Document:

Exhibit

FORWARD AIR CORPORATION
NOTICE OF GRANT OF PERFORMANCE SHARES 

The Participant has been granted an award of an opportunity to receive a number of Performance Shares (the “Award”) pursuant to the Forward Air Corporation 2016 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) and the Employee Performance Share Agreement attached hereto (the “Agreement”), as follows:

	
				
	Participant:
	________________
	Employee ID:
	 

	Grant Date:
	________________
	Grant No.:
	 

	Target Number of Performance Shares:
	[_______________], subject to adjustment as provided by the Agreement.

	Maximum Number of Performance Shares:
	[_______________], subject to adjustment as provided by the Agreement.  

	Performance Metric:
	Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share

	Performance Period:
	Three-year period beginning on the January 1st that immediately precedes the Grant Date and ending on the December 31st that immediately precedes the third anniversary of the Grant Date (_________ - __________)

	Performance Share Vesting Date:
	The date that is 21⁄2 months after the last day of the Performance Period, except as otherwise provided by the Agreement.

	Vested Performance Shares:
	Provided that the Participant’s Service has not terminated prior to the Performance Share Vesting Date, except as provided by the Agreement, on the Performance Share Vesting Date the number of Vested Performance Shares (not to exceed the Maximum Number of Performance Shares) shall be determined by multiplying the Target Number of Performance Shares by the E/S Multiplier (as defined by the Agreement).

	Settlement Date:
	The Performance Share Vesting Date, except as otherwise provided by the Agreement.

	Recoupment Policy:
	The Award shall be subject to the terms and conditions of such policy on the recoupment of incentive compensation as shall be adopted by the Company to implement the requirements of Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. 

By their signatures below, the Company and the Participant agree that the Award is governed by this Notice and by the provisions of the Plan and the Agreement, both of which are made a part of this document.  The Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, the Agreement and the prospectus for the Plan, represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with the provisions of the Plan and the Agreement, and hereby accepts the Award subject to all of its terms and conditions.

FORWARD AIR CORPORATION                PARTICIPANT

By:                                                     
Signature

Its:                                                     
Date

		
	ATTACHMENT:
	Employee Performance Share Agreement 

FORWARD AIR CORPORATION
EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENT

Forward Air Corporation, a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant of Performance Shares (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Employee Performance Share Agreement (the “Agreement”) is attached an Award consisting of Performance Shares subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement.  The Award has been granted pursuant to the Forward Air Corporation 2016 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), as amended to the Grant Date, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1.    Definitions and Construction.

1.1    Definitions.  Unless otherwise defined herein, including within the Glossary at the end of this Agreement, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Grant Notice or the Plan.

1.2    Construction.  Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.  Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.  The Company intends that the Award made under this Agreement comply with, or otherwise be exempt from, Section 409A (including any amendments or replacements of such section), and the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and administered in a manner consistent with this intent.

2.    Administration.
All questions of interpretation concerning the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan shall be determined by the Committee.  All determinations by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Award.
3.    The Award.

3.1    Grant of Performance Shares.  On the Grant Date, the Participant has acquired, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, an opportunity to receive a number of Performance Shares, which shall not exceed the Maximum Number of Performance Shares set forth in the Grant Notice, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9.  The number of Performance Shares, if any, ultimately earned by the Participant, shall be that number of Performance Shares which become Vested Performance Shares.
    
3.2    No Monetary Payment Required.  The Participant is not required to make any monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding, if any) as a condition to receiving the Performance Shares or the Common Shares issued upon settlement of the Performance Shares, the consideration for which shall be past services actually rendered and/or future services to be rendered to the Company (or any Affiliate) or for its benefit.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable state corporate law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to the Company (or any Affiliate) or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the Common Shares issued upon settlement of the Vested Performance Shares.

4.    Certification by the Committee.

4.1    Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share.  As soon as practicable following completion of the Performance Period, and in any event on or before the Performance Share Vesting Date, the Committee shall certify in writing the Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share of the Company for the Performance Period and the resulting number of Performance Shares, if any, which shall become Vested Performance Shares on the Performance Share Vesting Date, subject to the Participant’s continued Service until the Performance Share Vesting Date, except as otherwise provided by Section 5 or Section 8.  The number of Performance Shares which shall become Vested Performance Shares on the Performance Share Vesting Date, subject to the Participant’s continued Service until the Performance Share Vesting Date, shall be determined by multiplying the Target Number of Performance Shares specified on the Grant Notice by the E/S Multiplier specified below, based on the Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share, rounding up to the nearest whole share:

	
		
	Cumulative EBITDA Per Share Targets
	E/S Multiplier

	$23.50
	200%

	$22.00
	150%

	$20.35
	100%

	$18.10
	50%

	$16.75
	25%

	Below $16.75
	0%

The E/S Multiplier for an achieved Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share between the percentages set forth in the table above shall be determined by straight-line interpolation.  The Company shall promptly notify the Participant of the determination by the Committee.
4.2    Adjustment to Performance Period.  Notwithstanding anything on the Grant Notice or in this Agreement to the contrary, if for any reason the Company ceases to have its Common Stock listed for public trade on any national securities exchange or market before the last day of the Performance Period specified on the Grant Notice, the Performance Period shall end as of the last date that the Company’s Common Stock is listed for public trade on a national securities exchange or market.  In such event, the Committee shall have discretion to make appropriate adjustments, as determined by the Committee, to the Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share targets for the Company.  Any temporary halt in trading, including without limitation any period during which trade is suspended while the Company comes into compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall be disregarded for this purpose.

5.    Vesting of Performance Shares.

5.1    In General.  Except as provided by this Section 5 and Section 8, the Performance Shares shall vest and become Vested Performance Shares as provided in the Grant Notice and Section 4.1, as certified by the Committee.

5.2    Termination of Service Other Than By Reason of Retirement, Death, Disability or in Connection With a Change in Control of the Company.  In the event the Participant’s Service terminates for any reason prior to the Performance Share Vesting Date, other than by reason of Retirement, death, Disability, or Involuntary Termination coincident with or within 24 months after a Change in Control of the Company, the Participant shall immediately forfeit, without requiring any act of the Participant or the Company to effectuate such forfeiture, all rights to and interests in the Performance Shares subject to the Award and the Award shall be cancelled as of the last day of the Participant’s Service.  The Participant shall not be entitled to any payment for such forfeited Performance Shares.

