Document:

sbh-ex1028_578.htm

 

 

Exhibit 10.28

 

 

SALLY BEAUTY HOLDINGS, INC. 

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

 

Upon recommendation and approval by the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the  Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), the Board has adopted the following compensation policy, effective as of October 1, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), for independent directors of the Company.  The compensation policy has been developed to compensate certain independent directors of the Company for their time, commitment and contributions to the Board.  This policy shall apply to directors of the Company who are not Company employees (each an “Independent Director”).

CASH COMPENSATION

Retainers for Serving on the Board

Independent Directors shall be paid an annual cash retainer of $70,000, payable in advance in quarterly installments, for each calendar year of service on the Board.  Cash retainers for partial years of service shall be pro-rated to reflect the number of days served by an Independent Director during any such quarter.

Retainers for Serving as Chairpersons

An additional annual cash retainer shall be paid to an Independent Director who serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (the “Non-Executive Chairman”) or chairperson of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, or Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Such additional retainer shall be payable in advance in quarterly installments, in the following annualized amounts:

Non-Executive Chairman$150,000
Audit Committee$25,000
Compensation Committee$20,000
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee$18,000

The Compensation Committee may recommend an additional retainer or lump sum cash payment for the Non-Executive Chairman of up to $150,000 annually to reflect increased responsibilities as may occur from time to time.  The Compensation Committee may recommend an additional retainer or lump sum cash payment for other Independent Directors of up to $50,000 annually to reflect increased responsibilities as may occur from time to time.

 

 

 

Additional retainers paid to the Non-Executive Chairman or committee chairpersons for partial years of service shall be pro-rated to reflect the number of days served by an Independent Director during any such quarter.

Meeting Fees

For in-person Board or committee meetings, each Independent Director in attendance shall receive $2,000.  For telephonic Board or committee meetings for which minutes are kept, each independent director in attendance shall receive $1,000.

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

Annual Grants

Each Independent Director shall be granted an annual equity-based retainer award with a value at the time of issuance of approximately $140,000.   Such award shall normally be made at the first Board meeting each Company fiscal year in the form of grants of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), in accordance with  the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan then in effect (“Omnibus Plan”), and shall vest on the last day of such fiscal year.  Independent Directors whose Board service begins after the start of a Company fiscal year shall receive a grant pro-rated to reflect the number of days remaining in such fiscal year. 

The Compensation Committee may recommend an additional equity based retainer for the Non-Executive Chairman of up to $100,000 annually to reflect increased responsibilities as may occur from time to time.  

 

RSUs Granted Prior to October 1, 2012

Upon vesting of RSUs granted prior to October 1, 2012, Independent Director RSUs shall be deferred into deferred stock units that shall be distributed six months after such Independent Director’s Board service terminates.  

In the event an Independent Director’s Board service terminates because of death, disability or involuntary termination without Cause (as defined in the Omnibus Plan), a pro rata portion of such Independent Director’s unvested RSUs shall vest upon such termination. If an Independent Director’s Board service is terminated for any other reason than the foregoing RSUs shall be canceled upon such termination.

 

RSUs Granted Following October 1, 2012

With respect to RSUs granted following October 1, 2012, Independent Directors may elect, by the deadline imposed by the Compensation Committee of the Board in compliance with Section 409A of the Code, to defer delivery of the shares of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) that would otherwise be due on the vesting date until a later date as specified in such Independent Director’s deferral election form.  The Company shall establish the rules and procedures for such payment deferrals in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and Treasury regulations and guidance with 

 

 

 

respect to such law.  If an Independent Director does not make such election, he or she will receive shares of Common Stock in settlement of the RSU on the vesting date.

In the event an Independent Director’s Board service terminates because of death or disability, a pro rata portion of such Independent Director’s unvested RSUs shall vest upon such termination. If an Independent Director’s Board service is terminated for any other reason than the foregoing RSUs shall be canceled upon such termination.

 

TRAVEL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT

 

Each of the Independent Directors shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses which they properly incur in connection with their functions and duties as a director.  With respect to air travel, reimbursements shall be limited to the cost of first-class commercial airline tickets for the trip and date in question.

Minimum STOCK Ownership GUIDELINES

Each Independent Director must own shares of Common Stock in an amount equal to 5x his or her base annual cash retainer (excluding additional annual cash retainers for the Non-Executive Chairman and committee chairpersons and meeting fees). Independent Directors are required to achieve the applicable level of ownership within five years of becoming subject to the requirements. Until such time as the Independent Director reaches his or her equity ownership guideline, the Independent Director will be required to retain 100% of the shares of Common Stock received upon settlement of his or her restricted stock units.  

 

Equity that Counts Toward Meeting the Guidelines: 

	
 
	
•
	
Shares owned directly (e.g., shares purchased in the open market, etc.)

