Document:

earthstoneexh107.htm

Exhibit 10.7

 

 

QAS, LLC - Financial Consulting Agreement

 

I.  Relationship of QAS, LLC to EARTHSTONE Energy, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Client") and Client Confidentiality

 

Client will engage QAS, LLC as a vendor for Financial reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance consulting. QAS principal, James Poage has agreed to review and sign the Client's SEC filings as the interim Chief Financial Officer throughout the period of this agreement.

 

No consultant providing services to client on behalf of QAS, LLC will be considered an employee of client.

 

Due to the nature of the work that QAS, LLC will be hired to perform, QAS, LLC will adhere to the highest standards of client confidentiality whereby QAS, LLC will not discuss details of the work outside of the client environment. Additionally, unless otherwise agreed upon between the client and the QAS, LLC at the beginning of the engagement, any work that is completed on behalf of the client is then considered property of the client.

 

II.  Invoicing

 

Invoices for services provided by QAS,  LLC to client will be rendered as services are delivered. QAS offers an "expediency discount" on each invoice equal to 17% if payment is received within seven days following the invoice date.

 

Services provided by QAS, LLC to client will be invoiced at hourly rates based upon the rates for the individuals performing the work and will adhere to the following table:

 

Principal:  $115 per hour or $98/hour with "Expediency Discount"

IT/Audit Manager: $110 per hour or $90/hour with "Expediency Discount"

Audit Staff: $88 per hour or $75/hour with "Expediency Discount"

 

Out-of-town travel (airfare and hotel) expenditures (if any) will be reimbursed by the 

Client at the rate of actual expenditure.

 

III.  Initial Retainer

 

QAS, LLC shall invoice the Client an initial retainer for services of in the amount of $5,000, which shall be paid by the Client upon the acceptance of this agreement.

 

IV.  Right to Terminate

 

Relationship shall commence and continue until mutually agreed by parties.

 

V.  Acknowledgement by Parties

 

The terms above are confidential and may not be distributed in any way or discussed with anyone who is not a party to this agreement.

 

By signing below, parties agree to the terms outlined above.

 

 

 

	EARTHSTONE 	 	 	 
	Energy Inc. 	 	QAS, LLC	 
	 	 	 	 
	Ray Singleton, President 	 	James M. Poage, Principal	 
	 	 	 	 
	/s/  Ray Singleton, President	 3/16/11	/s/  James M. Poage	3/16/11
	Signature 	Date 	Signature 	DateExhibit 4.1

 

	
  

  	
  SS CUSIP 860341
  10 6 SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS This Certifies that is the owner of STEWART
  & STEVENSON INC. SEAL 2011 DELAWARE CORPORATE FULLY PAID AND
  NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE PAR VALUE OF $0.01 EACH OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
  transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized
  attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This
  certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and
  registered by the Registrar. Witness the seal of the Corporation and the
  facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. Dated: STEWART &
  STEVENSON INC. STEWART & STEVENSON INC. INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF
  THE STATE OF DElAWARE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
  COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: CONTINENTAl STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
  TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR BY AUTHORIZED OFFICER COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK © SECURITY-COLUMBIAN UNITED STATES BANKNOTE COMPANY 1960

  

 

	
  

  	
  The following
  abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate,
  shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to
  applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM – as tenants in common TEN ENT – as
  tenants by the entireties JT TEN – as joint tenants with right of
  survivorship and not as tenants in common Additional abbreviations may also
  be used though not in the above list. For value received, hereby sell, assign
  and transfer unto PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER
  OF ASSIGNEE (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE,
  OF ASSIGNEE) shares of the capital stock represented by the within
  Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to
  transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation with
  full power of substitution in the premises. Dated Notice: The signature to
  this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the
  certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any
  change whatever. Signature(s) Guaranteed: UNIF GIFT MIN ACT– Custodian (Cust)
  (Minor) under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (State) THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE
  GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS
  AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED
  SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15). STEWART
  & STEVENSON INC. The Corporation will furnish without charge to each
  stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and
  relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of
  stock or series thereof of the Corporation and the qualifications,
  limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate
  and the shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to
  all the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments
  thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of
  shares of Preferred Stock (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary
  of the Corporation), to all of which the holder of this certificate by
  acceptance hereof assents. PLEASE INITIAL THE APPROPRIATE SELECTION FOR THIS
  PROOF: OK AS IS OK WITH CHANGES MAKE CHANGES AND SEND ANOTHER PROOF AMERICAN
  BANK NOTE COMPANY 711 ARMSTRONG LANE COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE 38401 (931) 388-3003
  SALES: HOLLY GRONER 931-490-7660 PROOF OF: JUNE 13, 2011 STEWART &
  STEVENSON INC. WO 3811 BK LOT 1&2 OPERATOR: JH NEWExhibit 10.6

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

June   , 2011

 

by and among

 

Stewart & Stevenson Inc.,

 

and

 

the Holders identified herein

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE I.
    	
