Document:

talo-ex102_230.htm

Exhibit 10.2

TALOS ENERGY INC.

2021 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.Purpose.  The purpose of the Talos Energy Inc. 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) is to provide a means through which (a) Talos Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with any successor thereto, the “Company”), and the Affiliates may attract, retain and motivate qualified persons as employees, directors and consultants, thereby enhancing the profitable growth of the Company and the Affiliates and (b) persons upon whom the responsibilities of the successful administration and management of the Company and the Affiliates rest, and whose present and potential contributions to the Company and the Affiliates are of importance, can acquire and maintain stock ownership or awards the value of which is tied to the performance of the Company, thereby strengthening their concern for the Company and the Affiliates. Accordingly, the Plan provides for the grant of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Awards, Dividend Equivalents, Other Stock-Based Awards, Cash Awards, Substitute Awards, or any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

2.Definitions.  For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

(a) “Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power (i) to vote more than 50% of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the controlled Person or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the controlled Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise. 

(b)“ASC Topic 718” means the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, as amended or any successor accounting standard. 

(c)“Award” means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, Cash Award, or Substitute Award, together with any other right or interest, granted under the Plan.

(d)“Award Agreement” means any written instrument (including any employment, severance or change in control agreement) that sets forth the terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations applicable to an Award, in addition to those set forth under the Plan.

(e)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(f)“Cash Award” means an Award denominated in cash granted under Section 6(i). 

 

 

(g)“Cause” means “cause” (or a term of like import) as defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement governing the Award at issue or, if such term is not defined in the applicable Award Agreement, then “Cause” means “cause” (or a term of like import) under the Company’s severance plan covering the Participant or the Participant’s employment or severance agreement with the Company or an Affiliate or, in the absence of such a plan or agreement that defines “cause” (or a term of like import), then Cause shall mean (i) the Participant’s material breach of any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) the Participant’s material breach of any law applicable to the workplace or employment relationship, or the Participant’s material breach of any material policy or code of conduct established by the Company, an Affiliate, or a successor to the Company applicable to the Participant, including policies on discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment; (iii) gross negligence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, theft or embezzlement on the part of the Participant; (iv) the commission by the Participant of, or conviction or indictment of the Participant for, or plea of nolo contendere by the Participant to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude; or (v) the Participant’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to disability to perform the Participant’s obligations or to follow any lawful directive from the Company, as determined by the Company; provided, however, that if the Participant’s action or omissions as set forth in clause (v) are of such a nature that the Company or a successor of the Company determines that they are curable by the Participant, such actions or omissions must remain uncured for 30 days after the Company or a successor of the Company provides the Participant written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

(h)“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events after the Effective Date:

(i)The acquisition (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction) by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of fifty percent (50%) or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of Stock or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors; provided, however, that, for purposes of this Plan, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (1) any acquisition by the Company or any Affiliate, (2) any acquisition directly from the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, or (4) any Business Combination (as defined below) that does not constitute a Change in Control under subsection (iii) below;

(ii)During any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than the Board; 

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(iii)The consummation of a reorganization (excluding a reorganization under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code), recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or other business combination (any of the foregoing, a “Business Combination”) of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other entity, in any case, with respect to which the Company voting securities outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination do not, immediately following such Business Combination, continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or being converted into voting securities of the Company or any ultimate parent thereof) more than 50% of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company (or its successor) or any ultimate parent thereof after the Business Combination;

(iv)The consummation of a sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) in one or a series of related transactions to any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) that is not the Company or any Affiliate; or

(v)Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any portion of an Award that provides for a deferral of compensation under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, the transaction or event described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.

(h)“Change in Control Price” means the amount determined in the following clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), whichever the Committee determines is applicable, as follows:  (i) the price per share offered to holders of Stock in any merger or consolidation, (i) the per share Fair Market Value of the Stock immediately before the Change in Control without regard to assets sold in the Change in Control and assuming the Company has received the consideration paid for the assets in the case of a sale of the assets, (i) the amount distributed per share of Stock in a dissolution transaction, (i) the price per share offered to holders of Stock in any tender offer or exchange offer whereby a Change in Control takes place, or (i) if such Change in Control occurs other than pursuant to a transaction described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this Section 2(v)(h), the value per share of the Stock that may otherwise be obtained with respect to such Awards or to which such Awards track, as determined by the Committee as of the date determined by the Committee to be the date of cancellation and surrender of such Awards.  In the event that the consideration offered to stockholders of the Company in any transaction described in this Section 2(v)(h) or in Section 8(e) consists of anything other than cash, the Committee shall determine the fair market value of the portion of the consideration offered which is other than cash and such determination by the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all affected Participants to the extent applicable to Awards held by such Participants.

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(i)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance and regulations thereto.

(j)“Committee” means a committee of the Board of two or more directors designated by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Qualified Members.

(k)“Dividend Equivalent” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(g), to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments.

(l)“Effective Date” means March 8, 2021.

(m)“Eligible Person” means any individual who, as of the date of grant of an Award, is an officer or employee of the Company or of any of the Affiliates, and any other person who provides services to the Company or any of the Affiliates, including directors of the Company; provided, however, that, any such individual must be an “employee” of the Company or any of its parents or subsidiaries within the meaning of General Instruction A.1(a) to Form S-8 if such individual is granted an Award that may result in such individual receiving Stock.  An employee on leave of absence may be an Eligible Person.

(n)“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including the guidance, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance, rules and regulations thereto.

(o)“Fair Market Value” of a share of Stock means, as of any specified date, (i) if the Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Stock, as reported on the stock exchange composite tape on that date (or if no sales occur on such date, on the last preceding date on which such sales of the Stock are so reported); (ii) if the Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded over the counter on such date, the average between the reported high and low bid and asked prices of Stock on the most recent date on which Stock was publicly traded  on or preceding the specified date; or (iii) in the event Stock is not publicly traded at the time a determination of its value is required to be made under the Plan, the amount determined by the Committee in its discretion in such manner as it deems appropriate, taking into account all factors the Committee deems appropriate, including the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.  Notwithstanding this definition of Fair Market Value, with respect to one or more Award types, or for any other purpose for which the Committee must determine the Fair Market Value under the Plan, the Committee may elect to choose a different measurement date or methodology for determining Fair Market Value so long as the determination is consistent with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and all other applicable laws and regulations.  

(p) “ISO” means an Option intended to be and designated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(q)“Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules” means the limitations or requirements of Section 409A of the Code, as amended from time to time, including the 

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guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance and regulations thereto.

(r)“Nonstatutory Option” means an Option that is not an ISO.