	
 
	
•
	
Shares owned indirectly (e.g., by a spouse, trust or limited partnership or any other entity) 

	
 
	
•
	
Shares underlying vested restricted stock units 

	
 
	
•
	
Shares the receipt of which have been deferred 

 

Equity that Does Not Count Toward Meeting the Guidelines: 

	
 
	
•
	
Unexercised options (whether vested or unvested)

	
 
	
•
	
Unvested restricted stock units 

 

 

 

 

Compliance with the Guidelines:

Equity ownership guidelines for Independent Directors are determined as a multiple of his or her base annual cash retainer and then converted to a fixed number of shares based on an average of the prior fiscal year’s quarter-end closing stock prices.  Independent Directors serving on the Board as of October 1, 2012 first became subject to the guidelines as of such date, which was the initial date of determination for such Independent Directors. Independent Directors becoming subject to the guidelines following October 1, 2012 will have their individual guidelines established based upon the base annual cash retainer at the time they become subject to the guidelines, which shall be the date of determination for such Independent Director.  The guideline establishing the required ownership level based on a multiple of the base annual cash retainer will be re-determined each December 1st thereafter based on the then-current annual cash retainer and an average of the prior fiscal year’s quarter-end closing stock prices. Once established each year, an Independent Director’s guideline does not change as a result of fluctuations in the market price of the Common Stock.  Once achieved, ownership of the guideline amount must be maintained for as long as the Independent Director is subject to the guidelines.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board will be responsible for monitoring compliance with these stock ownership guidelines.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE, AMENDMENT, REVISION AND TERMINATION

This policy may be amended, revised or terminated by the Compensation Committee of the Board at any time and from time-to-time.Exhibit