 
    	
DEFINITIONS AND CERTAIN   INTERPRETATIVE MATTERS
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
1.1
    	
Definitions
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE II.
    	
 
    	
DEMAND REGISTRATION
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.1
    	
Right to Demand Registration
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.2
    	
Blackout Period
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.3
    	
Effective Demand Registrations
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.4
    	
Revocation of Demand Registration
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.5
    	
Continuous Effectiveness of Registration   Statement
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.6
    	
Underwritten Demand Registration
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE III.
    	
 
    	
PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.1
    	
Right to Piggyback
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.2
    	
Priority on Piggyback Registrations
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.3
    	
Withdrawal of Piggyback Registration
    	
9
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IV.
    	
 
    	
PROCEDURES AND EXPENSES
    	
10
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.1
    	
Registration Procedures
    	
10
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.2
    	
Information from Holders
    	
13
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.3
    	
Suspension of Disposition
    	
14
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.4
    	
Registration Expenses
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE V.
    	
 
    	
INDEMNIFICATION
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.1
    	
Indemnification by the Company
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.2
    	
Indemnification by Holders
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.3
    	
Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.4
    	
Contribution
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VI.
    	
 
    	
RULE 144
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VII.
    	
 
    	
PARTICIPATION IN   UNDERWRITTEN OFFERINGS
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIII.
    	
 
    	
MISCELLANEOUS
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.1
    	
Notices
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.2
    	
Confidentiality
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.3
    	
Assignment
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.4
    	
No Third-Party Beneficiaries
    	
19
    
					

 

i

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.5
    	
Entire Agreement
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.6
    	
Amendment and Waiver
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.7
    	
Counterparts
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.8
    	
Severability
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.9
    	
Governing Law
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.10
    	
Specific Performance
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.11
    	
Further Assurances
    	
20
    

 

ii

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June    , 2011, is made by and among Stewart & Stevenson Inc., a Delaware corporation, and the signatories hereto.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Stewart & Stevenson LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, was acquired on January 23, 2006, pursuant to an acquisition agreement by and between Parman Capital Group LLC (“Parman Capital Group”) and Stewart & Stevenson Services Inc. and its affiliates; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company currently contemplates completing an initial public offering (“IPO”) of its Common Stock; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has filed a Registration Statement (File No. 333-173867) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) in connection with the IPO of shares of its Common Stock; and

 

WHEREAS, prior to the consummation of the IPO, the Company, pursuant to Delaware law, has converted into a Delaware corporation (the “Corporate Conversion”) upon which, among other things, the existing common units held by Parman Capital Group converted to the Company’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and the remainder of the existing common units converted into Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide Parman Capital Group, EC Investments B.V., Frank C. Carlucci III Revocable Trust and Ms. Nina Ansary with the registration rights specified in this Agreement following the IPO, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENTS

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and agreements contained herein and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I.             Definitions and Certain Interpretative Matters

 

1.1           Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

(a)           “Advice”:  As defined in Section 4.3.

 

(b)           “Affiliate”:  As defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(c)           “Agreement”:  As defined in the introductory paragraph hereof.

 

 

(d)           “Blackout Period”:  Any period during which, in accordance with Section 2.2, the Company is not required to effect the filing of a Registration Statement or is entitled to postpone the preparation, filing or effectiveness or suspend the effectiveness of a Registration Statement.

 

(e)           “Business Day”:  Any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which national banking institutions in New York, New York, are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

 

(f)            “Certificate of Incorporation”:  The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company after giving effect to the Corporate Conversion, as amended from time to time.

 

(g)           “Class B Common Stock”: means the Company’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

 

(h)           “Common Stock”:  means the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

 

(i)            “Company”:  means Stewart & Stevenson LLC and, from and after the effective time of the Corporate Conversion, Stewart & Stevenson Inc.

 

(j)            “Corporate Conversion”:  As defined in the Recitals.

 

(k)           “Demand Notice”:  As defined in Section 2.1.

 

(l)            “Demand Registration”:  means any registration of the Company’s securities pursuant to Article II hereof.

 

(m)          “Demand Registration Statement”:  means a Registration Statement effected pursuant to a Demand Registration under Article II hereof.

 

(n)           “EC Investments”:  means EC Investments B.V., a Netherlands Antilles company (including one or more of its Affiliates that has become the owner of Registrable Securities and has become a party to this Agreement).

 

(o)           “EC Registrable Securities”:  means Registrable Securities held by EC Investments.

 

(p)           “EC Shares”: means the Common Shares held by EC Investments.

 

(q)           “Exchange Act”:  The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(r)            “Filing Date”:  (i) With respect to a Registration Statement to be filed on Form S-1 (or any applicable successor form) in connection with a Public Offering or on Form S-3 (or any applicable successor form), not later than 90 days after receipt by the Company of a request for such Registration Statement and (ii) with respect to a Registration Statement to be filed other than on Form S-1 in connection with a Public Offering or Form S-3 (or any applicable 

 

2

 

successor form), not later than 120 days after receipt by the Company of a request for registration under this Agreement.