5.3    Termination of Service by Reason of Death or Disability.  In the event the Participant’s Service terminates by reason of death or Disability prior to the Performance Share Vesting Date, a number of Performance Shares shall become Vested Performance Shares on the last day of the Participant’s Service as follows.  The number of Performance Shares which shall become Vested Performance Shares shall be the product, rounded up to the nearest whole share, of (a) the Target Number of Performance Shares specified on the Grant Notice, multiplied by (b) an E/S Multiplier of 100%, multiplied by (c) a percentage equal to the ratio of the number of whole and partial months (rounded up to the nearest integer) of the Participant’s Service during the Performance Period to the number of full months contained in the Performance Period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Participant’s Service terminates by reason of death or Disability after the end of the Performance Period but prior to the Performance Share Vesting Date, the E/S Multiplier to be used in the equation set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be the E/S Multiplier applicable for the Performance Period as determined under Section 4.1.  The Participant shall forfeit, without requiring any act of the Participant, his personal representative or the Company to effectuate such forfeiture, all rights to and interests in any Performance Shares subject to the Award that do not become Vested Performance Shares under this Section 5.3 and the Award shall be cancelled with respect to such unvested Performance Shares on the last day of the Participant’s Service.  Neither the Participant nor any person claiming through the Participant shall be entitled to any payment for such forfeited Performance Shares.

5.4    Termination of Service by Reason of Retirement.  In the event the Participant’s Service terminates by reason of Retirement (in the absence of Cause) prior to the Performance Share Vesting Date, then, 

except as otherwise provided in Section 8.1, on the Performance Share Vesting Date the number of Performance Shares that shall become Vested Performance Shares, rounded up to the nearest whole share, shall be determined by multiplying (a) that number of Performance Shares that would have become Vested Performance Shares under Section 4.1 had no such termination occurred by (b) a percentage equal to the ratio of the number of whole and partial months (rounded up to the nearest integer) of the Participant’s Service during the Performance Period to the number of full months contained in the Performance Period.

5.5    Vesting Upon Involuntary Termination Following a Change In Control.  In the event the Participant suffers an Involuntary Termination coincident with or within 24 months following the CIC Date of a Change in Control but before the Performance Share Vesting Date, vesting of the Participant’s outstanding Award (or outstanding Substitute Award, as the case may be) shall be accelerated so that the greater of (a) 100% of the Target Number of Performance Shares specified on the Grant Notice or (b) the number of Performance Shares that otherwise would have become vested as of the Performance Share Vesting Date, based on the E/S Multiplier attained as of the date of such Involuntary Termination, determined as if the Participant’s last day of Service is the last day of the Performance Period, shall become Vested Performance Shares effective as of the last day of the Participant’s Service; provided, however, that if the outstanding Substitute Award provides for valuation by reference to anything other than Performance Shares following the CIC Date then the Participant shall become 100% vested in such value as of the last day of the Participant’s Service.  In either such case, the Participant’s Award or Substitute Award shall be settled as soon as practicable, generally within 30 days, after the Participant’s last day of Service, except to the extent that settlement of such Award (or outstanding Substitute Award, as the case may be) must be made pursuant to its original schedule in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code.  The Participant shall forfeit, without requiring any act of the Participant, his personal representative or the Company to effectuate such forfeiture, all rights to and interests in any Performance Shares subject to the Award or Substitute Award that do not become Vested Performance Shares under this Section 5.5.  Neither the Participant nor any person claiming through the Participant shall be entitled to any payment for such forfeited Performance Shares.

5.6    Forfeiture of Unvested Performance Shares.  Except as otherwise provided by this Section 5 or Section 8, on the Performance Share Vesting Date, the Participant shall forfeit, without requiring any act of the Participant or the Company to effectuate such forfeiture, all rights to and interests in any Performance Shares subject to the Award that have not become Vested Performance Shares and the Award shall be cancelled with respect to such unvested Performance Shares.  The Participant shall not be entitled to any payment for such forfeited Performance Shares.

6.    Settlement of the Award.

6.1    Issuance of Common Shares.  Subject to the provisions of Section 6.3, Section 7.2 and Section 8.1 below, the Company shall issue to the Participant on the Settlement Date with respect to each Vested Performance Share one (1) Common Share.  Common Shares issued in settlement of Performance Shares shall be subject to any restrictions as may be required pursuant to Section 6.3, Section 7 or the Insider Trading Policy.

6.2    Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares.  Upon issuance of Common Shares in settlement of the Award, the Company will determine the form of delivery (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) and may deliver such shares on the Participant’s behalf electronically to the Company’s designated stock plan administrator or such other broker-dealer as the Company may choose at its sole discretion, within reason.  Except as otherwise provided by this Section 6.2, the Common Shares as to which the Award is settled shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs or estate of the Participant.

6.3    Restrictions on Grant of the Award and Issuance of Common Shares.  The grant of the Award and issuance of Common Shares upon settlement of the Award shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities.  No Common Shares may be issued hereunder if the issuance of such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Common Stock may then be listed.  The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Common Shares subject to the Award shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.  As a condition to the settlement of the Award, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

6.4    Fractional Shares.  The Company shall not be required to issue fractional Common Shares upon the settlement of the Award.  Any fractional share resulting from the determination of the number of Vested Performance Shares shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
7.    Tax Matters.

7.1    In General.  At the time the Grant Notice is executed, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the Participant hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for, any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company, if any, which arise in connection with the Award or the issuance of Common Shares in settlement thereof.  The Company shall have no obligation to process the settlement of the Award or to deliver Common Shares until the tax withholding obligations as described in this Section have been satisfied by the Participant.

7.2    Withholding in Common Shares.  Subject to applicable law, the Company may, in its sole discretion, permit the Participant to satisfy any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the Award by directing that the Company reduce the number of shares of Common Shares otherwise issuable to the Participant in settlement of the Award by a number of whole Common Shares having a fair market value, as determined by the Company as of the date on which the tax withholding obligations arise, up to the amount of such tax withholding obligations determined by the applicable statutory withholding rates.