(s)“Option” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(b), to purchase Stock at a specified price during specified time periods, which may either be an ISO or a Nonstatutory Option.

(t)“Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(h).

(u)“Participant” means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan that remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.

(v)“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership, limited liability company, join stock company, joint venture, association, company, estate, trust, bank trust company, land trust, business trust or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, custodian, trustee, executor, administrator, and nominee or entity in a representative capacity.

(w)“Prior Plan” means the Talos Energy Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan.

(x)“Qualified Member” means a member of the Board who is (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3), and (ii) “independent” under the listing standards or rules of the securities exchange upon which the Stock is traded, but only to the extent such independence is required in order to take the action at issue pursuant to such standards or rules.

(y)“Restricted Stock” means Stock granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(d) that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

(z)“Restricted Stock Unit” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(e), to receive Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified period or upon the occurrence of an event (which may or may not be coterminous with the vesting schedule of the Award).

(aa)“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, promulgated by the SEC under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(bb)“SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(c).

(cc)“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(dd)“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, including the guidance, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance, rules and regulations thereto.

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(ee)“Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and such other securities as may be substituted (or re-substituted) for Stock pursuant to Section 8.

(ff)“Stock Award” means unrestricted shares of Stock granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(f).

(gg)“Substitute Award” means an Award granted under Section 6(j). 

3.Administration.  

(a)Authority of the Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee except to the extent the Board elects to administer the Plan, in which case references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to include references to the “Board.”  Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, Rule 16b-3 and other applicable laws, the Committee shall have the authority, in its sole and absolute discretion, to: 

(i)designate Eligible Persons as Participants; 

(ii)determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to an Eligible Person; 

(iii)determine the number of shares of Stock or amount of cash to be covered by Awards; 

(iv)determine the terms and conditions of any Award, including whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be vested, settled, exercised, cancelled or forfeited (including conditions based on continued employment or service requirements or the achievement of one or more performance goals); 

(v)modify, waive or adjust any term or condition of an Award that has been granted, which may include the acceleration of vesting, waiver of forfeiture restrictions, modification of the form of settlement of the Award (for example, from cash to Stock or vice versa), early termination of a performance period, or modification of any other condition or limitation regarding an Award; 

(vi)determine the treatment of an Award upon a termination of employment or other service relationship;

(vii)impose a holding period with respect to an Award or the shares of Stock received in connection with an Award;

(viii)interpret and administer the Plan and any Award Agreement; 

(ix)correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in any Award, or in any Award Agreement; and 

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(x)make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. 

The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.  Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Persons, including the Company, the Affiliates, stockholders, Participants, beneficiaries, and permitted transferees under Section 7(a) or other Persons claiming rights from or through a Participant.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, exercise any and all rights, duties and responsibilities of the Committee under the Plan, including establishing procedures to be followed by the Committee, but excluding matters that under any applicable law, regulation or rule are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. 

 

(b)Exercise of Committee Authority.  At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to an Eligible Person who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company where such action is not taken by the full Board may be taken either (i) by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members, or (ii) by the Committee but with each such member who is not a Qualified Member abstaining or recusing himself or herself from such action; provided, however, that upon such abstention or recusal, the Committee remains composed solely of two or more Qualified Members.  Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee upon the abstention or recusal of such non-Qualified Member(s), shall be the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan.  For the avoidance of doubt, the full Board may take any action relating to an Award granted or to be granted to an Eligible Person who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company.

(c)Delegation of Authority.  The Committee may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan to a subcommittee of directors or to any officer of the Company, including the power to perform administrative functions and grant Awards; provided, however, that such delegation does not (i) violate applicable law, or (ii) result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company.  Upon any such delegation, all references in the Plan to the “Committee,” other than in Section 8, shall be deemed to include any subcommittee or officer of the Company to whom such powers have been properly delegated by the Committee.  Any such delegation shall not limit the right of such subcommittee members or such an officer to receive Awards; provided, however, that such subcommittee members and any such officer may not grant Awards to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate. Any such delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. The Committee may also appoint agents who are not executive officers of the Company or members of the Board to assist in administering the Plan, provided, however, that such individuals may not be delegated the authority to grant or modify any Awards that will, or may, be settled in Stock.

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(d)Limitation of Liability.  The Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or employee of the Company or any of the Affiliates, the Company’s legal counsel, independent auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan.  Members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the Company or any of the Affiliates acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be indemnified and held harmless by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.

(e)Participants in Non-U.S. Jurisdictions. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, to comply with applicable laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company or any of the Affiliates operates or has employees, directors or other service providers from time to time, or to ensure that the Company complies with any applicable requirements of foreign securities exchanges, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which of the Affiliates will be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which Eligible Persons outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Persons outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any foreign exchange; (iv) establish sub-plans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (any such sub-plans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices), provided, however, that no such sub-plans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 4(a); and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is granted, that it deems advisable to comply with any applicable governmental regulatory exemptions or approval or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange.  For purposes of the Plan, all references to foreign laws, rules, regulations or taxes shall be references to the laws, rules, regulations and taxes of any applicable jurisdiction other than the United States or a political subdivision thereof.  

4.Stock Subject to Plan.  

(a)Number of Shares Available for Delivery.  Subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders and, subject further to adjustment in a manner consistent with Section 8, (i) 8,639,415 shares of Stock are reserved and available for delivery with respect to Awards, and such total number of shares of Stock shall be available for issuance upon the exercise of ISOs, plus (ii) the number of shares of Stock that become available for Awards under this Plan pursuant to Section 4(d) below.  For the avoidance of doubt, if this Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders then no shares of Stock will be reserved for issuance under the Plan and the Plan will be used solely to grant awards that are settled in cash.

(b)Application of Limitation to Grants of Awards.  Subject to Section 4(d), no Award may be granted if the number of shares of Stock that must be delivered in connection with such Award exceeds the number of shares of Stock remaining available under the Plan minus the number of shares of Stock issuable in settlement of or relating to then-outstanding Awards.  The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or Substitute Awards) 

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and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award. 

(c)Availability of Shares Not Delivered under Awards. Shares of Stock subject to an Award under the Plan that expires or is cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, settled in cash or otherwise terminated without the actual delivery of shares will again be available for Awards. For the avoidance of doubt, Awards of Restricted Stock shall not be considered “delivered shares” for this purpose until vesting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the number of shares tendered or withheld in payment of any exercise or purchase price of an Option or an SAR or taxes relating to an Option or an SAR, including shares that were subject to an Option or an SAR but were not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement or net exercise of such Option or SAR and (ii) shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option’s exercise price, will be considered “delivered shares” and will not, in each case, be again available for Awards. The number of shares of Stock withheld in payment of the tax withholding obligation related an Award other than an Option or an SAR will be again available for Awards under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, if an Award is settled in cash it shall not be counted against any share limit under this Section 4.