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of November 5, 2018, is entered into by and between ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and ST. GEORGE INVESTMENTS LLC, a Utah limited liability company, its successors and/or assigns (“Investor”).
A.    Company and Investor are executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
B.    Investor desires to purchase and Company desires to issue and sell, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, a Secured Convertible Promissory Note, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, in the original principal amount of $1,220,000.00 (the “Note”), convertible into shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Company (the “Common Stock”), upon the terms and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in such Note. 
C.    This Agreement, the Note, the Subordination Agreement (as defined below), the Investor Notes (as defined below), the Consent (as defined below), the Trust Deed (as defined below), and all other certificates, documents, agreements, resolutions and instruments delivered to any party under or in connection with this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents”.
D.    For purposes of this Agreement: “Conversion Shares” means all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of all or any portion of the Note; and “Securities” means the Note and the Conversion Shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Company and Investor hereby agree as follows:
1.Purchase and Sale of Securities.
1.1.    Purchase of Securities. Company shall issue and sell to Investor and Investor shall purchase from Company the Note. In consideration thereof, Investor shall pay (i) $200,000.00 (the “Initial Cash Purchase Price”), and (ii) issue to Company the Investor Notes (the sum of the initial principal amounts of the Investor Notes, together with the Initial Cash Purchase Price, the “Purchase Price”). The Purchase Price, the OID (as defined below), and the Transaction Expense Amount (as defined below) are allocated to the Tranches (as defined in the Note) of the Note as set forth in the table attached hereto as Exhibit B.
1.2.    Form of Payment. On the Closing Date (as defined below), (i) Investor shall pay the Purchase Price to Company by delivering the following at the Closing: (A) the Initial Cash Purchase Price, which shall be delivered by wire transfer of immediately available funds to Company, in accordance with Company’s written wiring instructions; (B) Investor Note #1 in the principal amount of $100,000.00 duly executed and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“Investor Note #1”); (C) Investor Note #2 in the principal amount of $100,000.00  duly executed and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“Investor Note #2”); (D) Investor Note #3 in the principal amount of $100,000.00 duly executed and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“Investor Note #3”); (E) Investor Note #4 in the principal amount of $100,000.00  duly executed and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“Investor Note #4”); (F) Investor Note #5 in the principal amount of $100,000.00  duly executed and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“Investor Note #5”); (G) Investor Note #6 in the principal amount of $100,000.00  duly executed and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“Investor Note #6”); (H) Investor Note #7 in the principal amount of $100,000.00  duly executed and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“Investor Note #7”); and (I) Investor Note #8 in the principal amount of $100,000.00  duly executed and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (“Investor Note #8”, and together with Investor Note #1, Investor Note #2, Investor Note #3, Investor Note #4, Investor Note #5, Investor Note #6, and Investor Note #7, the “Investor Notes”); and (ii) Company shall deliver the duly executed Note on behalf of Company, to Investor, against delivery of such Purchase Price. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Investor Notes to the contrary, Investor shall have no obligation to fund any Investor Notes if the aggregate outstanding balance from all loans owing by Company to Investor exceeds $2,500,000.00.   
1.3.    Closing Date. Subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 5 and Section 6 below, the date of the issuance and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (the “Closing Date”) shall be November __, 2018, or such other mutually agreed upon date. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall occur on the Closing Date by means of the exchange by email of signed .pdf documents, but shall be deemed for all purposes to have occurred at the offices of Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC in Lehi, Utah.
1.4.    Collateral for the Note. The Note shall be secured by that certain Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Trust Deed and Fixture Filing recorded on May 17, 2018 in the official records of Adams County, Colorado, as Reception #2018000039976 (as amended by that certain First Amendment to Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Trust Deed and Fixture Filing attached hereto as Exhibit D, the “Trust Deed”) encumbering certain real property in Adams County, Colorado described therein (the “Property”).  
1.5.    Collateral for Investor Notes. Initially, none of the Investor Notes will be secured, but all or any of the Investor Notes may become secured subsequent to the Closing by such collateral and at such time as determined by Investor in its sole discretion. In the event Investor desires to secure any of the Investor Notes, Company shall timely execute any and all amendments and documents and take such other measures requested by Investor that are necessary or advisable in order to properly secure the applicable Investor Notes.
1.6.    Original Issue Discount; Transaction Expense Amount. The Note carries an original issue discount of $200,000.00 (the “OID”). In addition, Company agrees to pay $20,000.00 to Investor to cover Investor’s legal fees, accounting costs, due diligence, monitoring and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Securities (the “Transaction Expense Amount”), all of which amount is included in the initial principal balance of the Note. The Purchase Price, therefore, shall be $1,000,000.00, computed as follows: $1,220,000.00 initial principal balance, less the OID, less the Transaction Expense Amount. The Initial Cash Purchase Price shall be the Purchase Price less the sum of the initial principal amounts of the Investor Notes. The portions of the OID and the Transaction Expense Amount allocated to the Initial Cash Purchase Price are set forth on Exhibit B.
2.    Investor’s Representations and Warranties. Investor represents and warrants to Company that as of the Closing Date: (i) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized; (ii) this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Investor enforceable in accordance with its terms; (iii) Investor is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act; and (iv) this Agreement, the Investor Notes, the Consent and the Subordination Agreement have been duly executed and delivered on behalf of Investor.