 

(s)           “FINRA”:  means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

(t)            “FINRA Regulations”:  means the rules and regulations promulgated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

(u)           “Free Writing Prospectus”:  means a “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) constituting an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities related to a registered offering of which a registration statement has been file as defined in the Securities Act.

 

(v)           “Holders”:  Parman Capital Group, EC Investments, Frank C. Carlucci III Revocable Trust and Ms. Nina Ansary.

 

(w)          “IPO”:  As defined in the Recitals.

 

(x)            “Indemnified Party”:  As defined in Section 5.3.

 

(y)           “Indemnifying Party”:  As defined in Section 5.3.

 

(z)            “Losses”:  As defined in Section 5.1.

 

(aa)          “NYSE”:  The New York Stock Exchange

 

(bb)          “Parman Capital Group”:  means Parman Capital Group LLC (including one or more of its Affiliates that has become the owner of Registrable Securities and has become a party to this Agreement).

 

(cc)         “Parman Capital Group Registrable Securities”:  means Registrable Securities held by Parman Capital Group.

 

(dd)         “Parman Shares”:  means the Class B Common Shares held by Parman Capital Group LLC.

 

(ee)         “Person”:  Any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other entity or association, including without limitation any governmental authority.

 

(ff)           “Piggyback Notice”:  As defined in Section 3.1.

 

(gg)         “Piggyback Registration”:  As defined in Section 3.1.

 

(hh)         “Piggyback Request”:  means a request made pursuant to Section 3.1.

 

(ii)           “Prospectus”:  The prospectus included in the applicable Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and 

 

3

 

all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and including all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

(jj)           “Public Offering”:  means any primary public offering of Common Stock by the Company pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act, other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 or, in each case, any successor or similar form.

 

(kk)         “Registrable Securities”:  (i) the Parman Shares, the EC Shares and the shares of Common Stock of each of the other Holders and (ii) any securities paid, issued or distributed in respect of any such shares by way of stock dividend, stock split or distribution, or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or otherwise; provided, however, that as to any Registrable Securities, such securities will irrevocably cease to constitute “Registrable Securities” upon the earliest to occur of:  (A) the date on which the securities are disposed of pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; (B)  the date on which the securities may be freely sold publicly without either registration under the Securities Act or compliance with any restrictions, including without limitation restrictions as to volume or manner of sales, under Rule 144 (or any successor provision); (C) the date on which the securities have been transferred to any Person other than a Holder; or (D) the date on which the securities cease to be outstanding.

 

(ll)           “Registration Expenses”:  As defined in Section 4.4.

 

(mm)       “Registration Statement”:  Any registration statement of the Company under the Securities Act that covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the related Prospectus, all amendments and supplements to such registration statement (including post-effective amendments), and all exhibits and all materials incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

(nn)         “Required Period”:  With respect to a “shelf registration” requested pursuant to Section 2.1(b), two years following the first day of effectiveness of such Registration Statement, and with respect to any other Registration Statement, 180 days following the first day of effectiveness of such Registration Statement.

 

(oo)         “Rule 144”:  Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

(pp)         “SEC”:  The Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(qq)         “Securities Act”:  The Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(rr)           “Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering”:  A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

4

 

(ss)         Certain Interpretative Matters.  Unless the context otherwise requires, (a) all references to Articles or Sections are to Articles or Sections of this Agreement, (b) each term defined in this Agreement has the meaning assigned to it, (c) all uses of “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and words similar thereto in this Agreement refer to this Agreement in its entirety, and not solely to the Article, Section or provision in which it appears, (d) “or” is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive, and (e) words in the singular include the plural and vice versa.  Unless otherwise specified, the use of the term “day” will be deemed to be a calendar day and not a Business Day.

 

Article II.            Demand Registration

 

2.1           Right to Demand Registration.

 

(a)           At any time and from time to time, Parman Capital Group or EC Investments may request in writing that the Company effect the registration of all or part of Parman Capital Group’s Registrable Securities or EC Investments’ Registrable Securities, respectively, with the SEC under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act (which written request will specify (i) its then current name and address, (ii) the aggregate number of shares of Registrable Securities requested to be registered, (iii) the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock then held by Parman Capital Group, or Common Stock then held by EC Investments, as appropriate, and (iv) the means of distribution) (a “Demand Notice”).  The Company will file a Registration Statement covering Parman Capital Group’s or EC Investments’ Registrable Securities requested to be registered as promptly as reasonably practicable (and, in any event, by the applicable Filing Date) after receipt of such request and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the same to be declared effective by the SEC as promptly as reasonably practicable after such filing; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to take any action pursuant to this Article II:

 

(A)          if such request is made by Parman Capital Group or EC Investments and, prior to the date of such request, the Company has effected four Demand Registrations, or, has effected one Demand Registration in the twelve-month period immediately preceding the Demand Notice;

 

(B)           if such request is made by Parman Capital Group or EC Investments within 180 days after the effective date of consummation of the IPO, or to the extent it would otherwise violate any “lock-up” provisions to which the Company is subject;

 

(C)           if the Company has effected a registration of its Common Stock within the 90-day period preceding such request;

 

(D)          if a Registration Statement is effective at the time such request is made pursuant to which Parman Capital Group or EC Investments could effect the disposition of Parman Capital Group’s or EC Investments’ Registrable Securities as described in the Demand Notice;

 

(E)           in the case of an Underwritten Offering, if the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Demand Registration have an 

 

5

 

aggregate then-current market value of less than $25 million (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission); or

 

(F)           during any Blackout Period.