8.    Change In Control.

8.1    Treatment of Award Upon a Change in Control.  In the event of the consummation of a Change in Control before the Settlement Date, the outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent award, as determined in the discretion of the Committee, shall be granted by the successor corporation to the Company or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation in substitution for the outstanding Award (each such assumed Award or equivalent award granted, a “Substitute Award”) and, except as provided by Section 5, this Section 8, or the terms of the Substitute Award, the Substitute Award shall vest and become Vested Performance Shares as provided in the Grant Notice and Section 4.1.
(a)If neither such successor corporation, nor a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation, agrees to assume the Award or to substitute an equivalent award, as determined in the discretion of the Committee, then vesting of the outstanding Award shall be accelerated so that the greater of (a) 100% of the Target Number of Performance Shares specified on the Grant Notice or (b) the number of Performance Shares that would have become vested as of the Performance Share Vesting Date, based on the E/S Multiplier attained as of the CIC Date, determined as if the CIC Date is the last day of the Performance Period, shall become Vested Performance Shares effective as of the CIC Date, provided that the Participant’s Service has not terminated prior to the CIC Date.  Under these circumstances, the Settlement Date shall be the CIC Date or as soon as practicable thereafter.
(b)Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant’s Service terminates due to Retirement and a Change in Control is consummated before the Participant’s Award is settled and no Substitute Award is assumed or granted, vesting of the Participant’s outstanding Award shall be accelerated so that a number of Performance Shares shall become Vested Performance Shares effective as of the CIC Date determined, rounded up to the nearest whole share, by multiplying (a) that number of Performance Shares that would have become Vested Performance Shares under this Section 8.1 had no such Retirement occurred by (b) a percentage equal to the ratio of the number of whole and partial months (rounded up to the nearest integer) of the Participant’s Service during the Performance Period to the number of full months contained in the Performance Period as reflected on the Grant Notice.
(c)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its discretion, determine that upon a Change in Control, each Award outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control shall be canceled in exchange for payment with respect to the number of Performance Shares that otherwise would become Vested Performance Shares by reason of this Section 8.1, in (a) cash, (b) stock of the Company or the acquiring entity or any parent company of the acquiring entity, or (c) other property.  In any such case, the payment shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Common Stock in the Change in Control for each such Vested Performance Share (subject to any required tax withholding).  Such payment shall be made within 30 days following the Change in Control.
(d)All of the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.1 may be revised or eliminated, in whole or in part, in the discretion of the Committee and without the consent of the Participant, to the extent that the Committee determines such action to be appropriate or desirable after obtaining in connection with a Change in Control transaction a shareholder advisory vote required by Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 

Protection Act, or any successor provision, on golden parachute compensation arrangements, provided that this Agreement is a subject of that advisory vote.
        
8.2    Federal Excise Tax Under Section 4999 of the Code.

(a)    Excess Parachute Payment.  In the event that any acceleration of vesting of the Performance Shares and any other payment or benefit received or to be received by the Participant would subject the Participant to any excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code due to the characterization of such acceleration of vesting, payment or benefit as an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, the Participant may elect, in his or her sole discretion before the consummation of the Change in Control transaction, to reduce the amount of any acceleration of vesting called for by this Agreement in order to avoid such characterization.

(b)    Determination by Independent Accountants.  To aid the Participant in making any election called for under Section 8.2(a), no later than ten (10) days before the anticipated date of the occurrence of any event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in an “excess parachute payment” to the Participant as described in Section 8.2(a) (an “Event”), the Company shall request a determination in writing by independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “Accountants”).  Unless the Company and the Participant otherwise agree in writing, the Accountants shall determine and report to the Company and the Participant within three (3) days before the date of the Event the amount of such acceleration of vesting, payments and benefits which would produce the greatest after-tax benefit to the Participant.  For the purposes of such determination, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code and make reasonable assumptions and projections needed to make their required determination.  The Company and the Participant shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make their required determination.  The Company shall bear all fees and expenses the Accountants may reasonably charge in connection with their services contemplated by this Section 8.2(b). 

9.    Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure.

Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event of any change in the Common Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Common Shares (excepting normal cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares, appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Committee in the number of Performance Shares and/or the number and kind of shares to be issued in settlement of the Award, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the Participant’s rights under the Award.  For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as “effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.”  Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.  Such adjustments shall be determined by the Committee, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.  The Committee shall have discretion to make appropriate adjustments, as determined by the Committee, to the Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share targets for the Company in the event that the Common Stock of the Company is affected by a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, or similar change in capitalization.
10.    Rights as a Stockholder or Employee.

The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Common Shares which may be issued in settlement of this Award until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company).  No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such shares are issued, except as provided in Section 9.  Except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, the Participant’s employment is “at will” and is for no specified term.  Nothing in the Grant Notice or this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in Service with the Company or any Affiliate or interfere in any way with any right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the Participant’s Service with the Company or any Affiliate at any time.

11.    Compliance with Section 409A.

11.1    General Rule of Interpretation.  This Agreement and the Performance Shares granted hereunder are intended to fit within the “short-term deferral” exemption from Section 409A as set forth in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4).  In administering this Agreement, the Committee shall interpret this Agreement in a manner consistent with such exemption.  

11.2    Required Delay in Payment to Specified Employee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the Performance Shares fail to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule and otherwise result in Section 409A Deferred Compensation, and if the Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning set forth Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) as of the date of the Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(h)), then the issuance of any shares that would otherwise be made in connection with a "separation from service” (as determined for purposes of Section 409A) upon the date of the separation from service or within the first six (6) months thereafter will not be made on the originally scheduled date(s) and will instead be issued in a lump sum on the date that is six (6) months and one day after the date of the separation from service, but if and only if such delay in the issuance of the shares is necessary to avoid the imposition of additional taxation on the Participant in respect of the shares under Section 409A.

11.3    Other Delays in Payment.  Neither the Participant nor the Company shall take any action to accelerate or delay the payment of any benefits under this Agreement in any manner which would not be in compliance with Code Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(a)    If any payment is due to the Participant upon a Change in Control but such Change in Control does not constitute a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v), then such payment which constitutes Section 409A Deferred Compensation shall be deferred until another permissible payment event contained in Section 409A occurs (e.g., death, Disability, separation from service from the Company and its affiliated companies as defined for purposes of Section 409A).

(b)    If any payment is due to the Participant upon the Participant’s termination of Service but such termination of Service does not constitute a “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i), then such payment which constitutes Section 409A Deferred Compensation shall be deferred until another permissible payment event contained in Section 409A occurs.

(c)    If any payment is due to the Participant upon the Participant’s becoming Disabled but such disability does not meet the requirements of a disability under Section 409A(a)(2)(C), then such payment which constitutes Section 409A Deferred Compensation shall be deferred until another permissible payment event contained in Section 409A occurs.

11.4    Amendments to Comply with Section 409A; Indemnification.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company is authorized to amend this Agreement, to void or amend any election made by the Participant under this Agreement and/or to delay the payment of any monies and/or provision of any benefits in such manner as may be determined by the Company, in its discretion, to be necessary or appropriate to comply with Section 409A without prior notice to or consent of the Participant.  The Participant hereby releases and holds harmless the Company, its directors, officers and stockholders from any and all claims that may arise from or relate to any tax liability, penalties, interest, costs, fees or other liability incurred by the Participant in connection with the Award, including as a result of the application of Section 409A.

