Document:

Exhibit 10.2

      

     

      

    

      
      INDUCEMENT STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

      

      

      THIS INDUCEMENT STOCK OPTION
          AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is between Femasys Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [●] (the “Grantee”) and is

          made as of [●], 2022.

      RECITALS

      

      

      WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Femasys Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Plan”);

       

      WHEREAS, the Plan permits the Company to award options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Shares”),

          subject to the terms of the Plan;

      WHEREAS, as an inducement material to the Grantee’s acceptance of employment with the Company in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and the related guidance under Nasdaq IM 5635-1, the
          Company desires to grant this Option to purchase Shares to the Grantee outside of the Plan pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

      

      

      WHEREAS, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Grantee intend for this Agreement and the Option to be subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, as if the Option had been
          granted under the Plan; and

      

      

      WHEREAS, all of the capitalized terms used in this Agreement not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the same respective meanings as defined in the Plan.

      

      

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the agreements set forth herein, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

      

      

      Section 1. Grant of Option. Effective as of the Grant Date (as specified on Schedule A hereto), the Company
        grants to the Grantee, pursuant to the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Agreement, an option to purchase that number of Shares and at the exercise price set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “Option”). The Option is not, and is not intended to be, an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code.

      

      

      Section 2. Term of Option. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to the Plan or the other provisions of this Agreement,
        the Option shall terminate at the time and on the date specified on Schedule A hereto (the “Expiration Date”).

      

      

      (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2 of the Plan or in an effective employment, consulting, severance or
        similar agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary, upon the Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason whatsoever, the Option shall terminate as to that number of Shares as to which the Option is not
        vested at the time of such termination of employment, without any compensation or other payment due to the Grantee or any other Person.

       

      

      
        1

        
          

      

      (b) If the Grantee’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is terminated for Cause, then the unexercised
        portion of the Option (whether or not vested) will terminate immediately upon such termination of employment, without any compensation or other payment due to the Grantee or any other Person.

      

      

      (c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2 of the Plan or in an effective employment, consulting, severance or
        similar agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary, if the Grantee’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason other than Cause, death or Disability, then the Option may be exercised to the extent vested at the time
        of such termination of employment at any time prior to the earlier of the Expiration Date and 90 days after such termination of employment, and any part of the Option which is not exercised within such period shall terminate at the end of such
        period without any compensation or other payment due to the Grantee or any other Person. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2 of the Plan or in an effective employment, consulting, severance or similar agreement with the Company or a
        Subsidiary, if the Grantee’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates by reason of his or her death or Disability, then the Option may be exercised, as to the number of whole Shares with respect to which the Option is vested and
        exercisable at the time of such death or Disability, at any time prior to the earlier of the Expiration Date and twelve (12) months after such termination of employment, and any part of the Option which is not exercised within such period shall
        terminate at the end of such period without any compensation or other payment due to the Grantee or any other Person.

      

      

      (d) The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to termination
        of employment, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a termination of employment resulted from Cause.

      

      

      Section 3. Vesting. The Option shall vest as provided on Schedule A hereto.

      

      

      Section 4. Manner of Exercise.

      

      

      (a) To exercise the Option, the Grantee shall comply with such procedures for exercise as the Committee shall have adopted, as
        may be in effect from time to time. Payment of the exercise price shall be in cash or such other form of consideration as the Committee may accept in its sole discretion. Any exercise of the Option is conditioned on the Grantee’s payment to the
        Company in full of the aggregate exercise price (in accordance with the procedures established by the Committee and permitted under the terms of the Plan) of the portion of the Option being exercised, plus the amount of the withholding taxes
        determined by the Company to be due upon the purchase of such number of Shares (unless the Committee shall have consented to the making of other arrangements with the Grantee with respect to the payment of such withholding taxes).

      

      

      (b) The date on which the Company receives the notice of exercise accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price for the
        Shares covered by the notice and the applicable withholding taxes shall be the date as of which the Shares shall be deemed to have been issued.

