Document:

Document

Exhibit 10.7

COOPER-STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE INC.
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PAY PLAN
Effective January 1, 2011
(amended and restated as of June 17, 2020)

COOPER-STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE INC.
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PAY PLAN

Table of Contents

Page
						
	1. General Statement of Purpose
	1

	2. Effective and Termination  Dates
	1

	3. Definitions
	1

	4. Eligibility; Termination of Employment.
	5

	5. Severance Pay.
	6

	6. Limitations on Severance Pay and Other Payments or Benefits.
	9

	7. No Mitigation Obligation
	11

	8. Certain Payments not Considered for Other Benefits, etc
	11

	9. Legal Fees and Expenses
	11

	10. Employment Rights
	12

	11. Withholding of Taxes
	12

	12. Successors and Binding Effect.
	12

	13. Governing Law
	13

	14. Validity
	13

	15. Headings
	13

	16. Construction
	13

	17. Administration of the Plan.
	13

	18. Amendment and Termination
	15

	19. Other Plans, etc
	15

	EXHIBIT A  Form of Confidentiality, Non-Compete and Non-Disparagement Agreement
	17

	EXHIBIT B  Form of Release
	21

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COOPER-STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE INC.
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PAY PLAN

1.General Statement of Purpose
.  The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. (the “Company”) has considered the effect the departure of certain executives may have on the Company and such executives, including departures in connection with a change of control of the Company.  The executives have made and are expected to continue to make major contributions to the short-term and long-term profitability, growth and financial strength of the Company.  The Company, recognizing the importance of retaining key executives, desires to assure itself of both the present and future continuity of management, desires to establish certain minimum severance benefits for certain of its executives, and wishes to ensure that its executives are appropriately protected and are not practically disabled from discharging their duties at any time, including in connection with a potential change of control of the Company.
As a result, the Board believes that the Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Plan”) will assist the Company in attracting and retaining qualified executives.
2.Effective Date
.  The “Effective Date” of the Plan is January 1, 2011.  The Plan was most recently amended and restated on June 17, 2020.
3.Definitions
.  Where the following words and phrases appear in the Plan, they shall have the respective meanings set forth below, unless their context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a)“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to an entity, any entity directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such first entity.
(b) “Base Pay” means, with respect to each Executive, the rate of annual base salary, as in effect from time to time.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Executive is terminating employment for Good Reason as a result of a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Pay, then for purposes of Section 5, the term “Base Pay” shall mean such pay as determined prior to such reduction.  
(c)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d)“Cause” means that, prior to any termination of employment pursuant to Section 4(b), that the Executive has:
(i)  willfully failed to perform the Executive’s duties (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness);