(d)Shares Available Under the Prior Plan.  In addition, if the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan, then shares of Stock subject to an award granted under the Prior Plan and outstanding as of the Effective Date (a “Prior Award”) that expire or are cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, settled in cash or otherwise terminated (including shares forfeited with respect to Restricted Stock) shall become available for future grants of Awards under the Plan to the extent of such expiration, cancelation, forfeiture, exchange, settlement in cash or other termination.  For the avoidance of doubt, a number of shares of Stock equal to the difference between (i) the maximum number of shares of Stock that could have been settled pursuant to performance-based Prior Awards, and (ii) the actual number of shares of Stock delivered upon settlement of performance-based Prior Awards, shall become available for future grants of Awards under the Plan.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following shares of Stock subject to Prior Awards shall not be added to the shares of Stock authorized for grant under Section 4(a) and shall not be available for future grants of Awards: (i) the number of shares tendered or withheld in payment of any exercise or purchase price of a Prior Award or taxes relating to a Prior Award, (ii) shares that were subject to a stock option or stock appreciation right that was a Prior Award but were not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement or net exercise of such stock option or stock appreciation right, and (iii) shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of a stock option’s exercise price where such stock option was a Prior Award.  For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan then no awards will be granted under the Prior Plan on or following the Effective Date.  If the Company’s stockholders do not approve the Plan then the Company may grant awards under the Prior Plan following the Effective Date in compliance with the terms and provisions of the Prior Plan and no Shares subject to Prior Awards will become available for grant under the Plan, as described in this Section 4(d).

(e)Shares Available Following Certain Transactions.  Substitute Awards granted in accordance with applicable stock exchange requirements and in substitution or exchange for awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or any subsidiary or with which the Company or any subsidiary combines shall not reduce the shares 

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authorized for issuance under the Plan or the limitations on grants to non-employee members of the Board under Section 5(b), nor shall shares subject to such Substitute Awards be added to the shares available for issuance under the Plan (whether or not such Substitute Awards are later cancelled, forfeited or otherwise terminated).  Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any subsidiary or with which the Company or any subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may, if and to the extent determined by the Board and subject to compliance with applicable stock exchange requirements, be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the Plan (and shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the shares available for issuance under the Plan as provided above); provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not, prior to such acquisition or combination, employed by (and who were not non-employee directors or consultants of) the Company or any of its subsidiaries immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.  

(f)Stock Offered.  The shares of Stock to be delivered under the Plan shall be made available from (i) authorized but unissued shares of Stock, (ii) Stock held in the treasury of the Company, or (iii) previously issued shares of Stock reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased on the open market.

5.Eligibility; Award Limitations for Non-Employee Members of the Board.  

(a)Awards may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Persons. 

(b)In each calendar year during any part of which the Plan is in effect, a non-employee member of the Board may not be paid compensation, whether denominated in cash or Awards, for such individual’s service on the Board in excess of $750,000; provided, however, that for any calendar year in which a member of the Board (i) first commences service on the Board, (ii) serves on a special committee of the Board, (iii) serves as lead director, or (iv) serves as non-executive Chairman of the Board, additional compensation, whether denominated in cash or Awards may be paid. For purposes of this Section 5(b), the value of Awards shall be determined, if applicable, pursuant to ASC Topic 718 on the date of grant and attributed to the compensation limit for the year in which the Award is granted. For the avoidance of doubt, the limits set forth in this Section 5(b) shall be without regard to grants of Awards or other payments, if any, made to a non-employee member of the Board during any period in which such individual was an employee of the Company or of any of the Affiliates or was otherwise providing services to the Company or to any of the Affiliates other than in the capacity as a director of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, any cash compensation that is deferred shall be counted toward this limit for the year in which it was first earned, and not when paid or settled, if later.

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6.Specific Terms of Awards.

(a)General.  

(i)Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6.  Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with any other Award.  In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10), such additional terms, conditions and restrictions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.  Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, the Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance goals applicable to an Award, and any such performance goals may differ among Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants. To the extent provided in an Award Agreement, the Committee may exercise its discretion to reduce or increase the amounts payable under any Award.

(ii)Without limiting the scope of Section 6(a)(i), with respect to any performance-based conditions, (i) the Committee may use one or more business criteria or other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance goals applicable to an Award, (ii) any such performance goals may relate to the performance of the Participant, the Company (on a consolidated basis), or to specified subsidiaries, business or geographical units or operating areas of the Company, (iii) the performance period or periods over which performance goals will be measured shall be established by the Committee, and (iv) any such performance goals and performance periods may differ among Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants.

(iii)Subject to Section 8(e) of the Plan, any Award (or portion thereof) granted under the Plan shall vest no earlier than the first anniversary of the date the Award is granted; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards that result in the issuance of an aggregate of up to 5% of the shares of Stock available pursuant to Section 4 may be granted to any one or more Eligible Persons without respect to and/or administered without regard for this minimum vesting provision. For the avoidance of doubt, the grant of Stock Awards will count against the 5% limit described in the immediately preceding sentence. No Award Agreement shall be permitted to reduce or eliminate the requirements of this Section 6(a)(iii). Nothing in this Section 6(a)(iii) shall preclude the Committee from taking action, in its sole discretion, to accelerate the vesting of any Award for any reason.

(b)Options.  The Committee is authorized to grant Options, which may be designated as either ISOs or Nonstatutory Options, to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions and such additional terms, conditions and restrictions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion:

(i)Exercise Price.  Each Award Agreement evidencing an Option shall state the exercise price per share of Stock (the “Exercise Price”) established by the Committee; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 6(j) or in Section 8, the Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less than the greater of (A) the par value per share of the 

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Stock or (B) 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock as of the date of grant of the Option (or in the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or any of its subsidiaries, 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock on the date of grant).

(ii)Time and Method of Exercise; Other Terms.  The Committee shall determine the methods by which the Exercise Price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, including cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including previously owned shares or through a cashless exercise, i.e., “net settlement”, a broker-assisted exercise, or other reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the Option), other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Company or any Affiliate, other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate (including notes or other contractual obligations of Participants to make payment on a deferred basis), the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, including the delivery of Restricted Stock subject to Section 6(d), and any other terms and conditions of any Option.  In the case of an exercise whereby the Exercise Price is paid with Stock, such Stock shall be valued based on the Stock’s Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise.  No Option may be exercisable for a period of more than ten years following the date of grant of the Option (or in the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or any of its subsidiaries, for a period of more than five years following the date of grant of the ISO); provided, that if the period to exercise the Option (other than in the case of an ISO) would expire at a time when trading in the shares of Stock is prohibited by the Company’s insider trading policy (or any Company-imposed “blackout period”) or any applicable law, then the period to exercise the Option shall be automatically extended until the 30th day following the expiration of such prohibition.