      

      

      (c) To exercise the Option following the Grantee’s death, the Persons who acquire the right to exercise the Option must prove
        to the Committee’s satisfaction that they have duly acquired the Option and that they have paid (or have provided for payment of) any taxes, such as estate, transfer, inheritance or death taxes, payable with respect to the Option or the Shares to
        which it relates, in addition to satisfying the other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

       

      
        2

        
          

      

      Section 5. Representations and Warranties of the Grantee. The Grantee represents and warrants to the Company that, as
        of the Grant Date, (i) the Grantee has full legal capacity, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and (ii) this Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligation of the Grantee,
        enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

      

      

      Section 6. Transferability. The Option may only be transferred in accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.

      

      

      Section 7. Withholding. The Grantee shall be responsible for making appropriate provision for all taxes required to be
        withheld in connection with the Option (including the exercise thereof). Such responsibility shall extend to all applicable federal, state, local and foreign withholding taxes. The Company or its Subsidiaries, in their sole discretion, shall have
        the right to retain from the Shares otherwise deliverable on exercise of the Option the number of Shares whose Fair Market Value equals the amount to be withheld in satisfaction of the applicable withholding taxes (or to withhold from any payroll
        or other amounts otherwise due to the Grantee the amount of withholding taxes due in connection with the Option (including the exercise thereof)).

      

      

      Section 8. The Plan. The Company and the Grantee acknowledge and agree that (a) the Option is granted outside of the
        Plan, (b) notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Plan as if it had been granted thereunder, and (c) accordingly, the terms and conditions of the Plan are incorporated herein by
        reference in their entirety. The Grantee has received a copy of the Plan, has read the Plan and is familiar with its terms, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and this Agreement. Pursuant to the
        Plan, the Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan and to adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with the Plan as it deems appropriate. The Grantee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions and
        interpretations of the Committee with respect to the Plan, this Agreement, the Option and any agreement relating to the Option. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall
        control.

      

      

      Section 9. Rights in Shares Before Issuance and Delivery. The Grantee shall not have any rights as a stockholder of the
        Company with respect to the Shares underlying the Option unless and until the Option has been exercised and such Shares have been issued to the Grantee as fully paid Shares. No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights
        for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 8 of the Plan.

      

      Section 10. No Promise of Employment. Neither the Plan nor the granting, holding, vesting or exercise of the Option
        will confer upon the Grantee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary, or limit, in any respect, the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the Grantee at any time, for any reason and with or without notice.

       

      
        3

        
          

      

      Section 11. Qualifications to Exercise. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or in the Plan to the contrary, in
        no event may the Option be exercisable if the Company shall, at any time and in its sole discretion, determine that (a) the listing, registration or qualification of any Shares otherwise deliverable upon such exercise is required upon any
        securities exchange or under any state, federal, or foreign law, or (b) the consent or approval of any regulatory body is necessary or desirable in connection with such exercise. In such event, such exercise shall be held in abeyance and shall not
        be effective unless and until such listing, registration, qualification or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company (regardless of any termination of the Option prior to such listing,
        registration, qualification or approval). 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 and sale of any Shares
        subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional Shares
        upon the exercise of the Option.

      

      

      Section 12. Conditions to Transfer. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Grantee
        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. The certificate
        issued to evidence such Shares, if any, may bear appropriate legends summarizing these restrictions.

       

      

      Section 13. Investment Representation. The Grantee hereby represents and warrants to the Company that the Grantee, by
        reason of the Grantee’s business or financial experience (or the business or financial experience of the Grantee’s professional advisors who are unaffiliated with and who are not compensated by the Company or any affiliate or selling agent of the
        Company, directly or indirectly), has the capacity to protect the Grantee’s own interests in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Agreement.

      

      

      Section 14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan, represents the entire agreement between the
        parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and merges and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature relating to the award of the Option to the Grantee by the Company.

      

      

      Section 15. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its
        successors and assigns and upon the Grantee and his or her permitted transferees, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.