3.    Company’s Representations and Warranties. Company represents and warrants to Investor that as of the Closing Date: (%4) Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted; (%4) Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary; (%4) Company has registered its Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and is obligated to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act; (%4) each of the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by Company and all necessary actions have been taken; (%4) this Agreement, the Note, the Trust Deed, the Consent, the Subordination Agreement and the other Transaction Documents have been duly executed and delivered by Company and constitute the valid and binding obligations of Company enforceable in accordance with their terms; (%4) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by Company, the issuance of the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, and the consummation by Company of the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach by Company of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (a) Company’s formation documents or bylaws, each as currently in effect, (b) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other material agreement or instrument to which Company is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are bound, including, without limitation, any listing agreement for the Common Stock, or (c) any existing applicable law, rule, or regulation or any applicable decree, judgment, or order of any court, United States federal, state or foreign regulatory body, administrative agency, or other governmental body having jurisdiction over Company or any of Company’s properties or assets; (%4) no further authorization, approval or consent of any court, governmental body, regulatory agency, self-regulatory organization, or stock exchange or market or the stockholders or any lender of Company is required to be obtained by Company for the issuance of the Securities to Investor or the entering into of the Transaction Documents; (%4) none of Company’s filings with the SEC contained, at the time they were filed, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (%4) Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by Company with the SEC under the 1934 Act on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such report, schedule, form, statement or other document prior to the expiration of any such extension; (%4) there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board or body pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against or affecting Company before or by any governmental authority or non-governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality or any other person, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would have a material adverse effect on Company or which would adversely affect the validity or enforceability of, or the authority or ability of Company to perform its obligations under, any of the Transaction Documents; (%4) Company has not consummated any financing transaction that has not been disclosed in a periodic filing or current report with the SEC under the 1934 Act; (%4) Company is not, nor has it been at any time in the previous twelve (12) months, a “Shell Company,” as such type of “issuer” is described in Rule 144(i)(1) under the 1933 Act; (%4) with respect to any commissions, placement agent or finder’s fees or similar payments that will or would become due and owing by Company to any person or entity as a result of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Broker Fees”), any such Broker Fees will be made in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and only to a person or entity that is a registered investment adviser or registered broker-dealer; (%4) Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any Broker Fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other persons for fees of a type contemplated in this subsection that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each of Investor, Investor’s employees, officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, agents, and partners, and their respective affiliates, from and against all claims, losses, damages, costs (including the costs of preparation and attorneys’ fees) and expenses suffered in respect of any such claimed Broker Fees; (%4) when issued, the Conversion Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid for and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances; (%4) neither Investor nor any of its officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives has made any representations or warranties to Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents and, in making its decision to enter into the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, Company is not relying on any representation, warranty, covenant or promise of Investor or its officers, directors, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives other than as set forth in the Transaction Documents; (%4) Company acknowledges that the State of Utah has a reasonable relationship and sufficient contacts to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and any dispute that may arise related thereto such that the laws and venue of the State of Utah, as set forth more specifically in Section 10.3 below, shall be applicable to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated therein; (%4) the liens, security interests, and assignments created by the Trust Deed will, when granted and duly filed or recorded, constitute a valid, effective, properly perfected, and enforceable second priority lien on the Property; (%4) Company owns good and marketable fee simple absolute title to the Property, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances other than the first position lien in favor of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and Borrower is fully authorized to encumber the Property as set forth in this Agreement; and (%4) Company has performed due diligence and background research on Investor and its affiliates including, without limitation, John M. Fife, and, to its satisfaction, has made inquiries with respect to all matters Company may consider relevant to the undertakings and relationships contemplated by the Transaction Documents including, among other things, the following: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=7505107&ticker=UAHC; SEC Civil Case No. 07-C-0347 (N.D. Ill.); SEC Civil Action No. 07-CV-347 (N.D. Ill.); and FINRA Case #2011029203701. Company, being aware of the matters described in subsection (xx) above, acknowledges and agrees that such matters, or any similar matters, have no bearing on the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and covenants and agrees it will not use any such information as a defense to performance of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or in any attempt to avoid, modify or reduce such obligations.