(iii)ISOs.  The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code.  ISOs may only be granted to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company or employees of a parent or any subsidiary corporation of the Company (within the meaning of Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code).  Except as otherwise provided in Section 8, no term of the Plan relating to ISOs (including any SAR in tandem therewith) shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the Plan or any ISO under Section 422 of the Code, unless the Participant has first requested the change that will result in such disqualification.  ISOs shall not be granted more than ten years after the earlier of the adoption of the Plan or the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of Stock subject to an ISO and the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of stock of any parent or subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) subject to any other incentive stock options of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) that are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, or such other amount as may be prescribed under Section 422 of the Code, such excess shall be treated as Nonstatutory Options in accordance with the Code.  As used in the previous sentence, Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the date the ISO is granted.  If a Participant shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to an ISO under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to disqualifying 

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dispositions), the Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within the time provided to do so in the applicable Award Agreement.

(c)SARs.  The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions and such additional terms, conditions and restrictions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion: 

(i)Right to Payment.  An SAR is a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee.

(ii)Grant Price. Each Award Agreement evidencing an SAR shall state the grant price per share of Stock established by the Committee; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 6(j) or in Section 8, the grant price per share of Stock subject to an SAR shall not be less than the greater of (A) the par value per share of the Stock or (B) 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock as of the date of grant of the SAR.    

(iii)Method of Exercise and Settlement; Other Terms. The Committee shall determine the form of consideration payable upon settlement, the method by or forms in which Stock (if any) will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR.  SARs may be either free-standing or granted in tandem with other Awards.  No SAR may be exercisable for a period of more than ten years following the date of grant of the SAR; provided, that if the period to exercise the SAR would expire at a time when trading in the shares of Stock is prohibited by the Company’s insider trading policy (or any Company-imposed “blackout period”) or any applicable law, then the period to exercise the SAR shall be automatically extended until the 30th day following the expiration of such prohibition

(iv)Rights Related to Options.  An SAR granted in connection with an Option shall entitle a Participant, upon exercise, to surrender that Option or any portion thereof, to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying (A) the difference obtained by subtracting the Exercise Price with respect to a share of Stock specified in the related Option from the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR, by (B) the number of shares as to which that SAR has been exercised.  The Option shall then cease to be exercisable to the extent surrendered.  SARs granted in connection with an Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement governing the Option, which shall provide that the SAR is exercisable only at such time or times and only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and shall not be transferable except to the extent that the related Option is transferrable.

(d)Restricted Stock.  The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions and such additional terms, conditions and restrictions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion:

(i)Restrictions.  Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose.  

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Except as provided in Section 7(a)(iii) and Section 7(a)(iv), during the restricted period applicable to the Restricted Stock, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hedged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant.

(ii)Dividends and Splits.  As a condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may allow a Participant to elect, or may require, that any cash dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock, applied to the purchase of additional Awards or deferred without interest to the date of vesting of the associated Award of Restricted Stock.  Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or a Stock dividend, and other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend, in each case, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.

(e)Restricted Stock Units.  The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions and such additional terms, conditions and restrictions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion:

(i)Award and Restrictions.  Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture) as the Committee may impose.  

(ii)Settlement.  Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units shall occur upon vesting or upon expiration of the deferral period specified for such Restricted Stock Units by the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the Participant).  Restricted Stock Units shall be settled by delivery of (A) a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units for which settlement is due, or (B) cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares of Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units for which settlement is due, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at the date of grant or thereafter.

(f)Stock Awards.  The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Awards to Eligible Persons as a bonus, as additional compensation, or in lieu of cash compensation any such Eligible Person is otherwise entitled to receive, in such amounts and subject to such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee in its discretion determines to be appropriate.

(g)Dividend Equivalents.  The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to Eligible Persons, entitling any such Eligible Person to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends or other distributions paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock on such terms, conditions and restrictions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.  Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award (other than an Award of Restricted Stock or a Stock Award).  The Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents that are granted on a free-standing basis shall be paid or distributed when accrued or at a later specified date and, if distributed at a later date, may be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles or accrued in a bookkeeping account without interest, and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture, 

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as the Committee may specify.  Dividend Equivalents granted in connection with another Award shall be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the Award with respect to which the dividends accrue and shall not be paid unless and until such Award has vested and been earned. 

(h)Other Stock-Based Awards.  The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Eligible Persons such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of, or the performance of, specified Affiliates.  The Committee shall determine the terms, conditions and restrictions of such Other Stock-Based Awards, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.  Stock delivered pursuant to an Other-Stock Based Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall determine.  

(i)Cash Awards.  The Committee is authorized to grant Cash Awards, on a free-standing basis or as an element of, a supplement to, or in lieu of any other Award under the Plan to Eligible Persons in such amounts and subject to such other terms, conditions and restrictions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee in its discretion determines to be appropriate, including for purposes of any annual or short-term incentive or other bonus program.

(j)Substitute Awards.  Awards may be granted in substitution or exchange for any other Award granted under the Plan or under another plan of the Company or an Affiliate or any other right of an Eligible Person to receive payment from the Company or an Affiliate.  Awards may also be granted under the Plan in substitution for awards held by individuals who become Eligible Persons as a result of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of another entity or the assets of another entity by or with the Company or an Affiliate.  Such Substitute Awards referred to in the immediately preceding sentence that are Options or SARs may have an exercise price that is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of the substitution if such substitution complies with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and other applicable laws and exchange rules.  

(k)No Repricing. Except as provided in Section 6(j) or in Section 8, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to (i) reduce the Exercise Price or grant price of an outstanding Option or SAR, (ii) grant a new Option, SAR or other Award in substitution for, or upon the cancellation of, any previously granted Option or SAR that has the effect of reducing the Exercise Price or grant price thereof, (iii) exchange any Option or SAR for Stock, cash or other consideration when the Exercise Price or grant price per share of Stock under such Option or SAR equals or exceeds the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock or (iv) take any other action that would be considered a 

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“repricing” of an Option or SAR under the applicable listing standards of the national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed (if any).

7.Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards.  

(a)Limit on Transfer of Awards.

(i)Except as provided in Sections 7(a)(iii) and (iv), each Option and SAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the Person to whom the Participant’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7(a), an ISO shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. 