(ii)  willfully failed to comply with any valid and legal directive of the Board or the person to whom the Participant reports, where such failure results in harm to the Company or any Affiliate;
(iii)  engaged in dishonesty, illegal conduct or misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty which, in each case, results in harm to the Company or any Affiliate;
(iv)  engaged in embezzlement, misappropriation or fraud, whether or not related to the Executive’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate;
(v)  been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a crime that constitutes a felony (or state law equivalent) or a crime that constitutes a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, if such felony or other crime is work-related, or materially impairs the Participant's ability to perform services for the Company or an Affiliate, or results in reputational or financial harm to the Company or its Affiliates; 
(vi)  violated the Company's or Affiliate’s written policies or codes of conduct which have been provided to (or made available to) the Executive prior to the date of the violation, including but not limited to written policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, and ethical misconduct; 
(vii)  violated any restrictive covenant agreement in effect with the Company or an Affiliate which violation results in harm to the Company or any Affiliate; or 
(viii)  engaged in conduct that brings or is reasonably likely to bring (if it were publicly known) the Company or any Affiliate negative publicity or into public disgrace, embarrassment, or disrepute.
For purposes of this definition, (A) no act or failure to act on the part of the Executive shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company or any Affiliate; (B) “harm” shall mean more than de minimis harm; and (C) with respect to an act or omission subject to clauses (i) or (ii) above, if the underlying act or omission is curable, the Executive’s termination will not be considered to be for “Cause” unless the Board or the Executive’s direct supervisor has notified Executive of such act or omission (which notice must be provided in a manner that enables Executive to effectuate a cure), and the Executive has failed to correct such act or omission within thirty (30) days of such notification (other than by reason of the incapacity of the Executive due to physical or mental illness).  If the Executive’s act or omission could be described in more than one of the clauses above, the Company shall have the discretion to determine which of such clauses (either singly or in combination) shall form the basis for Executive’s termination for Cause. 
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(e)“Change of Control” shall have the meaning given in the Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, or any successor plan thereto.  For clarity, (i) the most recent plan in effect as of the date of determination of whether a Change of Control has occurred shall be the plan whose definition of “Change of Control” governs, and (ii) if the governing plan uses a different term to define a change in the ownership or control of the Company, such term shall be deemed to mean a “Change of Control”.  
(f)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto.  Any reference to a specific provision of the Code shall be deemed to include any successor provision thereto.
(g)“Committee” means the Board or any committee to which the Board delegates duties and powers hereunder.
(h)“CSH” means Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., or any successor thereto. 
(i)“Employee Benefits” means the perquisites, benefits and service credit for benefits as provided under any and all employee retirement income and welfare benefit policies, plans, programs or arrangements in which an Executive is entitled to participate, including without limitation any savings, pension, supplemental executive retirement, or other retirement income or welfare benefit, stock option, performance share, performance unit, stock purchase, stock appreciation, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, group or other life, health, medical/hospital or other insurance (whether funded by actual insurance or self-insured by the Company or an Affiliate), disability, salary continuation, expense reimbursement and other employee benefit policies, plans, programs or arrangements that may now exist or any policies, plans, programs or arrangements that may be adopted hereafter by the Company or its Affiliate.
(j)“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Any reference to a specific provision of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any successor provision thereto.
(k)“Executive” means each Executive Officer and any other employee of the Company duly appointed by the Board as an authorized signatory of CSH and the Company for all purposes.  For clarity, an employee of the Company is appointed by the Board as an authorized signatory of CHS and the Company for a limited purpose, or on a temporary basis, shall not be considered an Executive. 
(l)“Executive Officer” means an employee of the Company who is an “officer” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act or, if at any time the Company does not have a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, an employee of the Company who would be deemed an “officer” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) if the Company had a class of securities so registered, as determined by the Board in its discretion.
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(m)“Good Reason” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s advance written consent, of any of the following during the period of time commencing on the date of the first occurrence of a Change of Control and continuing until the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the occurrence of such Change of Control or (ii) the Executive’s death.:
(i)  (A) a significant adverse change in the nature or scope of the authorities, powers, functions, responsibilities or duties attached to the position with the Company which the Executive held immediately prior to the Change of Control, or (B) a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Pay or opportunities for short-term cash incentive compensation pursuant to any short-term cash incentive compensation plan or program established by the Company other than a reduction which is applied generally to other Executives in a similar manner, any of which is not remedied by the Company within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Company of written notice from the Executive of such change or reduction; or
(ii)  the Company requires the Executive to have Executive’s principal location of work changed to any location that is in excess of 50 miles from the location thereof immediately prior to or after the Change of Control, which requirement is not rescinded by the Company within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Company of written notice from the Executive.  The Executive’s refusal to relocate during the notice and cure period described herein shall not be considered “Cause” by the Company to terminate Executive’s employment.  
Any notification to be given by the Executive in accordance with clauses (i) or (ii) shall specifically identify the change, reduction or requirement to which the notification relates and must be given by the Executive within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the conditions giving rise to such change, reduction or requirement.  Failure of the Executive to timely provide notice to the Company shall be deemed to constitute the Executive’s consent to such change, reduction or requirement and the Executive shall thereafter waive his right to terminate for Good Reason as a result of such specific change, reduction or requirement.  For the Executive to be considered to have terminated for “Good Reason”, the Executive must Separate from Service no later than sixty (60) days following the end of the Company’s cure period.  