4.    Company Covenants. Until all of Company’s obligations under all of the Transaction Documents are paid and performed in full, or within the timeframes otherwise specifically set forth below, Company will at all times comply with the following covenants: (%4) so long as Investor beneficially owns any of the Securities and for at least twenty (20) Trading Days (as defined in the Note) thereafter, Company will timely file on the applicable deadline all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, and will take all reasonable action under its control to ensure that adequate current public information with respect to Company, as required in accordance with Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, is publicly available, and will not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the 1934 Act even if the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would permit such termination; (%4) the Common Stock shall be listed or quoted for trading on any of (a) NYSE, (b) NASDAQ, (c) OTCQX, or (d) OTCQB; (%4) when issued, the Conversion Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid for and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances; (%4) trading in Company’s Common Stock will not be suspended, halted, chilled, frozen, reach zero bid or otherwise cease on Company’s principal trading market; (%4) Company will not transfer, assign, sell, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise alienate or encumber the Investor Notes in any way without the prior written consent of Investor, which consent may be given or withheld in Investor’s sole and absolute discretion; (%4) Company shall pay and at all times be current on its obligations to pay all property taxes and assessments, impact fees, park fees, and any other fees and assessments levied against or otherwise related to the Property and any penalties and interest associated with such taxes, whether such taxes are past due or due at a future time, and shall provide proof of such payment to Investor not later than fifteen (15) days prior to the due date for each such payment; (%4) Borrower shall comply with all laws, ordinances, regulations, and rules (federal, state, and local) relating to it, its assets, business, and operations, including without limitation all business operations on the Property and Borrower shall obtain and maintain in full force and effect all approvals and permits and shall comply in all material respects with all conditions and requirements of all approvals and permits affecting or related to the Property and any improvements constructed thereon; (%4) Borrower agrees to fully pay and discharge all claims for labor done and material and services furnished in connection with the construction of improvements, if any, upon the Property and take all other steps to forestall the assertion of claims or liens against the Property or any part thereof or right or interest appurtenant thereto, and in the event any liens are recorded against the Property, Company, at its sole cost and expense, shall cause the same to be removed within ten (10) days of its receipt of notice of any such liens; (%4) for so long as the Note remains outstanding, Company will not, without the prior written consent of Investor: (A) assign, transfer or convey any of its right, title or interest in all or any portion of the Property; or (B) create or suffer to be created any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance or other lien on all or any portion of the Property (other than to Global Ichiban Limited); (%4) Borrower covenants and agrees that, prior to the Closing, it will obtain all insurance policies required to be carried by Investor (including insurance covering damage to the Property and all improvements thereon as well as commercial liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence) and further agrees to cause Investor to be named as an additional insured of such policies of insurance; and (%4) Borrower covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold Investor harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, and expenses (including without limitation all attorneys’ fees) incurred by Investor as a result of or relating in any way to Company’s violation of any environmental laws or any other violations of environmental laws at, on, or with respect to the Property in any way
5.    Conditions to Company’s Obligation to Sell. The obligation of Company hereunder to issue and sell the Securities to Investor at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
5.1.    Investor shall have executed this Agreement, the Investor Notes, the Consent and the Subordination Agreement and delivered the same to Company.
5.2.    Investor shall have delivered the Initial Cash Purchase Price to Company.
6.    Conditions to Investor’s Obligation to Purchase. The obligation of Investor hereunder to purchase the Securities at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for Investor’s sole benefit and may be waived by Investor at any time in its sole discretion:
6.1.    Company shall have executed this Agreement, the Note and the Trust Deed and delivered the same to Investor.
6.2.    Company shall have delivered to Investor that certain Consent and Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E (the “Consent”) executed by all applicable parties.
6.3.    Company shall have delivered to Investor that certain Subordination Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the “Subordination Agreement”) executed by all applicable parties.
6.4.    Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Irrevocable Letter of Instructions to Transfer Agent (the “TA Letter”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G acknowledged and agreed to in writing by Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”).
6.5.    Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Officer’s Certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H evidencing Company’s approval of the Transaction Documents.
6.6.    Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Share Issuance Resolution substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I to be delivered to the Transfer Agent.
6.7.     Company shall have delivered to Investor fully executed copies of the Trust Deed and all other Transaction Documents required to be executed by Company herein or therein.
7.    Reservation of Shares. Company will reserve a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the greater of (a) 75,000,000 split-adjusted shares of Common stock; and (b) three (3) times the number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Outstanding Balance (as defined in the Note) as of the date of the request by the Conversion Price (as defined in the Note) (the “Share Reserve”). Company further agrees to add additional shares of Common Stock to the Share Reserve in increments of 5,000,000 shares as and when requested by Investor if as of the date of any such request the number of shares being held in the Share Reserve is less than three (3) times the number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the Outstanding Balance (as defined in the Note) as of the date of the request by the Conversion Price. Company shall further require the Transfer Agent to hold the shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to the Share Reserve exclusively for the benefit of Investor and to issue such shares to Investor promptly upon Investor’s delivery of a conversion notice under the Note. Finally, Company shall require the Transfer Agent to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Note to Investor out of its authorized and unissued shares, and not the Share Reserve, to the extent shares of Common Stock have been authorized, but not issued, and are not included in the Share Reserve. The Transfer Agent shall only issue shares out of the Share Reserve to the extent there are no other authorized shares available for issuance and then only with Investor’s written consent.