      

      

      Section 16. Amendment; Termination; Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, this Agreement may be amended or
        terminated, and its terms or covenants waived, only by a written instrument executed on behalf of the Company (as authorized by the Committee) and the Grantee that, in the case of an amendment or waiver, identifies the specific provision of this
        Agreement being amended or waived (as applicable).

      

      

      
        4

        
          

      

      Section 17. Covenants Agreement. The Option shall be subject to forfeiture at the election of the Company in the event
        that the Grantee breaches any agreement between the Grantee and the Company or any of its Affiliates with respect to non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement, assignment of inventions or contributions and/or nondisclosure obligations of
        the Grantee

       

      Section 18. Delivery of Documents and Notices. Unless otherwise specified by the Grantee in writing, all documents
        relating to the Plan (including, without limitation, the Plan, this Agreement, the Plan prospectus and any reports of the Company provided generally to the Company’s stockholders) may be delivered to the Grantee electronically. Such means of
        electronic delivery may 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 other means of electronic delivery specified by the
        Company.

      

      

      The Grantee acknowledges that the Grantee has read this Section 18 and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan
        documents. The Grantee acknowledges that he or she may request from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost to the Grantee by contacting the Company by telephone or in writing. The Grantee further acknowledges
        that the Grantee will be provided with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. Similarly, the Grantee understands that the Grantee must provide the Company or any designated third party
        administrator with a paper copy of any documents if the Grantee’s attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. The Grantee may revoke his or her consent to the electronic delivery of documents described in this Section 18 or may
        change the electronic mail address to which such documents are to be delivered (if the Grantee has provided an electronic mail address) at any time by notifying the Company of such revoked consent or revised e-mail address by postal service or
        electronic mail. The Grantee understands that he or she is not required to consent to electronic delivery of documents described in this Section 18.

      

      

      Section 19. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
        Delaware, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

      

      

      Section 20. JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. BY ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY AND THE GRANTEE IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO AND ACCEPT GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN GEORGIA (OR IF FEDERAL JURISDICTION DOES NOT EXIST, IN
          THE STATE COURTS LOCATED IN GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA) WITH RESPECT TO ALL DISPUTES RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OPTION OR THE PLAN. THE COMPANY AND THE GRANTEE HEREBY ACCEPT SERVICE OF PROCESS PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND
          THE RULES OF ITS COURTS, WAIVE ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED BY SUCH COURTS ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT, THE OPTION OR THE PLAN. THE COMPANY AND THE
          GRANTEE IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT, THE OPTION OR THE PLAN.

          

        

      
        5

        
          

      

      Section 21. Severability. All provisions of this Agreement are distinct and severable and if any clause shall be held to be
        invalid, illegal or against public policy, the validity or the legality of the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and the remainder of this Agreement shall be interpreted to give maximum effect to the original intention of
        the parties hereto.

      

      

      Section 22. Defined Terms/Construction. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined in this
        Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan. Captions and titles contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

      

      

      Section 23. Clawback/Forfeiture. The Option and the Shares issued or issuable pursuant to the Option are subject to
        forfeiture or clawback by the Company to the extent required and allowed by law, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and any implementing rules and regulations
        promulgated thereunder, and pursuant to any forfeiture, clawback or similar policy of the Company, as such laws, rules, regulations and policy may be in effect from time to time.

      

      

      Section 24. Inducement Stock Option Award. The Company and the Grantee acknowledge and agree the grant of the Option is
        an inducement material to the Grantee’s acceptance of employment with the Company in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

      

      

      

      

      [signature page follows]

      

      

      
        6

        
          

      

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

       

        

      	 	
               FEMASYS INC.