11.5    Advice of Independent Tax Advisor.  The Company has not obtained a tax ruling or other confirmation from the Internal Revenue Service with regard to the application of Section 409A to the Award, and the Company does not represent or warrant that this Agreement will avoid adverse tax consequences to the Participant, including as a result of the application of Section 409A to the Award.  The Participant hereby acknowledges that he or she has been advised to seek the advice of his or her own independent tax advisor prior to entering into this Agreement and is not relying upon any representations of the Company or any of its agents as to the effect of or the advisability of entering into this Agreement.
    
12.    Miscellaneous Provisions.

12.1    Termination or Amendment.  The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan or this Agreement at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or amendment may materially adversely affect the Participant’s rights under this Agreement, as determined in good faith in the discretion of the Committee, without the consent of the Participant unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law or government regulation, including, but not limited to, Section 409A.  No amendment or addition to this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.

12.2    Nontransferability of the Award.  Prior the issuance of Common Shares, neither this Award nor any Performance Shares subject to this Award shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, or in any other manner made subject to a hedging transaction or puts and calls, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  All rights with respect to the Award shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.

12.3    Unfunded Obligation.  The Participant shall have the status of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.  Any amounts payable to the Participant pursuant to the Award shall be an unfunded and unsecured obligation for all purposes, including, without limitation, Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  The Company shall not be required to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or establish any special accounts with respect to such obligations.  The Company shall retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment obligations hereunder.  Any investments or the creation or maintenance of any trust or any Participant account shall not create or constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Committee or the Company and the Participant, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial interest in the Participant or the Participant’s creditors in any assets of the Company.  The Participant shall have no claim against the Company for any changes in the value of any assets which may be invested or reinvested by the Company with respect to the Award.

12.4    Further Instruments.  The Company and the Participant agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

12.5    Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

12.6    Delivery of Documents and Notices.  Any document relating to participation in the Plan or any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, electronic delivery at the e-mail address, if any, provided for the Participant by the Company or any Affiliate, or upon deposit in the U.S. Post Office, by registered or certified mail, or with a nationally recognized overnight courier service, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed as applicable to the last known address of the Participant or the address of the principal executive office of the Company, in care of its General Counsel, or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

(a)    Description of Electronic Delivery.  The Plan documents, which may include but do not necessarily include: the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement, the Plan prospectus, and any reports of the Company provided generally to the Company’s stockholders, may be delivered to the Participant electronically.  In addition, the Participant may deliver electronically the Grant Notice to the Company or to such third party involved in administering the Plan as the Company may designate from time to time.  Such means of electronic delivery may include but do not necessarily include the delivery of a link to a Company intranet or the internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such other means of electronic delivery specified by the Company.

(b)    Consent to Electronic Delivery.  The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has read Section 12.6(a) of this Agreement and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan documents and Grant Notice, as described in Section 12.6(a).  The Participant acknowledges that he or she may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost to the Participant by contacting the Company by telephone or in writing.  The Participant further acknowledges that the Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails.  Similarly, the Participant understands that the Participant must provide the Company or any designated third party administrator with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails.  The Participant may revoke his or her consent to the electronic delivery of documents described in Section 12.6(a) or may change the electronic mail address to 

which such documents are to be delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address) at any time by notifying the Company of such revoked consent or revised e-mail address by telephone, postal service or electronic mail.  Finally, the Participant understands that he or she is not required to consent to electronic delivery of documents described in Section 12.6(a).

12.7    Recoupment.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Performance Shares (including any income, capital gains, proceeds realized or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by you upon the receipt, vesting or settlement of the Performance Shares, and your sale or other disposition of the Common Shares received in settlement of the Performance Shares) shall be subject to recovery under any clawback, recovery or recoupment policy which the Company may adopt from time to time, including without limitation the Company’s existing Recoupment Policy, as amended from time to time or any successor thereto, and any policy which the Company may be required to adopt under Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law, the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the requirements of any national securities exchange on which the Company’s Common Shares may be listed.  By accepting the Performance Shares, you expressly acknowledge and agree that the Performance Shares are subject to the terms of the foregoing policies, whether retroactively or prospectively adopted, and agree to cooperate fully with the Committee to facilitate the recovery of any Performance Shares or proceeds realized from your sale or other disposition of the Common Shares received in settlement of the Performance Shares that the Committee determines in its sole discretion is required or entitled to be recovered pursuant to the terms of such policies.

12.8    Retention.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, you acknowledge and agree that the terms and conditions of the Company’s existing Executive Stock Ownership and Retention Guideline, as amended from time to time or any successor thereto (the “Ownership Guideline”), are incorporated by reference into this Agreement and shall apply to your Performance Shares if you on the Grant Date are or subsequently become an employee who is subject to the Ownership Guideline.

12.9    Integrated Agreement.  The Grant Notice, this Agreement, the Ownership Guideline, and the Plan shall constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein and supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties between the Participant and the Company with respect to such subject matter other than those as set forth or provided for herein or therein.  To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of the Grant Notice and the Agreement shall survive any settlement of the Award and shall remain in full force and effect.

12.10    Applicable Law.  The validity, construction and effect of this Agreement, and of any determinations or decisions made by the Committee relating to this Agreement, and the rights of any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest under this Agreement, shall be determined exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard to its provisions concerning the applicability of laws of other jurisdictions.  Any suit with respect hereto will be brought in the federal or state courts in the districts which include Greeneville, Tennessee, and you hereby agree and submit to the personal jurisdiction and venue thereof.

12.11    Counterparts.  The Grant Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

{Glossary begins on next page}

GLOSSARY

(a)“Affiliate” means any entity, whether now or hereafter existing, which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company or any successor to the Company.  For this purpose, “control” (including the correlative meanings of the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean ownership, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting securities issued by such entity, or the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of such entity, by contract or otherwise.    

(b)“Cause” means any one or more of the following, as determined by the Committee or its delegate in its sole discretion, which determination will be conclusive: (i) any act or omission by the Participant which, if convicted by a court of law, would constitute a felony or a crime of moral turpitude; (ii) the Participant’s dishonesty or material violation of standards of integrity in the course of fulfilling his or her employment duties to the Company or any Affiliate; (iii) insubordination or a material violation of a material written policy of the Company or any Affiliate, violation of which would be grounds for dismissal under applicable Company policy; (iv) willful, repeated failure on the part of the Participant to perform his or her employment duties (provided that such duties are ethical and proper under applicable law) in any material respect, after reasonable written notice of such failure and an opportunity to correct it under a circumstance where the conduct constituting “Cause” is reasonably open to a cure (for instance, where the conduct does not involve a violation of trust or otherwise adversely affect the relationship between the Participant and the Company on a going-forward basis), and the period to correct shall be established by the Committee; (v) any act or omission materially adverse to the interest of the Company or any Affiliate, or reasonably likely to result in material harm to the Company or any Affiliate; (vi) failure to comply in any material respect with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or Insider Trading Policy, or willful, repeated failure to comply in any material respect with the Company’s Executive Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines, if applicable; or (vii) failure to comply in any material respect with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or any rules or regulations thereunder, or any similar, applicable statute, regulation or legal requirement.