 

(b)           If Parman Capital Group or EC Investments requests that the Company effect a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 and the Company is at such time eligible to use Form S-3, Parman Capital Group or EC Investments may specify that the requested registration be a “shelf registration” for an offering on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act.

 

2.2           Blackout Period.

 

(a)           The Company may defer the filing (but not the preparation) of a registration statement required by Section 2.1 until a date not later than ninety (90) days after the Filing Date, if (i) prior to receiving the Demand Notice, the Company has determined to effect an offering of equity securities of the Company for the Company’s account and the Company has taken substantial steps and is proceeding with reasonable diligence to effect such offering, (ii) the Company files or proposes to file a registration statement with respect to an offering of equity securities of the Company for its own account and (iii) with reasonable prior notice (A) the Company (in the case of an offering that is not an Underwritten Offering) advises Parman Capital Group or EC Investments that the Board of Directors of the Company has determined, in the good faith exercise of its reasonable business judgment, that such Demand Registration would adversely affect such offering or (B) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the managing underwriter, if any, advises the Company in writing (in which case the Company will promptly notify Parman Capital Group or EC Investments, as the case may be), that a sale or distribution of Registrable Securities would adversely affect such offering by the Company.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 2.1 to the contrary, if the Board of Directors of the Company determines, in the good faith exercise of its reasonable business judgment, that the registration and distribution of Registrable Securities (i) would materially impede, delay or interfere with any financing, acquisition, corporate reorganization or other significant transaction, or any negotiations, discussions or pending proposals with respect thereto, involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) would require disclosure of non-public material information, the disclosure of which would materially and adversely affect the Company, the Company will promptly give the Parman Capital Group or EC Investments, as the case may be, written notice of such determination and will be entitled to postpone the preparation, filing or effectiveness or suspend the effectiveness of an effective Demand Registration Statement for a reasonable period of time not to exceed 90 days.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 2.2 to the contrary, there will be no more than two Blackout Periods during any consecutive 12-month period during the time in which Parman Capital Group or EC Investments may request a registration pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

6

 

2.3           Effective Demand Registrations.

 

(a)           The Company may satisfy its obligations under Section 2.1 by amending or supplementing (including, if permitted, through incorporation by reference) (in each case to the extent permitted by applicable law) any registration statement previously filed by the Company under the Securities Act so that such amended or supplemented registration statement will permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods of disposition specified in the applicable Demand Notice) of all of the Registrable Securities for which a Demand Registration has been properly made under Section 2.1.  If the Company so amends or supplements a previously filed registration statement, it will be deemed to have effected a registration for purposes of Section 2.1.

 

(b)           Except as provided in Section 2.4, a registration requested pursuant to Section 2.1 will not be deemed to be effected for purposes of Section 2.1 if it (including any post-effective amendment) has not been declared effective by the SEC or become effective in accordance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and kept effective as contemplated by Section 2.5.

 

2.4           Revocation of Demand Registration.  Parman Capital Group or EC Investments, as a holder of Registrable Securities to be included in a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1 may, at any time prior to the effective date (or, if the Company relies on Section 2.3 to comply with such Demand Registration, prior to the inclusion of such Registrable securities in such previously filed registration statement) of the Registration Statement relating to such registration, revoke its request to have its Registrable Securities included therein by providing a written notice to the Company.  In the event Parman Capital Group or EC Investments revokes such request, either (i) Parman Capital Group or EC Investments, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Company for all its out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the preparation, filing and processing of the Registration Statement and no Demand Registration will be deemed to have been effected or (ii) such Demand Registration that has been revoked will be deemed to have been effected for purposes of Section 2.1; provided, however, that, if such revocation was based on the Company’s failure to comply in any material respect with its obligations hereunder, such reimbursement will not be required and such Demand Registration that has been revoked will not be deemed to have been effected for purposes of Section 2.1.

 

2.5           Continuous Effectiveness of Registration Statement.  The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to keep a Registration Statement that has become effective as contemplated by this Article II continuously effective for (a) at least the Required Period (subject to extension pursuant to Section 4.3) or (b) such shorter period that will terminate when all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (i) have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement or (ii) cease to be Registrable Securities; provided, however, that in no event will such period expire prior to the expiration of the applicable period referred to in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 promulgated thereunder.