(ii)Except as provided in Sections 7(a)(i), (iii) and (iv), no Award, other than a Stock Award, and no right under any such Award, may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

(iii)To the extent specifically provided by the Committee and permitted pursuant to Form S-8 and the instructions thereto, an Award may be transferred by a Participant on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish; provided, however, that no Award (other than a Stock Award, which is a fully vested share of Stock at the time of grant) may be transferred to a third-party financial institution for value. 

(iv)An Award may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order entered or approved by a court of competent jurisdiction upon delivery to the Company of a written request for such transfer and a certified copy of such order.

(b)Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or any of the Affiliates upon the exercise or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine in its discretion, including cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis (which may be required by the Committee or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee); provided, however, that any such deferred or installment payments will be set forth in the Award Agreement.  Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock.

(c)Evidencing Stock. The Stock or other securities of the Company delivered pursuant to an Award may be evidenced in any manner deemed appropriate by the Committee in its sole discretion, including in the form of a certificate issued in the name of the Participant or by book entry, electronic or otherwise, and shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such Stock or other securities are then listed, and any applicable laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be 

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inscribed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.  Further, if certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Company may retain physical possession of the certificates and may require that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, related to the Restricted Stock.

(d)Consideration for Grants. Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee shall determine, but shall not be granted for less than the minimum lawful consideration. 

(e)Additional Agreements.  Each Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted under the Plan may be required to agree in writing, as a condition to the grant of such Award or otherwise, to subject an Award that is exercised or settled following such Eligible Person’s termination of employment or service to a general release of claims and/or a noncompetition or other restrictive covenant agreement in favor of the Company and the Affiliates, with the terms and conditions of such agreement(s) to be determined in good faith by the Committee. 

(f)Dividends and Dividend Equivalents Subject to Forfeiture. Any dividend or Dividend Equivalent credited with respect to any Award (except for dividends paid following the grant of a Stock Award, which is an Award of unrestricted (i.e., fully vested) shares of Stock) shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Award with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed and shall not be delivered unless and until such Award has vested and been earned.

8.Subdivision or Consolidation; Recapitalization; Change in Control; Reorganization.  

(a)Existence of Plans and Awards.  The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company, the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Stock or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

(b)Additional Issuances.  Except as expressly provided herein, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, including upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Stock subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per share of Stock, if applicable.

(c)Subdivision or Consolidation of Shares.  The terms of an Award and the share limitations under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment by the Committee from time to time, in accordance with the following provisions:

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(i)If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall subdivide as a whole (by reclassification, by a Stock split, by the issuance of a distribution on Stock payable in Stock, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a greater number of shares of Stock, then, as appropriate (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery with respect to Awards and applicable limitations with respect to Awards provided in Section 4(a) and Section 5(b) (other than cash limits) shall be increased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any then outstanding Award shall be increased proportionately, and (C) the price (including the Exercise Price or grant price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then outstanding Awards shall be reduced proportionately, without changing the aggregate purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions.

(ii)If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall consolidate as a whole (by reclassification, by reverse Stock split, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a lesser number of shares of Stock, then, as appropriate (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery with respect to Awards and applicable limitations with respect to Awards provided in Section 4(a) and Section 5(b) (other than cash limits) shall be decreased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any then outstanding Award shall be decreased proportionately, and (C) the price (including the Exercise Price or grant price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then outstanding Awards shall be increased proportionately, without changing the aggregate purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions.

(d)Recapitalization.  In the event of any change in the capital structure or business of the Company or other corporate transaction or event that would be considered an “equity restructuring” within the meaning of ASC Topic 718 and, in each case, that would result in an additional compensation expense to the Company pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 718, if adjustments to Awards with respect to such event were discretionary or otherwise not required (each such an event, an “Adjustment Event”), then the Committee shall equitably adjust (i) the aggregate number or kind of shares that thereafter may be delivered under the Plan, (ii) the number or kind of shares or other property (including cash) subject to an Award, (iii) the terms and conditions of Awards, including the purchase price, grant price or Exercise Price of Awards and performance goals, as applicable, and (iv) the applicable limitations with respect to Awards provided in Section 4(a) and Section 5(b) (other than cash limits) to equitably reflect such Adjustment Event (“Equitable Adjustments”).  In the event of any change in the capital structure or business of the Company or other corporate transaction or event that would not be considered an Adjustment Event, and is not otherwise addressed in this Section 8, the Committee shall have complete discretion to make Equitable Adjustments (if any) in such manner as it deems appropriate with respect to such other event.  

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(e)Change in Control.  

(i)Treatment of Awards Assumed or Substituted by a Successor Entity.

(A)Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, in which any successor entity assumes outstanding Awards or substitutes similar awards under the successor entity’s equity compensation plan for outstanding Awards on the same terms and conditions as the original Awards, such Awards that are assumed or substituted shall not vest solely with respect to the occurrence of the Change in Control.

(B)Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if, in connection with or within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, a Participant’s service, consulting relationship, or employment with the Company, an Affiliate, and the Successor Entity and the Affiliates is terminated without Cause, the vesting and exercisability of all Awards, including substitute awards, then held by such Participant will be accelerated in full and be settled, as applicable, no later than sixty (60) days following the conclusion of the service or employment relationship (unless the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules would prohibit such acceleration of settlement, in which case such Awards shall vest but will be settled at date(s) of settlement specified in the applicable Award Agreement) and the expiration date of any Options shall be the day three months following the date the Participant ceases to be an employee or service provider to the Company, an Affiliate, and the Successor Entity and its affiliates. Unless the Award Agreement specifically provides for different treatment upon the circumstances described in this Section 8(e)(i)(B), Awards that vest based on performance shall be settled at the greater of (A) the target level of performance as set forth in the performance Award, and (B) the actual performance achieved, measured and calculated as of the date of the Change in Control pursuant to a shortened performance period ending on the occurrence of the Change in Control.

(ii)Treatment of Awards not Assumed or Substituted. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if, upon a Change in Control, the successor entity does not assume outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards under the successor entity’s equity compensation plan for outstanding Awards on the same terms and conditions as the original Awards, then the vesting of all outstanding Awards will be accelerated in full with effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control and shall be settled, as applicable, no later than sixty (60) days following the Change in Control (unless the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules would prohibit such acceleration of settlement, in which case such Awards will be settled at the originally specified date(s) of settlement). The Participant shall be permitted to conditionally redeem or exercise any or all Options, as applicable, effective immediately prior to the completion of any such transaction for the sole purpose of participating in such transaction. Unless the Award Agreement specifically provides for different treatment upon the circumstances described in this Section 8(e)(ii), Awards that vest based on performance shall be settled at the greater of (A) the target level of performance as set forth in the performance Award, and (B) the actual performance achieved, measured and calculated as of the date of the Change in Control pursuant to a shortened performance period ending on the occurrence of the Change in Control.