(c) “Change in Control” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Plan.

(d)“CIC Date” means the date on which the relevant Change in Control shall have occurred.

(e)“Committee” means the Board of Directors of Forward Air Corporation or such committee or committees appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

(f)“Common Shares” means shares of Common Stock issued in settlement of the Award.

(g)“Company” means Forward Air Corporation and its Affiliates, except where the context otherwise requires.  For purposes of determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, Company shall mean only Forward Air Corporation.

(h)“Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share” means the sum of the Company’s annual EBITDA Per Share for each year during the Performance Period.
(i)“Disability” means that the Participant is (i) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to last until the Participant’s death or result in death, or (ii) determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or other governmental or quasi-governmental body that administers a comparable social insurance program outside of the United States in which the Participant participates and which conditions the right to receive benefits under such program on the Participant being unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to last until the Participant’s death or result in death so long as such disability is within the meaning specified under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(a)(4).  The Committee shall have sole authority to determine whether the Participant has suffered a Disability and may require such medical or other evidence as it deems necessary to judge the nature and permanency of the Participant’s condition.

(j)“EBITDA” means, for any year, reported income from operations of the Company, as determined in accordance with general accepted accounting principles consistent with past practices and as reflected on the Company’s consolidated financial statements excluding depreciation and amortization, as may be adjusted by the Committee in its sole discretion to exclude the impact of certain items including non-operational or non-recurring costs, charges and expenses.
(k)“EBITDA Per Share” means, the per share amount obtained by dividing EBITDA by that number of shares of Common Stock used to calculate the Company’s reported full-year, fully-diluted earnings per share for the relevant period. 

(l) “E/S Multiplier” means a number determined as follows:

	
		
	Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share
	E/S Multiplier

	$23.50
	200%

	$22.00
	150%

	$20.35
	100%

	$18.10
	50%

	$16.75
	25%

	Below $16.75
	0%

The E/S Multiplier for an achieved Three-Year Cumulative EBITDA Per Share falling between the percentages set forth in the table above shall be determined by straight-line interpolation.

(m) “Executive Severance Plan” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereto.
(n)“Insider Trading Policy” means the written policy of the Company pertaining to the sale, transfer or other disposition of the Company’s equity securities by members of the Board, officers or other employees who may possess material, non-public information regarding the Company, as in effect at the time of a disposition of any Common Shares.

(o)“Involuntary Termination” means the termination of Service of the Participant provided that such termination is either (a) initiated by the Company or a parent or subsidiary of the Company, or a successor to any such entity for a reason other than Disability, death, Retirement or for Cause, or (b) if the Participant is, at the time of such termination, a participant in the Executive Severance Plan, initiated by the Participant for “Good Reason” following a “Change Date,” as such terms are defined under the Executive Severance Plan.

(p)“Performance Share” means a right to receive on the Settlement Date one (1) Common Share, subject to further restrictions as provided by this Agreement.

(q)“Retirement” means the Participant’s termination of Service with the Company and its Affiliates on or after attainment of age 65.

(r)“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and any applicable regulations or administrative guidelines promulgated thereunder.

(s)“Section 409A Deferred Compensation” means compensation payable pursuant to the Award granted to a Participant subject to United States income taxation that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A.

(t)“Service” means the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates.  The Participant’s Service will be considered to have ceased with the Company and its Affiliates if, immediately after a sale, merger or other corporate transaction, the trade, business or entity with which the Participant is employed or otherwise has a service relationship is not Forward Air Corporation or an Affiliate of Forward Air Corporation.

(u)“Settlement Date” means the date so specified on the Grant Notice; provided, however, that in the event of termination of the Participant’s Service by reason of death or Disability, the term “Settlement Date” shall mean the sixtieth (60th) day after the day on which the Participant’s Service terminates.

(v)“Substitute Award” means, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the outstanding Award that is assumed or an equivalent award, as determined in the discretion of the Committee, that is granted in substitution for the outstanding Award by the successor corporation to the Company or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation.  For the avoidance of doubt, a Substitute Award with respect to the Award outstanding as of immediately before the Change in Control may include, without limitation, an award that consists of a notional account that, as of the CIC Date, is credited with an amount equal to the product of (a) the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Common Stock in the Change in Control multiplied by (b) the greater of (i) 100% of the Target Number of Performance Shares specified on the Grant Notice or (ii) the number of Performance Shares that would have become vested as of the Performance Share Vesting Date, based on the E/S Multiplier attained as of the CIC Date, determined as if the CIC Date is the last day of the Performance Period, and which notional account becomes vested and shall be paid to the Participant on the original Performance Share Vesting Date specified on the Grant Notice provided that the Participant’s Service with the Company or its successor, or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation, continues through such date, subject to earlier payment pursuant to Section 5.5 of this Agreement.  The value of the notional account may, but need not, be credited with interest, earnings and losses or otherwise fluctuate by reference to stock of the Company or the acquiring entity or any parent company of the acquiring entity, and the notional account may be settled in cash, stock of the Company or the acquiring entity or any parent company of the acquiring entity, or other property.

{End of Agreement}Exhibit

CVR Partners, LP
Performance-Based Bonus Plan

Philosophy / Background
CVR Partners, LP (the “Company”) is committed to wages and benefits that are competitive with a market-based, pay-for-performance compensation philosophy, providing such base pay, bonus and long-term incentive awards in line with those of the fertilizer industry.  This Performance-Based Bonus Plan (the “Plan”) is intended to reward high performance employees, and to retain these employees in critical roles, through the issuance of bonus awards (each, a “Bonus”).