8.    Terms of Future Financings. So long as the Note is outstanding, upon any issuance by Company of any security with a conversion formula (including conversion discount and lookback period) that has actually gone into effect that is more favorable to the holder of such security than the conversion formula that was provided to Investor in the Transaction Documents, then Company shall notify Investor of the more favorable conversion formula and such conversion formula, at Investor’s option, shall become a part of the Transaction Documents for the benefit of Investor. Additionally, if Company fails to notify Investor of any such more favorable conversion formula, but Investor becomes aware that Company has granted such a conversion formula to any third party, Investor may notify Company of such more favorable conversion formula and such formula shall become a part of the Transaction Documents retroactive to the date on which such term was granted to the applicable third party. For the avoidance of doubt, Company may offer higher original issue discounts, interest rates, warrants and warrant terms, anti-dilution adjustments or other more favorable terms not related to the conversion formula to other investors and Investor shall have no right to such more favorable term or terms. In addition, this Section 8 shall not apply to any more favorable conversion formula contained in an issued security unless and until such more favorable conversion formula has actually gone into effect. If a more favorable conversion formula is contained in a security but does not take effect until some point in the future (for example upon the occurrence of an event of default or some other future event), Investor shall only have rights under this Section 8 after such conversion formula actually goes into effect.
9.    No Shorting. During the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date the Note has been repaid in full or sold by Investor to a third party that is not an affiliate of Investor, Investor will not directly or through an affiliate engage in any open market Short Sales (as defined below) of the Common Stock; provided; however, that unless and until Company has affirmatively demonstrated by the use of specific evidence that Investor is engaging in open market Short Sales, Investor shall be assumed to be in compliance with the provisions of this Section 9 and Company shall remain fully obligated to fulfill all of its obligations under the Transaction Documents; and provided, further, that (i) Company shall under no circumstances be entitled to request or demand that Investor either (A) provide trading or other records of Investor or of any party or (B) affirmatively demonstrate that Investor or any other party has not engaged in any such Short Sales in breach of these provisions as a condition to Company’s fulfillment of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents, (ii) Company shall not assert Investor’s or any other party’s failure to demonstrate such absence of such Short Sales or provide any trading or other records of Investor or any other party as all or part of a defense to any breach of Company’s obligations under any of the Transaction Documents, and (iii) Company shall have no setoff right with respect to any such Short Sales.  As used herein, “Short Sale” has the meaning provided in Rule 3b-3 under the 1934 Act.
10.    Miscellaneous. The provisions set forth in this Section 10 shall apply to this Agreement, as well as all other Transaction Documents as if these terms were fully set forth therein; provided, however, that in the event there is a conflict between any provision set forth in this Section 10 and any provision in any other Transaction Document, the provision in such other Transaction Document shall govern.
10.1.    Certain Capitalized Terms. To the extent any capitalized term used in any Transaction Document is defined in any other Transaction Document (as noted therein), such capitalized term shall remain applicable in the Transaction Document in which it is so used even if the other Transaction Document (wherein such term is defined) has been released, satisfied, or is otherwise cancelled or terminated.
10.2.    Arbitration of Claims. The parties shall submit all Claims (as defined in Exhibit J) arising under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any other agreement between the parties and their affiliates or any Claim relating to the relationship of the parties to binding arbitration pursuant to the arbitration provisions set forth in Exhibit J attached hereto (the “Arbitration Provisions”). The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Arbitration Provisions are unconditionally binding on the parties hereto and are severable from all other provisions of this Agreement. By executing this Agreement, Company represents, warrants and covenants that Company has reviewed the Arbitration Provisions carefully, consulted with legal counsel about such provisions (or waived its right to do so), understands that the Arbitration Provisions are intended to allow for the expeditious and efficient resolution of any dispute hereunder, agrees to the terms and limitations set forth in the Arbitration Provisions, and that Company will not take a position contrary to the foregoing representations. Company acknowledges and agrees that Investor may rely upon the foregoing representations and covenants of Company regarding the Arbitration Provisions.
10.3.    Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Utah, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Utah or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Utah. Each party consents to and expressly agrees that the exclusive venue for arbitration of any dispute arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document or the relationship of the parties or their affiliates shall be in Salt Lake County, Utah. Without modifying the parties’ obligations to resolve disputes hereunder pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions, for any litigation arising in connection with any of the Transaction Documents (and notwithstanding the terms (specifically including any governing law and venue terms) of any transfer agent services agreement or other agreement between the Transfer Agent and Company, such litigation specifically includes, without limitation any action between or involving Company and the Transfer Agent under the TA Letter or otherwise related to Investor in any way (specifically including, without limitation, any action where Company seeks to obtain an injunction, temporary restraining order, or otherwise prohibit the Transfer Agent from issuing shares of Common Stock to Investor for any reason)), each party hereto hereby (i) consents to and expressly submits to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, (ii) expressly submits to the exclusive venue of any such court for the purposes hereof, (iii) agrees to not bring any such action (specifically including, without limitation, any action where Company seeks to obtain an injunction, temporary restraining order, or otherwise prohibit the Transfer Agent from issuing shares of Common Stock to Investor for any reason) outside of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, and (iv) waives any claim of improper venue and any claim or objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or any other claim, defense or objection to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdiction or to any claim that such venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Finally, Company covenants and agrees to name Investor as a party in interest in, and provide written notice to Investor in accordance with Section 10.13 below prior to bringing or filing, any action (including without limitation any filing or action against any person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement, including without limitation the Transfer Agent) that is related in any way to the Transaction Documents or any transaction contemplated herein or therein, including without limitation any action brought by Company to enjoin or prevent the issuance of any shares of Common Stock to Investor by the Transfer Agent, and further agrees to timely name Investor as a party to any such action. Company acknowledges that the governing law and venue provisions set forth in this Section 10.3 are material terms to induce Investor to enter into the Transaction Documents and that but for Company’s agreements set forth in this Section 10.3 Investor would not have entered into the Transaction Documents.