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If an Adjustment Event occurs, this Section 8(e) shall only apply to the extent it is not in conflict with Section 8(d).

9.General Provisions.  

(a)Tax Withholding.  The Company and any of the Affiliates are authorized to withhold from any Award granted, or any payment relating to an Award, including from a distribution of Stock, taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company, the Affiliates and Participants to satisfy the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award in such amounts as may be determined by the Committee.  The Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the form of payment acceptable for such tax withholding obligations, including the delivery of cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including previously owned shares, net settlement, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding or reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable or delivered pursuant to the Award), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate.  Any determination made by the Committee to allow a Participant who is subject to Rule 16b-3 to pay taxes with shares of Stock through net settlement or previously owned shares shall be approved by either a committee made up of solely two or more Qualified Members or the full Board.  If such tax withholding amounts are satisfied through net settlement or previously owned shares, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be so withheld or surrendered shall be the number of shares of Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or surrender equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, foreign and/or local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect to such Award, as determined by the Committee.

(b)Limitation on Rights Conferred under Plan.  Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Company or any of the Affiliates, (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or any of the Affiliates to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s employment or service relationship at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and/or employees and/or other service providers, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the terms of an Award.

(c)Relationship to Other Benefits. No Award or payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan or as required by applicable law.

(d)Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.  All questions arising with respect to the provisions of the Plan and Awards shall be determined by application of the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent Delaware law is preempted by federal law.  The obligation of the Company to sell 

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and deliver Stock hereunder is subject to applicable laws and to the approval of any governmental authority required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale, or delivery of such Stock.  With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under the Plan, the Company and each Participant who accepts an Award hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts located in Houston, Texas.  EACH PARTICIPANT WHO ACCEPTS AN AWARD IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR OTHER PROCEEDING INSTITUTED BY OR AGAINST SUCH PARTICIPANT IN RESPECT OF THE PARTICIPANT’S RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER.

(e)Severability and Reformation.  If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect. If any of the terms or provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (as those terms or provisions are applied to Eligible Persons who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act) or Section 422 of the Code (with respect to ISOs), then those conflicting terms or provisions shall be deemed inoperative to the extent they so conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (unless the Board or the Committee, as appropriate, has expressly determined that the Plan or such Award should not comply with Rule 16b-3) or Section 422 of the Code, in each case, only to the extent Rule 16b-3 and such sections of the Code are applicable.  With respect to ISOs, if the Plan does not contain any provision required to be included herein under Section 422 of the Code, that provision shall be deemed to be incorporated herein with the same force and effect as if that provision had been set out at length herein; provided, further, that, to the extent any Option that is intended to qualify as an ISO cannot so qualify, that Option (to that extent) shall be deemed a Nonstatutory Option for all purposes of the Plan.

(f)Unfunded Status of Awards; No Trust or Fund Created.  The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for certain incentive awards. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person.  To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or such Affiliate.

(g)Nonexclusivity of the Plan.  Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any of the Affiliates from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No 

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employee, beneficiary or other Person shall have any claim against the Company or any of the Affiliates as a result of any such action. 

(h)Fractional Shares.  No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional shares of Stock or whether such fractional shares of Stock or any rights thereto shall be cancelled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated with or without consideration.

(i)Interpretation.  Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof. Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, and, where appropriate, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of an Award Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation”, “but not limited to”, or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.  References herein to any agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and not prohibited by the Plan.

(j)Facility of Payment.  Any amounts payable hereunder to any individual under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to manage properly his financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such individual, or may be applied for the benefit of such individual in any manner that the Committee may select, and the Company shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.

(k)Conditions to Delivery of Stock.  Nothing herein or in any Award Agreement shall require the Company to issue any shares with respect to any Award if that issuance would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company (if the Company has requested such an opinion), constitute a violation of the Securities Act, any other applicable statute or regulation, or the rules of any applicable securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect.  In addition, each Participant who receives an Award under the Plan shall not sell or otherwise dispose of Stock that is acquired upon grant, exercise or vesting of an Award in any manner that would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws, the Plan or the rules, regulations or other requirements of the SEC or any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed.  At the time of any exercise of an Option or SAR, or at the time of any grant of any other Award, the Company may, as a condition precedent to the exercise of such Option or SAR or settlement of any other Award, require from the Participant (or in the event of his or her death, his or her legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) such written representations, if any, concerning the holder’s intentions with regard to the retention or disposition of the shares of Stock being acquired pursuant to the Award and such written 

22

 

covenants and agreements, if any, as to the manner of disposal of such shares as, in the opinion of counsel to the Company (if the Company has requested such an opinion), may be necessary to ensure that any disposition by that holder (or in the event of the holder’s death, his or her legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) will not involve a violation of the Securities Act, any other applicable state or federal statute or regulation, or any rule of any applicable securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect.  Stock or other securities shall not be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including any Exercise Price, grant price, or tax withholding) is received by the Company.

(l)Section 409A of the Code.  It is the general intention, but not the obligation, of the Committee to design Awards to comply with or to be exempt from the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, and Awards will be operated and construed accordingly. Neither this Section 9(l) nor any other provision of the Plan is or contains a representation to any Participant regarding the tax consequences of the grant, vesting, exercise, settlement, or sale of any Award (or the Stock underlying such Award) granted hereunder, and should not be interpreted as such.  In no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.  Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a “specified employee” (as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules) becomes entitled to a payment under an Award that would be subject to additional taxes and interest under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules if the Participant’s receipt of such payment or benefits is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the date that is six months after the Participant’s “separation from service,” as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules (such date, the “Section 409A Payment Date”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to the Participant until the Section 409A Payment Date.  Any amounts subject to the preceding sentence that would otherwise be payable prior to the Section 409A Payment Date will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum without interest on the Section 409A Payment Date.  The applicable provisions of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules are hereby incorporated by reference and shall control over any Plan or Award Agreement provision in conflict therewith.  

(m)Clawback.  The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder are subject to any written clawback policies that the Company, with the approval of the Board or an authorized committee thereof, may adopt either prior to or following the Effective Date, including any policy adopted to conform to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and rules promulgated thereunder by the SEC and that the Company determines should apply to Awards.  Any such policy may subject a Participant’s Awards and amounts paid or realized with respect to Awards to reduction, cancelation, forfeiture or recoupment if certain specified events or wrongful conduct occur, including an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material noncompliance with financial reporting regulations or other events or wrongful conduct specified in any such clawback policy.