 

2.6           Underwritten Demand Registration.  In the event that a registration requested pursuant to Section 2.1 is to be an Underwritten Registration, the managing underwriter of the Underwritten Offering relating thereto will be selected, after consultation with the Company, by Parman Capital Group or EC Investments, as the case may be.  If Parman Capital Group or EC Investments proposes to distribute its securities through an Underwritten Offering, it agrees to enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters, provided that the underwriting 

 

7

 

agreement is in customary form and reasonably acceptable to Holders of the Registrable Securities to be included in the Underwritten Offering.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such Underwritten Offering advise the Company and Parman Capital Group or EC Investments that, in its good faith determination, the total amount of securities that Parman Capital Group or EC Investments proposes to register is such as to materially and adversely affect the success of such Underwritten Offering or that if the managing underwriter of an underwritten offering under this Section 2.6 advises the Company and Parman Capital Group or EC Investments in writing that the total number of shares requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock which can be sold in such offering or that the success or pricing of the offering would be materially and adversely affected by the inclusion of all of the shares of Common Stock requested to be included, then the Company may either request that Parman Capital Group or EC Investments, as the case may be, decrease the number of shares it proposes to be included in such Underwritten Registration or invoke Section 2.2.

 

Article III.           Piggyback Registration

 

3.1           Right to Piggyback.  If at any time, and from time to time, the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of any class of equity securities (other than a registration statement (a) on Form S-4, Form S-8 or in each case any successor forms thereto, or (b) filed solely in connection with an offering made solely to existing stockholders or employees of the Company), whether or not for its own account, then the Company will give written notice (the “Piggyback Notice”) of such proposed filing to the Holders at least 30 days before the anticipated filing date.  Such notice will offer the Holders the opportunity to register such amount of Registrable Securities as each Holder may request on the same terms and conditions as the registration of the Company’s securities, as the case may be (a “Piggyback Registration”).  The Company will include in each Piggyback Registration all Registrable Securities for which the Company has received written requests for inclusion within 15 days after delivery of the Piggyback Notice, subject to Section 3.2.

 

3.2           Priority on Piggyback Registrations.  If the Piggyback Registration is an Underwritten Offering, the Company will cause the managing underwriter of that proposed offering to permit the Holders that have requested Registrable Securities to be included in the Piggyback Registration to include all such Registrable Securities on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities, if any, of the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such Underwritten Offering advises the Company and the selling Holders in writing that, in its good faith determination, the total amount of securities that the Company and the Holders propose to include in such offering is such as to materially and adversely affect the success of such Underwritten Offering or that if the managing underwriter of an underwritten offering under this Section 3.2 advises the Company and such Holders in writing that the total number of shares requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock which can be sold in such offering or that the success or pricing of the offering would be materially and adversely affected by the inclusion of all of the shares of Common Stock requested to be included, then:

 

(a)           if such Piggyback Registration is a primary registration by the Company for its own account, the Company will include in such Piggyback Registration:  (i) first, all 

 

8

 

securities to be offered by the Company; (ii) second, up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration by the Holders making such Piggyback Request, allocated pro rata among such Holders, on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such Holder; and (iii)  any other securities requested to be included in such registration so that the total amount of securities to be included in such Underwritten Offering is the full amount that, in the opinion of such managing underwriter, can be sold without materially and adversely affecting the success of such Underwritten Offering; and

 

(b)           if such Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration for the account of holders of securities of the Company, the Company will include in such registration:  (i) first, all securities of the Persons exercising “demand” registration rights requested to be included therein; (ii) second, up to the full amount securities proposed to be included in the registration by the Company, and (iii) third, up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration by the Holders, on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the priorities, if any, then existing among the Company and the Holders so that the total amount of securities to be included in such Underwritten Offering is the full amount that, in the written opinion of such managing underwriter, can be sold without materially and adversely affecting the success of such Underwritten Offering.

 

(c)           If so requested (pursuant to a timely written notice) by the managing underwriter in any Underwritten Offering the Holders participating in such Underwritten Offering will agree not to effect any public sale or distribution (or any other type of sale as the managing underwriter reasonably determines is necessary in order to effect the Underwritten Offering) of any such Registrable Securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (but excluding any Registrable Securities included in such Underwritten Offering), during the 10 days prior to, and during the 90 days (or such additional period as the managing underwriter reasonably determines is necessary in order to effect the Underwritten Offering) following, the closing date of such Underwritten Offering (or such longer period as may be required by the applicable underwriting agreement solely to comply with FINRA Regulations).  In the event of such a request, the Company may impose, during such period, appropriate stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Registrable Securities subject to such restrictions.

 

3.3           Withdrawal of Piggyback Registration.

 

(a)           If at any time after giving the Piggyback Notice and prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement filed in connection with the Piggyback Registration, the Company determines for any reason not to register or to delay the Piggyback Registration, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of its determination to all Holders, and (i) in the case of a determination not to register, will be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with the abandoned Piggyback Registration, without prejudice, and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay the Piggyback Registration, will be permitted to delay the registration for a period not exceeding 180 days.