            
	 	 	

            
	 	
              By:

            	 
	 	 	
              Name:

            
	 	 	
              Title:

            

      	 	 
	 	
              GRANTEE

            
	 	 
	 	
              Name:

            

       

      

      
        [Signature Page to Inducement Stock Option Agreement]

      

      
        
          

      

      
       EXHIBIT A

      

      

      	

            	1.	
              Grant Date:

            

       

      	

            	2.	
              Number of Shares Subject to the Option:

            

       

      	

            	3.	
              Per Share Exercise Price:

            

       

      	

            	4.	
              Expiration Date:

            

       

      	

            	5.	
              Vesting Schedule:

            

       

       A-1gty-ex42_12.htm

Exhibit 4.2

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

As of December 31, 2020, Getty Realty Corp. (“we”, “our”, “us” or the “Company”) has its common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“common stock”) registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The following description of our common stock, which is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our charter and bylaws, each of which is filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit is a part, and the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”). You should read our charter and bylaws and the applicable provisions of the MGCL for a complete statement of the provisions described under this caption “Description of Common Stock” and for other provisions that may be important to you.

Common Stock

Under our charter, we have the authority to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. At December 31, 2021, we had outstanding 46,715,734 shares of common stock. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GTY.”

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. For the election of our board of directors, holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights. Our common stockholders are entitled to receive ratably such dividends that we declare out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of our common stock have the right to a ratable portion of the assets remaining after payment of liabilities and liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of our preferred stock. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights or rights to convert their common stock into other securities. The rights of the holders of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of our preferred stock.

Under the MGCL and our charter, a distribution (whether by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares) to holders of shares of our common stock may be made only if, after giving effect to the distribution, our total assets are greater than our total liabilities plus the amount necessary to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights on dissolution are superior to the holders of common stock. We have complied with this requirement in all of our prior distributions to holders of common stock.

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide, however, in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter provides for approval of these matters by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Ownership and Transfer Restrictions 

For us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year. Our capital stock also must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. In addition, rent from related party tenants (generally, a tenant of a REIT owned, actually or constructively, 10% or more by the REIT, or a 10% owner of the REIT) is not qualifying income for purposes of the income tests under the Code. Our charter prohibits any holder from owning, or being deemed to own by virtue of the constructive ownership provisions of the Code, shares of our capital stock to the extent that such ownership or deemed ownership would result in the Company failing to qualify as a REIT.

In addition, subject to certain exceptions specified in our charter, (a) no holder may (i) own, or be deemed to own by virtue of certain constructive ownership provisions of the Code, in excess of 5.0% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our common stock or (ii) own, or be deemed to own by virtue of certain other constructive ownership provisions of the Code, in excess of 9.9% (by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of our common stock; (b) no holder may (i) own, or be deemed to own by virtue of certain constructive ownership provisions of the Code, in excess of 5.0% of the number (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of the outstanding shares of our preferred stock or (ii) own, or be deemed to own by virtue of certain other constructive ownership provisions of the Code, in excess of 9.9% (by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of outstanding shares of our preferred stock; and (c) no holder may (i) own, or be deemed to own by virtue of certain constructive ownership provisions of the Code, in excess of 5.0% (in value) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our capital stock or (ii) own, or be deemed to own by virtue of certain other constructive ownership provisions of the Code, in excess of 9.9% (in value) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our capital stock.

The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause shares of capital stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals or entities or both to be deemed constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 5.0% of our outstanding common stock, 5.0% of our outstanding preferred stock or 5.0% of our outstanding capital stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, our capital stock) by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity (or another individual or entity) to own our stock in excess of the above ownership limits.