Administration
The Plan is maintained and administered by, or under the direction of, the Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") of the board of directors (the “Board”) of the general partner of the Company with respect to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, excluding CVR Energy, Inc. (“CVI”), CVR Refining, LP (“CVRR”), their respective general partners and their respective subsidiaries (references to “employees” within this Plan are references to all employees of the foregoing entities).  
The Compensation Committee shall annually approve all salaries, targets and bonus metrics for employees in Grade E14 and above, and shall annually approve a total bonus pool for employees in Grade E13 and below. The Compensation Committee delegates to the Chief Executive Officer the authority to approve payouts from such total bonus pool to employees in Grade 13 and below, in his sole discretion. The Chief Executive Officer shall also be responsible for assigning salaries, bonus targets, and Grade levels to employees in Grade 13 and below.
In the event of a claim or dispute brought forth by any employee with a Grade level of E11 or below, the decision of the Chief Executive as to the facts in the case and the meaning and intent of any provision of the Plan, or its application, shall be final, binding, and conclusive. In the event of a claim or dispute brought forth by any employee with a Grade level of E12 or above, the decision of the Compensation Committee as to the facts in the case and the meaning and intent of any provision of the Plan, or its application, shall be final, binding, and conclusive.
The Plan described herein does not create a contractual obligation on the part of the Company.  The Company expressly reserves the right to modify, discontinue, or otherwise change the Plan outlined in this document at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company without advance notice.  
Introduction
The purpose of the Plan and any Bonus to be paid hereunder is to enhance the Company’s ability to attract, motivate, reward and retain employees, and to strengthen their commitment to the success of the Company.  

Eligibility and Administration
Bonuses are made based on the applicable calendar year during which the employees performed the services and are generally paid (to the extent payable) after the financials have been audited and within 90 days of the end of the calendar year (the “Performance Period” or “Period”).  

Generally, only exempt, non-exempt and non-union hourly employees are eligible to receive a Bonus, provided that, to receive a Bonus, an employee must: (i) be actively employed with the Company for at least 180 days during the calendar year; (ii) consistently perform at or above expectations for their role; (iii) be actively employed on the date of payout and not on a performance improvement plan or in corrective or disciplinary action status as a result of poor performance during the Performance Period. Employees hired prior to October 1 during the Performance Period will be eligible to receive a Bonus provided the above requirements (ii) and (iii) are met.

Subject to annual review, Bonuses are computed in accordance with each eligible employee’s Grade (as shown in Appendix A), prorated for time in an eligible position, as well as a performance multiplier of zero to 150 percent, based on performance against the achievement of the allocated Company and individual performance measures described herein. Appendices A-E present the overall compensation structure (Appendix A), example calculations (Appendices B, C), eligibility (Appendix D) and bonus payout measures (Appendix E). The Individual Performance Multiplier component of a Bonus, if any, is entirely discretionary.  

In addition, if the Adjusted EBITDA Threshold established for the Company for a given Performance Period is not reached, no Bonus will be paid for the Period, subject to Compensation Committee discretion. The Compensation Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, wave the adjusted EBITDA threshold requirement, increase, decrease, or otherwise adjust performance measures, targets, and payout ranges used hereunder, as a result of extraordinary or non-recurring events, changes in applicable accounting rules or principles, changes in the Company’s methods of accounting, changes in applicable law, changes due to consolidations, growth capital spend programs, acquisitions, or reorganizations affecting the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, or other similar changes in the Company’s business.

Company Performance: Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Measures – 25%
EH&S measures are as follows (see Appendix F for definitions):
		
	•
	Personal Safety – Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR);

		
	•
	Process Safety – Process Safety Tier 1 Events Incident Rate (PSIR); and

		
	•
	Environmental Events (EE) - Number of “numerical” releases, spills, permit exceedances and violations.

Company Performance: Financial Measures – 75%
Financial measures are objectives related to the following (see Appendix F for definitions):
		
	•
	Reliability; 

		
	•
	Equipment Utilization; 

		
	•
	Operating Expense; and  

		
	•
	Return on Capital Employed. 

Spot Bonus

Introduction
Employees making an extraordinary contribution to the furtherance of Company financial performance or advances in Company culture may be nominated by their manager or executive sponsor for a Bonus on a spot basis (a “Spot Bonus”), subject to approval by the Chief Executive. Spot Bonuses will be limited to employees in salary grades E14 and below and a maximum value of five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Terms and Conditions of Spot Bonus 
Except as specifically set forth herein, the foregoing provisions of the Plan will likewise apply to a Spot Bonus.  For the avoidance of doubt, these provisions relate to, among others, forfeiture and/or recoupment, amendment or termination, tax withholding, data protection and consent and governing law. 

General Provisions

See Appendix F for definitions relating to the Plan.

Participation in the Plan is subject to (i) each individual employee’s compliance with the Company’s mission and values, its code of ethics and its policies and procedures, including, without limitation, the Corporate Policies and Procedures and employee handbook (collectively, “Company Policies”), and (ii) the Clawback and Recoupment Policy attached as Appendix G.

Each employee that is eligible and receives a Bonus or Spot Bonus will be liable for any and all federal, state, provincial, local or foreign taxes, pension plan contributions, employment insurance premiums, social insurance contributions, amounts payable to a governmental and/or regulatory body in the employee’s country and other levies of any kind required by applicable laws to be deducted or withheld with respect to any such award (collectively, the “Withholding Taxes”). The Company will have the right to deduct and withhold all required Withholding Taxes from any payment or other consideration deliverable to an employee pursuant to any such payment. All awards under the Plan are intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.

Participation in the Plan does not confer upon any employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or its subsidiaries, nor interfere in any way with the right of the Company and its subsidiaries to terminate any employee’s employment at any time.  The Company and its subsidiaries are under no obligation to continue the Plan in future years.  

The Compensation Committee may at any time, or from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) amend, alter or modify the provisions of this Plan, (b) terminate this Plan, or (c) terminate the participation of an employee or group of employees in this Plan; provided, however, that in the event of the termination of the Plan or a termination of participation, the Compensation Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may determine that a prorated award is payable to employees who were participants in this Plan under such terms and conditions as established by the Compensation Committee.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, whether or not any payment or award is authorized, earned or paid under the Plan will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, and no such payment or award shall be earned, nor shall any right to any such payment or award exist or accrue, unless, among other factors, such payment or award has been authorized by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, and actually paid to the employee.   In addition, whether or not any payment or award is authorized, earned or paid pursuant to the Plan is without regard to whether any of the individual performance metrics, financial performance targets and/or goals, or any other benchmarks, targets, personal goals or criteria set forth in the Plan are met, not met, exceeded or not exceeded.
No employee, beneficiary or other person shall have any right, title or interest in any amount awarded under the Plan prior to the payment of such award to him or her.  An employee’s rights to a payment under the Plan are no greater than those of unsecured general creditors of the Company or its subsidiaries.
By participating in the Plan, each employee consents to the holding and processing of personal information provided by such employee to the employer, any affiliate of the employer, trustee or third party service provider, for all purposes relating to the operation of the Plan.  Consents include, but are not limited to: (i) administering and maintaining employee records; (ii) providing information to the employer, its affiliates, trustees of any employee benefit trust, registrars, brokers or third party administrators of the Plan; (iii) providing information to future purchasers or merger partners of the employer or any of its affiliates, or the business in which the employee works; and (iv) to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, transferring information about the employee to any country or territory that may not provide the same protection for the information as the employee’s home country.
The Plan is governed by the laws of the State of New York and as such will be construed under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law.