 

(b)           Any Holder of Registrable Securities requesting to be included in a Piggyback Registration may withdraw its request for inclusion by giving written notice to the Company of its intention to withdraw from that registration, provided, however, (i) the Holder’s request must be made in writing, in the case of an Underwritten Registration, at least five 

 

9

 

Business Days prior to the anticipated effective date of the Registration Statement, or if the registration is not an Underwritten Registration, at least five Business Days prior to the anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement covering the Piggyback Registration, and (ii) the withdrawal will be irrevocable and, after making the withdrawal, a Holder will no longer have any right to include its Registrable Securities in that Piggyback Registration.

 

(c)           The Company shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligations with respect to any Piggyback Registration to any Holder under this Article III notwithstanding an election to withdraw under this Section 3.3.

 

Article IV.           Procedures and Expenses

 

4.1           Registration Procedures.  In connection with the Company’s registration obligations pursuant to Articles II and III, the Company will effect such registrations to permit the sale of Registrable Securities by a Holder in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will as promptly as reasonably practicable:

 

(a)           pursuant to Section 2.1, prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on an appropriate form under the Securities Act available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by Parman Capital Group or EC Investments, in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof; provided, however, that the Company will, before filing, furnish to Parman Capital Group or EC Investments, as the case may be, and the managing underwriter, if any, copies of the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed;

 

(b)           pursuant to Section 2.5, prepare and file with the SEC any amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be necessary and any supplements to the Prospectus as may be required, in the opinion of the Company and its counsel, by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until the earlier of (i) all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or (ii) the termination of the Required Period;

 

(c)           promptly following its actual knowledge thereof, notify the selling Holders and the managing underwriter, if any,

 

(i)            when a Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or amendment or Free Writing Prospectus has been filed and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the Registration Statement has become effective,

 

(ii)           of any request by the SEC or any other governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information,

 

10

 

(iii)          of the issuance by the SEC or any other governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose,

 

(iv)          of the receipt by the Company of any written notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose,

 

(v)           of the occurrence of any event which makes any statement made in the Registration Statement or Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in a Registration Statement or Prospectus or other document so that it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and

 

(vi)          of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate;

 

(d)           use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable date;

 

(e)           furnish to each selling Holder and the managing underwriter, if any, at least one conformed copy of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements (but excluding all schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits);

 

(f)            prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders, the managing underwriter, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as the selling Holders or the managing underwriter reasonably request in writing and maintain each registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective; provided, however, the Company will not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction in which it is not then so qualified or take any action which would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any jurisdiction in which it is not then so subject;

 

(g)           as promptly as practicable upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 4.1(c)(v) or 4.1(c)(vi) hereof, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to each Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to

 

11

 

state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

 

(h)           in the case of an Underwritten Offering, enter into customary and reasonable agreements (including an underwriting agreement) and take all other actions reasonably necessary or desirable to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities, and in connection therewith:

 

(i)            use its reasonable best efforts to obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) are reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter, if any, and each selling Holder addressed to each selling Holder and the managing underwriter covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in Underwritten Offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by any selling Holder or any underwriter, and

 

(ii)           use its reasonable best efforts to obtain “comfort” letters and updates thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the Company addressed to each selling Holder and the managing underwriter covering the matters customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with Underwritten Offerings;

 

(i)            upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times during normal business hours, make available for inspection by a representative of each selling Holder and any underwriter participating in any disposition of Registrable Securities and any attorney or accountant retained by any selling Holder or any underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration Statement; and

 

(j)            otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and make generally available to the Company’s securityholders an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act no later than thirty (30) days after the end of the twelve (12) month period beginning with the first day of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of a registration statement, which earnings statement shall cover said twelve (12) month period, and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

 

(k)           if requested by the managing underwriter or any selling Holder, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or any selling Holder reasonably requests to be included therein, including, without limitation, with respect to the Registrable Securities being sold by such selling Holder, the purchase price being paid therefor by the underwriters and with respect to any other

 

12

 

terms of the underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering, and promptly make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

 

(l)            cause the Registrable Securities included in any registration statement to be (A) listed on each securities exchange, if any, on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed, or (B) quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or the Nasdaq National Market if similar securities issued by the Company are quoted thereon;

 

(m)          provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered hereunder;

 

(n)           cooperate with each selling Holder and each underwriter participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA;

 

(o)           during the period when the prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, timely file all documents required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

(p)           cooperate with the Selling Holders and the managing underwriter to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (which shall not bear any restrictive legends unless required under applicable law) representing securities sold under any registration statement, and enable such securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or such Selling Holders may request and keep available and make available to the Company’s transfer agent prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement a supply of such certificates;

 

4.2           Information from Holders.

 

(a)           The Company may require each selling Holder that has requested inclusion of its Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and its plan and method of distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request in writing.  The Company may refuse to proceed with the registration of such Holder’s Registrable Securities if such Holder unreasonably fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

 

(b)           Each selling Holder will as expeditiously as possible (i) notify the Company of the occurrence of any event that makes any statement made in a Registration Statement or Prospectus regarding such selling Holder untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in a Registration Statement or Prospectus so that, in such regard, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements not misleading and (ii) provide the Company with such information as may be required to enable the Company to prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to any such Registration Statement or a supplement to such Prospectus.