(n)Status under ERISA.  The Plan shall not constitute an “employee benefit plan” for purposes of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

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(o)Plan Effective Date and Term.  The Plan was adopted by the Board to be effective on the Effective Date. No Awards may be granted under the Plan on and after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, which is March 8, 2031. However, any Award granted prior to such termination (or any earlier termination pursuant to Section 10), and the authority of the Board or Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan, shall extend beyond such termination until the final disposition of such Award.

10.Amendments to the Plan and Awards.  The Committee may (a) amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award or Award Agreement or (b) amend or alter the Plan without the consent of stockholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to the Plan, including any increase in any share limitation, shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Committee action if such stockholder approval is required by any applicable law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, and the Committee may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other changes to the Plan to stockholders for approval; provided, that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award.  The Board may (i) amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Committee’s authority to grant Awards or (ii) amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan; provided, that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award. For purposes of clarity, any adjustments made to Awards pursuant to Section 8 will be deemed not to materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award and therefore may be made without the consent of affected Participants. 

24talo-ex103_228.htm

Exhibit 10.3

TALOS ENERGY INC.

2021 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Talos Energy Inc. 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), Talos Energy Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the individual listed below (“you” or the “Participant”) the number of Restricted Stock Units (the “RSUs”) set forth below.  This award of RSUs (this “Award”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Agreement, as applicable.

 

		
	
Participant:
	
[________________]

	
Date of Grant:
	
[________________] (the “Date of Grant”)

	
Total Number of RSUs:
	
[________________]

	
Vesting Commencement Date:
	
[________________] (the “Vesting Commencement Date”)

	
Vesting Schedule:
	
[________________]   

 

By your signature below, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”).  You acknowledge that you have reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice.  You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations that arise under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant Notice.  This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts (including portable document format (.pdf) and facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, and the Participant has executed this Grant Notice, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

	
TALOS ENERGY INC.

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
By:
	
 
	
 

	
Name:
	
 
	
 

	
Title:
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
PARTICIPANT

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
Name:
	
 
	
 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

EXHIBIT A

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of the Date of Grant by and between Talos Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [________________] (the “Participant”). Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice.

1.Award.  In consideration of the Participant’s past and/or continued employment with the Company or an Affiliate and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Date of Grant, the Company hereby grants to the Participant the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice on the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.  If the Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, then to the extent vested, each RSU represents the right to receive an amount of cash as set forth in Section 4.  If the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, then to the extent vested, each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Stock.  Vesting and settlement of the RSUs shall occur at the times and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan.  Unless and until the RSUs have become vested in the manner set forth in the Grant Notice, the Participant will have no right to receive any cash or Stock in respect of the RSUs.  Prior to settlement of this Award, the RSUs and this Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable only from the general assets of the Company.

2.Vesting of RSUs.  

(a)Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2 or the Plan, the RSUs shall vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice.  Unless and until the RSUs have vested in accordance with such vesting schedule, the Participant will have no right to receive any dividends or other distribution with respect to the RSUs. In the event of the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to the vesting of all of the RSUs (but after giving effect to any accelerated vesting pursuant to this Section 2 and the Plan), any unvested RSUs (and all rights arising from such RSUs and from being a holder thereof) will terminate automatically without any further action by the Company and will be forfeited without further notice and at no cost to the Company.

[________________].

3.Dividend Equivalents.  In the event that the Company declares and pays a dividend in respect of its outstanding shares of Stock and, on the record date for such dividend, the Participant holds RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement that have not been settled, the Company shall record the amount of such dividend in a bookkeeping account and pay to the Participant an amount in cash equal to the cash dividends the Participant would have received if the Participant was the holder of record, as of such record date, of a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of RSUs held by the Participant that have not been settled as of such record 

A-1

 

date, such payment to be made on or within 60 days following the date on which such RSUs vest in accordance with Section 2.  For purposes of clarity, if the RSUs (or any portion thereof) are forfeited by the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, then the Participant shall also forfeit the Dividend Equivalents, if any, accrued with respect to such forfeited RSUs.  No interest will accrue on the Dividend Equivalents between the declaration and payment of the applicable dividends and the settlement of the Dividend Equivalents. 

4.Settlement of RSUs.  If the RSUs vest pursuant to Section 2 prior to the date on which the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan, then as soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of the RSUs pursuant to Section 2, but in no event later than 60 days after each such vesting date, the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s permitted transferee, if applicable) an amount of cash equal to the product of (a) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the vesting date and (b) the number of shares of Stock subject to the RSUs that vested and are being settled. If the RSUs vest pursuant to Section 2 on or following the date on which the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan, then as soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of the RSUs pursuant to Section 2, but in no event later than 60 days after each such vesting date, the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s permitted transferee, if applicable) the number of shares of Stock subject to the RSUs that vested and are being settled. Any fractional RSU that becomes vested hereunder shall be rounded down at the time shares of Stock are issued in settlement of such RSU. No fractional shares of Stock, nor the cash value of any fractional shares of Stock, will be issuable or payable to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement. All shares of Stock issued hereunder, if any, shall be delivered either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares to the Participant or by entering such shares in book-entry form, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The value of shares of Stock shall not bear any interest owing to the passage of time.  Neither this Section 4 nor any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement shall be construed to create a trust or a funded or secured obligation of any kind.

5.Tax Withholding.  To the extent that the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award results in compensation income or wages to the Participant for federal, state, local or foreign tax purposes, the Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to this Award, which arrangements may include, at the Company’s election, the delivery of cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including previously owned Stock, net settlement, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding or reduction of the amount of cash or shares of Stock otherwise issuable or delivered pursuant to this Award), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate. If such tax obligations are satisfied through the withholding of shares of Stock that are otherwise issuable to the Participant pursuant to this Award (or through the surrender of previously owned shares of Stock by the Participant to the Company), the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be so withheld (or surrendered) shall be the number of shares of Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or surrender equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities, determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect to this Award, as determined by the Committee. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent any cash payments are made to the Participant under this Agreement, taxes related thereto will be withheld from such payments. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the 

A-2

 

receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award or disposition of the underlying shares of Stock and the Participant has been advised, and hereby is advised, to consult a tax advisor. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that none of the Board, the Committee, the Company or any Affiliate have made any representation or warranty as to the tax consequences to the Participant as a result of the receipt of the RSUs, the vesting of the RSUs or the forfeiture of any of the RSUs. The Participant represents that the Participant is in no manner relying on the Board, the Committee, the Company or an Affiliate or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and financial representatives) for tax advice or an assessment of such tax consequences.

