Ohio and federal courts sitting in Cleveland, Ohio, for purposes of construing
and enforcing this Agreement.

24. Definitions.

24.1 Accounting Firm.  The term “Accounting Firm” means the independent auditors of
DDR for the fiscal year immediately preceding the earlier of (i) the year in which the
Termination Date occurred, or (ii) the year, if any, in which occurred the first Change in
Control occurring after the Effective Date, and that firm’s successor or successors; unless
that firm is unable or unwilling to serve and perform in the capacity contemplated by this
Agreement, in which case DDR must select another accounting firm that (x) is of recognized
national standing and (y) is not then the independent auditors for DDR or any Subsidiary.

24.2 Cause. The term “Cause” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3. For
the avoidance of doubt, the term “Termination For Cause,” as used in the Change in Control
Agreement, is defined in the Change in Control Agreement and is distinct from the term
“Cause” as used in this Agreement.

24.3 Change in Control. The term “Change in Control” has the meaning given to that
term in the Change in Control Agreement.

19

 

24.4 Change in Control Agreement. The term “Change in Control Agreement” means the
agreement denominated as such between Wolstein and DDR entered into contemporaneously with
this Agreement, as that agreement may be amended from time to time.

24.5 Change in Ownership or Control. The term “Change in Ownership or Control” has
the meaning given to that term (without initial caps) in the Treasury Regulations published
under Section 280G.

24.6 Good Reason. The term “Good Reason” has the meaning set forth in Section
7.4.

24.7 Internal Revenue Code. The term “Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

24.8 Section. References in this Agreement to one or more “Sections” are to
sections of this Agreement, except for references to any of Sections 409A, 280G, and 4999,
which are references to those respective sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

24.9 Section 280G. The term “Section 280G” means Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code. References in this Agreement to Section 280G are intended to include any
proposed, temporary, or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect
to Section 280G by the U.S. Department of Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.

24.10 Section 409A. The term “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code. References in this Agreement to Section 409A are intended to include any
proposed, temporary, or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect
to Section 409A by the U.S. Department of Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.

24.11 Section 4999. The term “Section 4999” means Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code. References in this Agreement to Section 4999 are intended to include any
proposed, temporary, or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect
to Section 4999 by the U.S. Department of Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.

24.12 Subsidiary. The term “Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership, or
other entity a majority of the voting control of which is directly or indirectly owned or
controlled by DDR.

24.13 Termination Date. The term “Termination Date” means the date on which
Wolstein’s employment with DDR and its Subsidiaries terminates.

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, DDR and Wolstein have executed this Agreement, DDR by its duly authorized
President, as of the date first written above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	DEVELOPERS DIVERSIFIED REALTY CORPORATION

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Daniel B. Hurwitz
 	 
	 	 	Daniel B. Hurwitz, President 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 
	 	      /s/ Scott A. Wolstein
 	 
	 	SCOTT A. WOLSTEIN 	 
	 	 	 

21

 

	 	 	 	 	 

 EXHIBIT A

INCENTIVE OPPORTUNITY

Annual Bonus

As % of Salary

	 	 	 
	Threshold
	 	Maximum
	 
	 	 
	 	 	 
	350%
	 	800%

22

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