Appendix A 
Compensation Structure: Base Pay & Incentive Plans

[Table Redacted]
Individual Performance Measures
Supervisor’s assessment of employee’s performance will be based on the following categories:
		
	•
	Interpersonal effectiveness

		
	•
	Business conduct

		
	•
	Professional and technical development

		
	•
	Leadership 

		
	•
	Achievement of goals

		
	•
	Results orientation

The assessment is discretionary and based on a wide range of considerations which often change over the course of the year.

Appendix B
Bonus Payout and Company Performance Calculations

               Bonus Payout Calculation:

    

               **Company Performance Multiplier:

Appendix C
Bonus Payout Examples

Appendix D 
CVR Partners, LP

Eligibility
Non-union direct employees of Company, its general partner and their respective subsidiaries, including Fertilizer Executives, Marketing, Logistics, Company Controller, Coffeyville Nitrogen Planning and East Dubuque Nitrogen Fertilizers Planning.

Appendix E
CVR Partners, LP
Bonus Payout Measures

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Measures (25%)
Three measures evenly weighted (33-1/3% each): Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), Process Safety Tier I Incident Rate (PSIR), and Environmental Events (EE):
    
	
			
	Percentage Change(over the prior year)
	 
	Bonus Achievement

	Increase in Incident Rate or Incidents
	 
	Zero

	0%
	 
	50% of Target Percentage (Threshold)

	Decrease > 0% and < 3%
	 
	Linear Interpolation between Threshold and Target

	Decrease of 3%
	 
	Target Percentage

	Decrease > 3% and < 10%
	 
	Linear Interpolation between Target and Maximum

	Decrease of 10% or more, or if TRIR is maintained at or below 1.0, PSIR at or below 0.2 and EE at or below 20
	 
	150% of Target (Maximum)

Financial Measures (75%) 
Four measures evenly weighted (25% each):

	
			
	Reliability
	 
	Bonus Achievement

	Greater than 8.0%
	 
	Zero

	8.00%
	 
	50% of Target Percentage (Threshold)

	6.01% to 7.99%
	 
	Linear Interpolation between Threshold and Target

	6.00%
	 
	Target Percentage

	5.0% to 5.99%
	 
	Linear Interpolation between Target and Maximum

	Less than 5.0%
	 
	150% of Target (Maximum)

	
			
	Equipment Utilization
	 
	Bonus Achievement

	Less than 95%
	 
	Zero

	95%
	 
	50% of Target Percentage (Threshold)

	95.01% to 99.99%
	 
	Linear Interpolation between Threshold and Target

	100%
	 
	Target Percentage

	100.01% to 104.99%
	 
	Linear Interpolation between Target and Maximum

	Greater than 105%
	 
	150% of Target (Maximum)

	
			
	Operating Expense
	 
	Bonus Achievement

	Greater than 103.0%
	 
	Zero

	103%
	 
	50% of Target Percentage (Threshold)

	100.1% to 102.99%
	 
	Linear Interpolation between Threshold and Target

	100%
	 
	Target Percentage

	95.0% to 99.99%
	 
	Linear Interpolation between Target and Maximum

	Less than 95%
	 
	150% of Target (Maximum)

	ROCE (Ranking vs. Peer Group*)
	 
	Bonus Achievement

	First (highest)
	 
	150% of Target (Maximum)

	Second
	 
	125% of Target Percentage

	Third
	 
	112.5% of Target Percentage

	Fourth
	 
	Target Percentage (100%)

	Fifth
	 
	75% of Target Percentage

	Sixth
	 
	50% of Target Percentage (Minimum)

	Seventh
	 
	Zero

Performance measures subject to peer group ranking will be based on LTM data as of September 30 of the Performance Period.

*The Fertilizer Industry peer group will consist of CF Industries, LSB Industries, Nutrien Ltd., The Andersons, Inc., Green Plains Partners and Flotek Industries.

Appendix F
Definitions

“Adjusted EBITDA” for the Company means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and adjusted for first-in, first-out accounting impacts, unrealized gains and losses on derivative transactions, turnaround expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt, asset impairment charges, non-controlling interest and board-directed actions.

“Adjusted EBITDA Threshold” means actual capital expenditures plus reserves for major scheduled turnaround expenses plus interest on debt for the given Performance Period. In Performance Periods that include a turnaround, Adjusted EBITDA Threshold will equal capital expenditures plus total turnaround spend less established turnaround reserves (excluding reserves added in the current period) plus interest on debt. [Redacted]

“Chief Executive” means the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

“Eligible Compensation” means (i) for eligible exempt employees, such employee’s base salary at the time the Bonus or Spot Bonus is determined (prorated for time in an eligible position), and (ii) for eligible non-exempt and non-union hourly employees, such employees’ eligible wages for the applicable year as determined by the Company to be required by law. 

“Environmental Events” (“EE”) means the total number of reportable quantities and water deviations.  
		
	•
	 Reportable quantities are releases of substances during a 24-hour period that exceed a federal, state or local reporting threshold.

		
	o
	Reportable quantity is an event or contemporaneous combination of events during at 24-hour period that results in a release that exceeds a reportable quantity or quantities of a EPCRA/CERCLA compound as defined in the EPA List of Lists or a release that exceeds any other federal, state or local reporting threshold.  Federally permitted releases and continuous releases defined in 40 CFR §302.6 and §302.8 are not considered reportable quantities under this measure.

		
	o
	A reportable quantity is counted by event or contemporaneous combination of events, not by the number of individual reports that are filed or number of compounds which exceed their reportable quantity.  Events are considered contemporaneous if they occur within 24-hours or when a common cause results in one or more reportable quantities during contiguous or overlapping 24-hour periods.

		
	•
	Water deviations are exceedances of a NPDES-based permit limit, wastewater bypasses and sheens to water of the United States.  

		
	o
	The number of deviations is based on the number of individual permit limits exceeded irrespective of the number of causal events attributed to the deviation.  However, a continuance of an ongoing permit limit deviation would not be double-counted if it were contemporaneous with a prior deviation and/or event.  

		
	o
	Oil sheens and reportable quantities to water are only counted once as a water deviation environmental event.