10.4.    Specific Performance. Company acknowledges and agrees that irreparable damage may occur to Investor in the event that Company fails to perform any material provision of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents in accordance with its specific terms. It is accordingly agreed that Investor shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement or such other Transaction Document and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof or thereof, this being in addition to any other remedy to which the Investor may be entitled under the Transaction Documents, at law or in equity. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event Investor seeks to obtain an injunction against Company or specific performance of any provision of any Transaction Document, such action shall not be a waiver of any right of Investor under any Transaction Document, at law, or in equity, including without limitation its rights to arbitrate any Claim pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Documents.
10.5.    Calculation Disputes. Notwithstanding the Arbitration Provisions, in the case of a dispute as to any determination or arithmetic calculation under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation, calculating the Outstanding Balance, Conversion Price, Conversion Factor (as defined in the Note), or VWAP (as defined in the Note) (each, a “Calculation”), Company or Investor (as the case may be) shall submit any disputed Calculation via email or facsimile with confirmation of receipt (i) within two (2) Trading Days after receipt of the applicable notice giving rise to such dispute to Company or Investor (as the case may be) or (ii) if no notice gave rise to such dispute, at any time after Investor learned of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute. If Investor and Company are unable to agree upon such Calculation within two (2) Trading Days of such disputed Calculation being submitted to Company or Investor (as the case may be), then Investor will promptly submit via email or facsimile the disputed Calculation to Unkar Systems Inc. (“Unkar Systems”). Investor shall cause Unkar Systems to perform the Calculation and notify Company and Investor of the results no later than ten (10) Trading Days from the time it receives such disputed Calculation. Unkar Systems’ determination of the disputed Calculation shall be binding upon all parties absent demonstrable error. Unkar Systems’ fee for performing such Calculation shall be paid by the incorrect party, or if both parties are incorrect, by the party whose Calculation is furthest from the correct Calculation as determined by Unkar Systems. In the event Company is the losing party, no extension of the Delivery Date (as defined in the Note) shall be granted and Company shall incur all effects for failing to deliver the applicable shares in a timely manner as set forth in the Transaction Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Investor may, in its sole discretion, designate an independent, reputable investment bank or accounting firm other than Unkar Systems to resolve any such dispute and in such event, all references to “Unkar Systems” herein will be replaced with references to such independent, reputable investment bank or accounting firm so designated by Investor.
10.6.    Counterparts. Each Transaction Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. The parties hereto confirm that any electronic copy of another party’s executed counterpart of a Transaction Document (or such party’s signature page thereof) will be deemed to be an executed original thereof.
10.7.    Document Imaging. Investor shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to image or make copies of all or any selection of the agreements, instruments, documents, and items and records governing, arising from or relating to any of Company’s loans, including, without limitation, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and Investor may destroy or archive the paper originals. The parties hereto (i) waive any right to insist or require that Investor produce paper originals, (ii) agree that such images shall be accorded the same force and effect as the paper originals, (iii) agree that Investor is entitled to use such images in lieu of destroyed or archived originals for any purpose, including as admissible evidence in any demand, presentment or other proceedings, and (iv) further agree that any executed facsimile (faxed), scanned, emailed, or other imaged copy of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall be deemed to be of the same force and effect as the original manually executed document.
10.8.    Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.
10.9.    Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform to such statute or rule of law. Any provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
10.10.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Transaction Documents, contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither Company nor Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. For the avoidance of doubt, all prior term sheets or other documents between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, related to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (collectively, “Prior Agreements”), that may have been entered into between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, are hereby null and void and deemed to be replaced in their entirety by the Transaction Documents. To the extent there is a conflict between any term set forth in any Prior Agreement and the term(s) of the Transaction Documents, the Transaction Documents shall govern.
10.11.    No Reliance. Company acknowledges and agrees that neither Investor nor any of its officers, directors, members, managers, representatives or agents has made any representations or warranties to Company or any of its officers, directors, representatives, agents or employees except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents and, in making its decision to enter into the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, Company is not relying on any representation, warranty, covenant or promise of Investor or its officers, directors, members, managers, agents or representatives other than as set forth in the Transaction Documents.
10.12.    Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto.
10.13.    Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing (unless otherwise specified herein) and shall be deemed effectively given on the earliest of: (i) the date delivered, if delivered by personal delivery as against written receipt therefor or by email to an executive officer, or by facsimile (with successful transmission confirmation), (ii) the earlier of the date delivered or the third Trading Day after deposit, postage prepaid, in the United States Postal Service by certified mail, or (iii) the earlier of the date delivered or the third Trading Day after mailing by express courier, with delivery costs and fees prepaid, in each case, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as such party may designate by five (5) calendar days’ advance written notice similarly given to each of the other parties hereto):
If to Company:

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.
Attn: Victor Lee
12300 Grant Street
Thornton, Colorado 80241

If to Investor:

St. George Investments LLC
Attn: John Fife
303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1040
Chicago, Illinois 60601 

With a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice): 

Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC
Attn: Jonathan Hansen
3051 West Maple Loop Drive, Suite 325
Lehi, Utah 84043

10.14.    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement or any of the severable rights and obligations inuring to the benefit of or to be performed by Investor hereunder may be assigned by Investor to a third party, including its affiliates, in whole or in part, without the need to obtain Company’s consent thereto. Company may not assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement or delegate its duties hereunder without the prior written consent of Investor.
10.15.    Survival. The representations and warranties of Company and the agreements and covenants set forth in this Agreement shall survive the Closing hereunder notwithstanding any due diligence investigation conducted by or on behalf of Investor. Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Investor and all its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents for loss or damage arising as a result of or related to any breach or alleged breach by Company of any of its representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement or any of its covenants and obligations under this Agreement, including advancement of expenses as they are incurred.
10.16.    Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
10.17.    Investor’s Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Liquidated Damages. All rights, remedies, and powers conferred in this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights or remedies, and shall be in addition to every other right, power, and remedy that Investor may have, whether specifically granted in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or existing at law, in equity, or by statute, and any and all such rights and remedies may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as Investor may deem expedient. The parties acknowledge and agree that upon Company’s failure to comply with the provisions of the Transaction Documents, Investor’s damages would be uncertain and difficult (if not impossible) to accurately estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates and future share prices, Investor’s increased risk, and the uncertainty of the availability of a suitable substitute investment opportunity for Investor, among other reasons. Accordingly, any fees, charges, and default interest due under the Note and the other Transaction Documents are intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, liquidated damages (under Company’s and Investor’s expectations that any such liquidated damages will tack back to the Closing Date for purposes of determining the holding period under Rule 144 under the 1933 Act). The parties agree that such liquidated damages are a reasonable estimate of Investor’s actual damages and not a penalty, and shall not be deemed in any way to limit any other right or remedy Investor may have hereunder, at law or in equity. The parties acknowledge and agree that under the circumstances existing at the time this Agreement is entered into, such liquidated damages are fair and reasonable and are not penalties. All fees, charges, and default interest provided for in the Transaction Documents are agreed to by the parties to be based upon the obligations and the risks assumed by the parties as of the Closing Date and are consistent with investments of this type. The liquidated damages provisions of the Transaction Documents shall not limit or preclude a party from pursuing any other remedy available at law or in equity; provided, however, that the liquidated damages provided for in the Transaction Documents are intended to be in lieu of actual damages.
10.18.    Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, if at any time Investor would be issued shares of Common Stock under any of the Transaction Documents, but such issuance would cause Investor (together with its affiliates) to beneficially own a number of shares exceeding the Maximum Percentage (as defined in the Note), then Company must not issue to Investor the shares that would cause Investor to exceed the Maximum Percentage. The shares of Common Stock issuable to Investor that would cause the Maximum Percentage to be exceeded are referred to herein as the “Ownership Limitation Shares”. Company shall reserve the Ownership Limitation Shares for the exclusive benefit of Investor. From time to time, Investor may notify Company in writing of the number of the Ownership Limitation Shares that may be issued to Investor without causing Investor to exceed the Maximum Percentage. Upon receipt of such notice, Company shall be unconditionally obligated to immediately issue such designated shares to Investor, with a corresponding reduction in the number of the Ownership Limitation Shares. For purposes of this Section, beneficial ownership of Common Stock will be determined under Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act.
10.19.    Attorneys’ Fees and Cost of Collection. In the event of any arbitration or action at law or in equity to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, the parties agree that the party who is awarded the most money (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any party) shall be deemed the prevailing party for all purposes and shall therefore be entitled to an additional award of the full amount of the attorneys’ fees, deposition costs, and expenses paid by such prevailing party in connection with arbitration or litigation without reduction or apportionment based upon the individual claims or defenses giving rise to the fees and expenses. Nothing herein shall restrict or impair an arbitrator’s or a court’s power to award fees and expenses for frivolous or bad faith pleading. If (i) the Note is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or enforcement prior to commencing arbitration or legal proceedings, or is collected or enforced through any arbitration or legal proceeding, or Investor otherwise takes action to collect amounts due under the Note or to enforce the provisions of the Note, or (ii) there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of Company or other proceedings affecting Company’s creditors’ rights and involving a claim under the Note; then Company shall pay the costs incurred by Investor for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, expenses, deposition costs, and disbursements.
10.20.    Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any prohibited action shall constitute a waiver of any other provision or consent to any other prohibited action, whether or not similar. No waiver or consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver or consent in the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing.
10.21.    Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO DEMAND THAT ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PARTIES HERETO BE TRIED BY JURY. THIS WAIVER EXTENDS TO ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY ARISING UNDER COMMON LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE, LAW, RULE OR REGULATION. FURTHER, EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH PARTY IS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING SUCH PARTY’S RIGHT TO DEMAND TRIAL BY JURY.
10.22.    Time is of the Essence. Time is expressly made of the essence with respect to each and every provision of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
10.23.    No Changes; Signature Pages. Company, as well as the person signing each Transaction Document on behalf of Company, represents and warrants to Investor that it has not made any changes to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document except those that have been conspicuously disclosed to Investor in a “redline” or similar draft of the applicable Transaction Document, which clearly marks all changes Company has made to the applicable Transaction Document. Moreover, the versions of the Transaction Documents signed by Company are the same versions Investor delivered to Company as being the “final” versions of the Transaction Documents and Company represents and warrants that it has not made any changes to such “final” versions of the Transaction Documents and that the versions Company signed are the same versions Investor delivered to it. In the event Company has made any changes to any Transaction Document that are not conspicuously disclosed to Investor in a “redline” or similar draft of the applicable Transaction Document and that have not been explicitly accepted and agreed upon by Investor, Company acknowledges and agrees that any such changes shall not be considered part of the final document set. Finally, and in furtherance of the foregoing, Company agrees and authorizes Investor to compile the “final” versions of the Transaction Documents, which shall consist of Company’s executed signature pages for all Transaction Documents being applied to the last set of the Transaction Documents that Investor delivered to Company, and Company agrees that such versions of the Transaction Documents that have been collated by Investor shall be deemed to be the final versions of the Transaction Documents for all purposes.
10.24.    Voluntary Agreement. Company has carefully read this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and has asked any questions needed for Company to understand the terms, consequences and binding effect of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and fully understand them. Company has had the opportunity to seek the advice of an attorney of Company’s choosing, or has waived the right to do so, and is executing this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence by Investor or anyone else.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Investor and Company have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

SUBSCRIPTION AMOUNT:

Principal Amount of Note:        $1,220,000.00

INVESTOR:

ST. GEORGE INVESTMENTS LLC

By:    Fife Trading, Inc., its Manager

By:     
John M. Fife, President     

COMPANY:

ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

By:            
Printed Name: Victor Lee    
Title: President & CEO    

1

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