Our board of directors may waive the ownership limit and the related party limit (as described below) with respect to a particular stockholder if evidence satisfactory to our board of directors and our tax counsel is presented that such ownership will not then or in the future jeopardize our status as a REIT. Because rent from related party tenants is not qualifying rent for purposes of the gross income tests under the Code, our charter provides that no individual or entity may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of certain constructive ownership provisions of the Code (which differ from the constructive ownership provisions applied to the above ownership limits), in excess of 9.9% in value of the outstanding common stock of a tenant of the Company. We refer to this ownership limit as the related party limit. As a condition of any waiver, our board of directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it or an undertaking, or both from the applicant with respect to preserving our REIT status. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT. If shares of capital stock in excess of the ownership limit or the related party limit, or shares which would otherwise cause the REIT to be beneficially owned by less than 100 persons or which would otherwise cause us to be “closely held” within the meaning of the Code or would otherwise result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, are issued or transferred to any person, that issuance or transfer shall be null and void to the intended transferee, and the intended transferee would acquire no rights to the stock. Shares transferred in excess of the ownership limit or the related party limit, or shares which would otherwise cause us to be “closely held” within the meaning of the Code or would otherwise result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, will automatically be transferred to a trustee of a trust for the benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries selected by us. While these shares are held in trust, the trustee will be entitled to receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions and will be entitled to exercise all voting rights with respect to those shares. Within 20 days of the transfer, the trustee shall sell the shares held in the trust to one of more persons, designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limit. The net proceeds shall be divided as follows: the intended transferee will receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the intended transferee or, if the intended transferee did not give value for such shares (through a gift, devise or otherwise), a price per share equal to the market value of the shares on the date of the purported transfer to the intended transferee and (ii) the price per share received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the trust. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the intended transferee shall be immediately paid to the charitable beneficiary.

In addition, until the trustee has sold the shares of stock held in trust, such shares are purchasable by us at a price equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the market price for the stock on the date we determine to purchase the stock.

All certificates representing shares of our capital stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

Our board of directors granted exemptions from the ownership limit to certain existing stockholders (Leo Liebowitz, Howard Safenowitz and Milton Cooper and their affiliated trusts and partnerships) who own shares of our common stock in excess of the ownership limits.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare, Inc., 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600 Louisville, KY 40202.

Possible Anti-Takeover Effects of Maryland Law and our Charter and Bylaws

Our charter and bylaws contain certain provisions that may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us without the approval of our board of directors. In addition, certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law may hinder or delay an attempted takeover of our company other than through negotiation with our board of directors. These provisions could discourage attempts to acquire us or remove our management even if some or a majority of our stockholders believe this action to be in their best interest, including attempts that might result in our stockholders’ receiving a premium over the market price of their shares of our capital stock.

Number of Directors; Vacancies. The number of directors on our board of directors may only be altered by the action of a majority of our entire board of directors. A vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the entire board of directors. A vacancy on our board of directors for any cause other than an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, although such majority may be less than a quorum. Any individual so elected as director holds office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is elected and qualifies.

Power to Issue Preferred Stock. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the holders of our common stock, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the relative designations, powers, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. Our board of directors, 

without stockholder approval, can issue preferred stock with voting, conversion or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of common stock.

Power to Reclassify Shares of Our Stock. Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into one or more classes or series of stock, and to divide and classify shares of any class into one or more series of such class. Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series, our board of directors is required by the Maryland General Corporation Law and by our charter to set the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series.

Special Stockholders’ Meetings. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by our president, chairman of the board, chief executive officer or board of directors, or by our stockholders only upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.

Advance Notice Provisions. Our bylaws establish an advance written notice procedure for stockholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors at any annual meeting of stockholders and to bring business before an annual meeting of our stockholders. Our bylaws provide that only persons who are nominated by or at the direction of our board of directors or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to our secretary before the meeting to elect directors will be eligible for election as our directors. Our bylaws also provide that any matter to be presented at any meeting of stockholders must be presented either by our board of directors or by a stockholder in compliance with the procedures in our bylaws. A stockholder must give timely written notice to our secretary of its intention to present a matter before an annual meeting of stockholders.

Restrictions of Transfer. The ownership and transfer restriction provisions in our charter described above could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a takeover or other transaction in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then prevailing market price or which stockholders might believe to be otherwise in their best interest.

Maryland Business Combination Act. In addition to these provisions of our charter and bylaws, we are subject to the provisions of Maryland Business Combination Act (the “Business Combination Act”), which prohibits transactions between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Generally, pursuant to the Business Combination Act, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of a Maryland corporation’s voting stock. These provisions could have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of our company or reducing the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our capital stock.

Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act may deny voting rights to shares involved in an acquisition of one-tenth or more of the voting stock of a Maryland corporation. In our charter and bylaws, we have elected not to have the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of our Company.

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