6.Non-Transferability.  During the lifetime of the Participant, the RSUs may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed.  Neither the RSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means, whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

7.Compliance with Securities Law.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of shares of Stock hereunder, if any, will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of applicable law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed.  No shares of Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed.  In addition, shares of Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at the time of such issuance with respect to the shares to be issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares to be issued are permitted to be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  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 for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Stock hereunder will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained.  As a condition to any issuance of Stock hereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any requirements that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance as may be requested by the Company.

8.Legends.  If a stock certificate is issued with respect to any shares of Stock delivered hereunder, such certificate shall bear such legend or legends as the Committee deems appropriate in order to reflect the restrictions set forth in this Agreement and to ensure compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the rules, regulations and other requirements of 

A-3

 

the SEC, any applicable laws or the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Stock is then listed.  If the shares of Stock issued hereunder are held in book-entry form, then such entry will reflect that the shares are subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement.

9.Rights as a Stockholder. Neither the Participant nor any Person claiming under or through the Participant shall have rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Stock that may become deliverable hereunder unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares of Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares of Stock, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

10.Execution of Receipts and Releases.  Any payments of cash or any issuance or transfer of shares of Stock or other property to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee, in accordance with this Agreement shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of such Person hereunder.  As a condition precedent to such payment or issuance, the Company may require the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee to execute (and not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release and receipt therefor in such form as it shall determine appropriate; provided, however, that any review period under such release will not modify the date of settlement with respect to vested RSUs.

11.No Right to Continued Employment or Awards. 

(a)For purposes of this Agreement, the Participant shall be considered to be employed by the Company as long as the Participant remains an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, or an employee of a corporation or other entity (or a parent or subsidiary of such corporation or other entity) assuming or substituting a new award for this Award. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, it is specifically provided that the Participant shall be considered to have terminated his or her employment with the Company at the time of the termination of the “Affiliate” status of the entity or other organization that employs the Participant. Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the award of the RSUs thereunder pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, shall confer upon the Participant the right to continued employment by the Company or any Affiliate, or any other entity, or affect in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity to terminate such employment at any time. Unless otherwise provided in a written employment agreement or by applicable law, the Participant’s employment by the Company, or any such Affiliate, or any other entity, shall be on an at-will basis, and the employment relationship may be terminated at any time by either the Participant or the Company, or any such Affiliate or any other entity for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause or notice. Any question as to whether and when there has been a termination of such employment, and the cause of such termination, shall be determined by the Committee or its delegate, and such determination shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes. 

(b)The grant of the RSUs is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future. Any future Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of the Company.

12.Legal and Equitable Remedies. The Participant acknowledges that a violation or attempted breach of any of the Participant's covenants and agreements in this Agreement will cause 

A-4

 

such damage as will be irreparable, the exact amount of which would be difficult to ascertain and for which there will be no adequate remedy at law, and accordingly, the parties hereto agree that the Company and the Affiliates shall be entitled as a matter of right to an injunction issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining the Participant or the affiliates, partners or agents of the Participant from such breach or attempted violation of such covenants and agreements, as well as to recover from the Participant any and all costs and expenses sustained or incurred by the Company or any Affiliate in obtaining such an injunction, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees. The parties to this Agreement agree that no bond or other security shall be required in connection with such injunction. Any exercise by either of the parties to this Agreement of its rights pursuant to this Section 12 shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies to which such party may be entitled. 

13.Notices.  All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

If to the Company, unless otherwise designated by the Company in a written notice to the Participant (or other holder):

Talos Energy Inc.

Attn: Executive Vice President and General Counsel

333 Clay St., Suite 3300

Houston, Texas 77002

If to the Participant, at the Participant’s last known address on filed with the Company. 

Any notice that is delivered personally or by overnight courier or telecopier in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to have been duly given to the Participant when it is mailed by the Company or, if such notice is not mailed to the Participant, upon receipt by the Participant. Any notice that is addressed and mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been given to the party to whom it is addressed at the close of business, local time of the recipient, on the fourth day after the day it is so placed in the mail. 

14.Consent to Electronic Delivery; Electronic Signature.  In lieu of receiving documents in paper format, the Participant agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to accept electronic delivery of any documents that the Company may be required to deliver (including, but not limited to, prospectuses, prospectus supplements, grant or award notifications and agreements, account statements, annual and quarterly reports and all other forms of communications) in connection with this and any other Award made or offered by the Company. Electronic delivery may be via a Company electronic mail system or by reference to a location on a Company intranet to which the Participant has access. The Participant hereby consents to any and all procedures the Company has established or may establish for an electronic signature system for delivery and acceptance of any such documents that the Company may be required to deliver, and agrees that his or her electronic signature is the same as, and shall have the same force and effect as, his or her manual signature.

A-5

 

15.Agreement to Furnish Information.  The Participant agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation.

16.Entire Agreement; Amendment.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the RSUs granted hereby; provided, however, that the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any employment agreement between the Participant and the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) or a severance plan in which the Participant participates, in each case, in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement.  Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, any such amendment that materially reduces the rights of the Participant shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both the Participant and an authorized officer of the Company.

17.Severability and Waiver.  If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement or failure to exercise any right hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach or right. The failure of any party to take action by reason of such breach or to exercise any such right shall not deprive the party of the right to take action at any time while or after such breach or condition giving rise to such rights continues.

18.Clawback.  Notwithstanding any provision in the Grant Notice, this Agreement or the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required by (a) applicable law, including, without limitation, the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, any SEC rule or any applicable securities exchange listing standards and/or (b) any policy that may be adopted or amended by the Board from time to time, all cash or shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment and/or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) and/or policy.

19.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of DELAWARE, WITHOUT regard to conflicts of law principles thereof.

20.Successors and Assigns.  The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.  Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant's beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the Person(s) to whom the RSUs may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

A-6

 

21.Headings. Headings are for convenience only and are not deemed to be part of this Agreement.

22.Counterparts.  The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic or digital signature, subject to applicable law, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of the Grant Notice by facsimile or portable document format (.pdf) attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of the Grant Notice.

23.Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Plan to the contrary, the RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement are intended to be exempt from the applicable requirements of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Nevertheless, to the extent that the Committee determines that the RSUs may not be exempt from the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, then, if the Participant is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, as determined by the Committee, at a time when the Participant becomes eligible for settlement of the RSUs upon his “separation from service” within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, then to the extent necessary to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, such settlement will be delayed until the earlier of: (a) the date that is six months following the Participant’s separation from service and (b) the Participant’s death.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Affiliates make no representations that the RSUs provided under this Agreement are exempt from or compliant with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and in no event shall the Company or any Affiliate be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.

A-7

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