A single event that results in multiple reportable quantities and/or when a water deviation is also a regulatory reportable quantity is not “double-counted” and will only be considered one Environmental Event.
“Executive Officer” of the Company means an “executive officer” as that term is defined in Rule 3b-7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or an “officer” of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

“Equipment Utilization” means adjusted equivalent tons of urea ammonium nitrate production divided by the planned equivalent tons of production for the Performance Period, as adjusted at the discretion of the Compensation Committee for events or downtime caused by third parties.  Planned production is reflected in the Company’s annual volumetric plan. Monthly targets may be adjusted on a month by month basis to optimize production for which there is an economic incentive to do so during the given period. In such cases, the annual volumetric plan will be adjusted for the purposes of Bonus calculations with the new targets in place of the original targets.

“Operating Expense” means measurement of actual controllable and fixed operating costs divided by budgeted amounts. For purposes of calculating the Bonus, budgeted amounts are subject to revision by the Board in its discretion based on changes in business conditions or configuration of the business (e.g., items such as acquisitions or divestitures, unusual or non-recurring charges and changes in staffing relating to changed strategy approved by the Board will be considered as items for potential adjustment).  

“Process Safety Incident Rate” (“PSIR”) means a standardized measure of process safety performance for the number of process safety tier 1 events per 100 full-time equivalent employees, as defined in the recommended practice for process safety performance indicators, ANSI/API RP 754.   
A process safety tier 1 event is an unplanned or uncontrolled loss of primary containment of any material, including non-toxic and non-flammable materials, from a process that results in one or more consequences, including: 
		
	•
	an employee, contractor or subcontractor “days away from work” injury and/or fatality;

		
	•
	a hospital admission and/or fatality or a third-party;

		
	•
	an officially declared community evacuation or community shelter-in-place;

		
	•
	a fire or explosion resulting in greater than or equal to $25,000 of direct cost to the company;

		
	•
	an officially declared community evacuation or community shelter-in-place;

		
	•
	a pressure relief device (PRD) discharge to atmosphere whether directly or via a downstream destructive device that results in one or more of four defined consequences and a PRD discharge quantity greater than defined threshold quantities in a one-hour period; or,

		
	•
	a release of material greater than defined threshold quantities described in any one-hour period.

“Reliability” means Lost Profit Opportunity (“LPO”), defined as foregone gross margin that results from operational variance due to factors within the Company’s control, specifically including human and equipment performance, divided by the sum of actual gross margin plus LPO.

“Return on Capital Employed” (“ROCE”) means operating income before depreciation and amortization (excluding asset impairments, non-cash asset write-downs and inventory valuation gains or losses) divided by average Capital Employed during the Period (averages calculated using 5-quarter end balances for the measurement period). 

“Capital Employed” means total assets, less current liabilities (adjusted for any asset or inventory valuations imputed on operating income.

“Total Recordable Injury Rate” (“TRIR”) means a standardized measure of safety performance for the number of work-related injuries per 100 full-time equivalent employees, as defined by OSHA.    
Appendix G 
Clawback and Recoupment Policy

This Clawback and Recoupment Policy applies to each Bonus and Spot Bonus (for purposes of this Plan, an “Award”).   

If the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, determines that (i) there has been misconduct or a gross dereliction of duty resulting in either a violation of law or Company Policy, that, in either case, causes significant financial or reputational harm to the Company (or any of its affiliates), and that an employee committed the misconduct or gross dereliction of duty, or failed in his or her responsibility to manage or monitor the applicable conduct or risk; (ii) an employee has committed an immoral act which is reasonably likely to impair the reputation of the Company (or any of its affiliates); (iii) an employee committed, or was indicted for, a felony or any crime involving fraud or embezzlement or dishonesty or was convicted of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to a misdemeanor (other than a traffic violation) punishable by imprisonment under federal, state or local law; (iv) an employee violated any securities or employment laws or regulations; (v) an employee materially breached a Company Policy or any non-compete and/or non-solicitation clause included in an agreement or offer letter with such employee’s employer; (vi) an employee embezzled and/or misappropriated any property of the Company (or any of its affiliates) or committed any act involving fraud with respect to the Company (or any of its affiliates); or (vii) an employee engaged in conduct (including by omission) or an event or condition has occurred, which, in each case, would have given the Company or its subsidiaries the right to terminate the employee’s employment for Cause (as defined herein), then, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, such Compensation Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may cancel, declare forfeited, or rescind such Award, or may seek reimbursement from such employee (and such employee will be obligated to repay) all or any portion of any payments made to such employee in respect of such Award.

If the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that calculations underlying the performance measures and targets, including but not limited to mistakes in the Company’s financial statements, were incorrect, then such Compensation Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, seek to recover the amount of any payment made to employees that exceeded the amount that would have been paid based on the corrected calculations.

To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, if an employee is an officer, or, if applicable, has otherwise been designated by the Board of the Company as an Executive Officer, the Board may seek reimbursement of any payment made to such employee in respect of an Award in the event of a restatement of such Company’s (or any of its subsidiaries’) financial results (occurring due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under applicable securities laws) that reduced a previously granted payment made to such employee in respect of an Award.  In that event, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, seek to recover the amount of any such payment made to the employee that exceeded the amount that would have been paid based on the restated financial results.

If the Company subsequently determines that it is required by law to apply a “clawback” or alternate recoupment provision to an Award, under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or otherwise, then such clawback or recoupment provision also shall apply to such Award, as if it had been included on the effective date of such Award.

To the extent not prohibited under applicable law, the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) (as applicable), in its sole and absolute discretion, will have the right to set off (or cause to be set off) any amounts otherwise due to employee from such Company or a subsidiary in satisfaction of any repayment obligation of such employee hereunder, provided that any such amounts are exempt from, or set off in a manner intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ rights under this Plan will apply to employees, without regard to whether any such employee is currently providing, or previously provided, services to the Company or its subsidiary as an employee.

“Cause” for purposes of any Award means such employee’s (i) refusal or neglect to perform substantially his or her employment-related duties or services, (ii) personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty, (iii) indictment for, conviction of or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime constituting a felony or his or her willful violation of any applicable law (other than a traffic violation or other offense or violation outside of the course of employment or services to the Company or its affiliates which in no way adversely affects the Company and its affiliates or their reputation or the ability of the employee to perform his or her employment-related duties or services or to represent the Company or any affiliate of the Company that employs such employee or to which the employee performs services), (iv) failure to reasonably cooperate, following a request to do so by the Company, in any internal or governmental investigation of the Company or any of its affiliates or (v) material breach of any written covenant or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates not to disclose any information pertaining to the Company or such affiliate or not to compete or interfere with the Company or such affiliate; provided that, in the case of any employee who, as of the date of determination, is party to an effective services, severance or employment agreement with the Company or any affiliate, “Cause” will have the meaning, if any, specified in such agreement.

UAN Bonus Plan Approved March 19, 2019        Page 1

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