 

13

 

(c)           With respect to any Registration Statement for an Underwritten Offering, the inclusion of a Holder’s Registrable Securities therein will be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the execution and delivery by such Holder of an underwriting agreement in form, scope and substance as is customary in Underwritten Offerings and performance of such Holder’s obligations under such underwriting agreement.

 

4.3           Suspension of Disposition.

 

(a)           Each selling Holder will be deemed to have agreed that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Section 4.1(c)(ii), 4.1(c)(iii), 4.1(c)(iv), 4.1(c)(v) or 4.1(c)(vi), such Holder will discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement or Prospectus until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 4.1(g) or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed and have received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.  In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the period of time for which a Registration Statement must remain effective as set forth in Section 2.5 will be extended by the number of days during the time period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement has received (i) the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 4.1(g) or (ii) the Advice.

 

(b)           Parman Capital Group or EC Investments will be deemed to have agreed that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of an event specified in Section 2.2(b), disclosure of which would be required in the Registration Statement and the Board of Directors of the Company has determined in the good faith exercise of its reasonable business judgment that disclosure would adversely affect the Company, Parman Capital Group or EC Investments, as the case may be, will discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement or Prospectus until the earlier to occur of Parman Capital Group or EC Investments receiving (i) copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus describing the event giving rise to the aforementioned suspension or (ii) (A) notice in writing from the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed and (B) copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus; provided, however, that the periods during which the offer and sale of Registrable Securities is discontinued shall not exceed two 90-day periods during any 12-month period.  In the event the Company gives any such notice, the period of time for which a Registration Statement must remain effective as set forth in Section 2.1 will be extended by the number of days during the time period from and including the date of giving of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement receives (i) a supplemented or amended Prospectus describing the event giving rise to the aforementioned suspension or (ii) notice from the Company that use of the applicable Prospectus may resume.

 

14

 

4.4           Registration Expenses.

 

(a)           Subject to Section 2.4, all fees and expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Articles II, III and Section 4.1 (“Registration Expenses”) will be borne by the Company.  These fees and expenses will include without limitation (i) all registration and filing fees (including without limitation fees and expenses (x) with respect to filings required to be made with FINRA and (y) of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including without limitation reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters and selling Holders in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or the selling Holders may designate)), (ii) printing expenses (including without limitation the expenses of printing certificates for securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the selling Holders), (iii) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (iv) reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for all selling Holders collectively (which counsel will be selected by the Holders seeking to be included in the Registration Statement), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 4.1(h)(ii) (including the expenses of any special audit and “comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance) and (vi) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company.  In addition, the Company will pay its internal expenses (including without limitation all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on each securities exchange, if any, on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or are then quoted.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (i) all costs and fees of counsel (except as specifically set forth in Section 4.4(a)) and experts retained by the selling Holders and (ii) all underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities will be borne by the Holder owning such Registrable Securities.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, each selling Holder may have its own separate counsel in connection with the registration of any of its Registrable Securities, which counsel may participate therein to the full extent provided herein; provided, however, that all fees and expenses of such separate counsel will be paid for by such selling Holder.

 

Article V.            Indemnification

 

5.1           Indemnification by the Company.  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder owning Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement, its officers, directors, agents and employees, each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, owners, agents and employees of any such controlling Person, from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or preliminary prospectus (including any term sheet or other information provided to

 

15

 

purchasers at or prior to the time of sale), or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are based solely upon information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein.

 

5.2           Indemnification by Holders.  Each Holder (severally and not jointly) will indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its officers, directors, agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, owners, agents and employees of any such controlling Person, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or preliminary prospectus (including any term sheet or other information provided to purchasers at or prior to the time of sale), or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information so furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Holder to the Company expressly for use in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary prospectus.  In no event will the liability of any Holder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

 

5.3           Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.  If any Person becomes entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party will give prompt notice to the party from which indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) of any claim or of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which the Indemnified Party seeks indemnification or contribution pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligation or liability except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has been prejudiced materially by such failure.  If such an action or proceeding is brought against the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent it may elect by written notice delivered to the Indemnified Party promptly after receiving the notice referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of that counsel will be at the expense of the Indemnified Party unless (i) the employment of the counsel has been authorized in writing by the Indemnifying Party, (ii) the Indemnifying Party has not employed counsel (reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party) to take charge of such action or proceeding within a reasonable time after notice of commencement thereof, or (iii) the Indemnified Party reasonably concludes, based upon the opinion of counsel, that there may be defenses or actions available to it which are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Party which, if the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party were to be represented by the same counsel, could result in a conflict of interest for such counsel or materially prejudice the prosecution of defenses or actions available to the Indemnified Party.  If any of the events specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence are applicable, then the reasonable fees and expenses of separate counsel for the Indemnified Party will be borne by the

 

16

 

Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that in no event will the Indemnifying Party be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm for all Indemnified Parties.  If, in any case, the Indemnified Party employs separate counsel, the Indemnifying Party will not have the right to direct the defense of the action or proceeding on behalf of the Indemnified Party.  All fees and expenses required to be paid to the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article V will be paid periodically during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when reasonably itemized bills therefor are delivered to the Indemnifying Party in respect of any particular Loss that is incurred.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 5.3 to the contrary, an Indemnifying Party will not be liable for the settlement of any action or proceeding effected without its prior written consent.  The Indemnifying Party will not, without the consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld), consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or otherwise seek to terminate any action or proceeding in which any Indemnified Party is or could be a party and as to which indemnification or contribution could be sought by such Indemnified Party under this Article V, unless such judgment, settlement or other termination provides solely for the payment of money and includes as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

 

5.4           Contribution

 

(a)           If the indemnification provided for in this Article V is unavailable to an Indemnified Party under Section 5.1 or 5.2 in respect of any Losses or is insufficient to hold the Indemnified Party harmless, then each applicable Indemnifying Party (severally and not jointly), in lieu of indemnifying the Indemnified Party, will contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Party as a result of the Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party or Indemnifying Parties, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in the Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party or Indemnifying Parties, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other hand, will be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or related to information supplied by, the Indemnifying Party or Indemnifying Parties or the Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses will be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any action or proceeding.

 

(b)           The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 5.4 to the contrary, an Indemnifying Party that is a selling Holder will not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Registrable Securities were sold by the selling Holder to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such selling

 

17

 

Holder has, in the aggregate, otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

Article VI.           Rule 144

 

Upon consummation of a Public Offering, the Company will file all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will cooperate with any Holder to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 (or any successor provision).  Upon the request of any Holder, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such filing requirements.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Article VI will require the Company to register any securities, or file any reports, under the Exchange Act if such registration or filing is not required under the Exchange Act.

 

Article VII.         Participation in Underwritten Offerings

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no Person may participate in any Underwritten Offering pursuant to a registration hereunder unless that Person (a) agrees to sell its securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

Article VIII.        Miscellaneous

 

8.1           Notices.  All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder will be in writing and will be given or made by delivery in person, by overnight courier, by facsimile transmission, by electronic transmission or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 8.1):

 

(a)           If to the Company:

 

Stewart & Stevenson LLC 
 1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 5900
 Houston, Texas 77007
 Facsimile:  713-751-2701
 Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

 

with a copy to:

 

Jones Day
 222 E. 41st Street
 New York, New York 10017

 

18

 

Facsimile:  212-755-7306
 Attention:  William F. Henze

 

(b)           If to a Holder, to such Holder’s address on file with the Company’s transfer agent.

 

All such notices and communications will be deemed to have been delivered or given upon receipt, if delivered personally, by electronic transmission or by overnight courier; when receipt is acknowledged, if sent by facsimile transmission and three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, if mailed.

 

8.2           Confidentiality.  Each Holder will, and will cause its officers, directors, employees, legal counsel, accountants, financial advisors and other representatives to, hold in confidence any material nonpublic information received by them pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation any material nonpublic information included in any Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed with the SEC or provided pursuant to Section 4.1(i).  This Section 8.2 shall not apply to any information which (a) is or becomes generally available to the public, (b) was already in the Holder’s possession from a non-confidential source prior to its disclosure by the Company, or (c) is or becomes available to the Holder on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company, provided that such source is not known by the Holder to be bound by confidentiality obligations.

 

8.3           Assignment.  None of the parties to this Agreement may assign or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of each of the other parties hereto.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Affiliate of a Holder that becomes a record owner of Parman Capital Group Shares or Class B Shares, or of EC Shares, as the case may be, shall become a Holder hereunder upon its delivery to the Company of its executed joinder hereto.

 

8.4           No Third-Party Beneficiaries.  Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or will confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

8.5           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

8.6           Amendment and Waiver.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified or any provision hereof waived except by an instrument in writing signed by all of the parties to this Agreement.

 

8.7           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signature and in any number of counterparts, each such counterpart to be deemed an original and all such counterparts, taken together, to constitute one instrument.

 

19

 

8.8           Severability.  If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable under any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement will nevertheless remain in full force and effect.  Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto will endeavor in good faith to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid, legal and enforceable provisions the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

8.9           Governing Law.  This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws thereof.

 

8.10         Specific Performance.  The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties will be entitled to specify performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity.

 

8.11         Further Assurances.  The parties hereto will do such further acts and things necessary to ensure that the terms of this Agreement are carried out and observed.

 

20

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
STEWART & STEVENSON INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
HOLDERS:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
PARMAN CAPITAL GROUP LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
EC INVESTMENTS B.V.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
FRANK C. CARLUCCI III REVOCABLE TRUST
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
NINA ANSARY
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Nina Ansary

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00191-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00191-of-00352.parquet"}], [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00191-of-00352.parquet"}]]