(n)“Separation Agreement” means an agreement provided by the Company to the Executive in connection with the Executive’s termination of employment which specifies the Severance Pay due hereunder. 
(o)“Separation from Service” means the date an Executive separates from service from the Company and its Subsidiaries within the meaning of, and applying the default rules of, the regulations promulgated under Code Section 409A.
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(p)“Severance Pay” means the amounts payable and benefits provided as set forth in Section 5(a) or 5(b).
(q) “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities or interests of such corporation or other entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or members of any similar governing body) or in which the Company has the right to receive 50% or more of the distribution of profits or 50% of the assets or liquidation or dissolution.
4.Eligibility; Termination of Employment.
(a)Subject to the limitations described below, all Executives shall be eligible to participate in the Plan immediately upon being appointed an Executive and shall remain covered hereunder for so long as such individual remains in an Executive position; provided, however, that:
(i)If an Executive has an employment or similar agreement that specifically provides for severance benefits, such Executive shall be ineligible hereunder for so long as such agreement is in effect; and
(ii)In the event of a Change of Control arising from a sale of the Company’s assets, the Change of Control provisions of the Plan shall only apply to:  (i) Executives who are employed immediately prior to the date that the Change of Control occurs with the group(s) whose assets being sold result in the Change of Control and (ii) Executives who are employed by the corporate headquarters of the Company immediately prior to the date that such Change of Control occurs and in each case (A) whose positions are transferred to the successor of the group whose assets are being sold, or (B) whose employment is terminated as a result of the Change of Control.
(b)If an Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company and such termination is without Cause, or if an Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Executive will be entitled to the Severance Pay described in Section 5.
(c)A termination pursuant to Subsection (b) will not affect any rights that the Executive may have pursuant to any agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any Affiliate providing Employee Benefits (other than as expressly provided in such agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangements), which rights shall be governed by the terms thereof.
(d)Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section, an Executive will not be entitled to Severance Pay if his employment with the Company is terminated because:
(i)  of the Executive’s death; or
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(ii)  the Executive becomes permanently disabled within the meaning of, and is eligible to receive disability benefits pursuant to, the long-term disability plan as then in effect. 
5.Severance Pay.
(a)Subject to the provisions of this Plan, including but not limited to Section 5(b) and Section 6, if an Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, then the Company will pay or provide to the Executive as Severance Pay the following:
(i)  Cash installment payments, in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll schedule, equal to (x) with respect to the Executive who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, two (2) times the sum of such Executive’s: (A) Base Pay as in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s termination and (B) the target annual cash incentive payment amount under the Executive’s annual cash incentive compensation award for the year in which the Executive’s termination occurs (or, target annual cash incentive compensation for the year prior to the year of termination where the target annual incentive compensation for the current year has not yet been set), payable over two (2) years; (y) with respect to Executives who are Executive Officers, one and a half (1.5) times the sum of such Executive’s: (A) Base Pay as in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s termination and (B) the target annual cash incentive payment amount under the Executive’s annual cash incentive compensation award for the year in which the Executive’s termination occurs (or, target annual cash incentive compensation for the year prior to the year of termination where the target annual incentive compensation for the current year has not yet been set), payable over one and a half (1.5) years; and (z) with respect to all other Executives, one (1) times the sum of such Executive’s (A) Base Pay as in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s termination and (B) the target annual cash incentive payment amount under the Executive’s annual cash incentive compensation award for the year in which the Executive’s termination occurs (or, target annual cash incentive compensation for the year prior to the year of termination where the target annual incentive compensation for the current year has not yet been set), payable over one (1) year.  Except as provided in Section 5(d), payments shall commence thirty (30) days after the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service (or such earlier date as is authorized by the Company to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A), with the initial payment to include any amounts that would have been payable within such period. 
(ii)  A single lump sum cash payment of the pro rata portion of the annual cash incentive compensation award, if any, granted to the Executive for the year in which such termination occurs, determined by multiplying (x) the  payout amount due under the award based on actual performance results for the year, by (y) the percentage of the fiscal year that shall have elapsed through the date of Executive’s termination of employment.  Payment of the prorated annual cash incentive will be made following the end of the performance period and when the payment would have otherwise been made had Executive’s employment not terminated.
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(iii)  For eighteen (18) months (for the Chief Executive Officer and any Executive Officer) and twelve (12) months (for all other Executives) following Executive’s date of termination, provided the Executive timely makes an election to continue health plan coverage pursuant to COBRA, the Company shall charge the Executive only the premiums or contributions being paid during such period by similarly situated active employees for such coverage.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any fully-insured health plan, if the Company determines that the provision of such coverage would be considered discriminatory such that the Company would be subject to an excise tax for providing such coverage, then this provision shall cease to apply as of the date of such determination and the Executive shall be entitled to continue health plan coverage pursuant to the continuation provisions of COBRA.  
(iv)  Outplacement services by a firm selected by the Executive so long as such services are commenced within twelve (12) months following the Executive’s Separation from Service and are completed prior to the end of the second calendar year following the year in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs, at the expense of the Company in a reasonable amount not to exceed the lesser of 15% of the Executive’s Base Pay or $50,000, payable within thirty (30) days after receipt of an invoice from the outplacement firm.
(b)Subject to the provisions of this Plan, including but not limited to Section 6, if during the period of time commencing on the date of the first occurrence of a Change of Control and continuing until the earlier of (A) the second anniversary of the occurrence of such Change of Control or (B) the Executive’s death, the employment of an Executive is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, then, in lieu of the pay and benefits provided in subsection (a), the Company will pay or provide to the Executive as Severance Pay the following:
(i)  A single lump sum cash payment equal to (x) with respect to Executives who are Executive Officers, and the Chief Executive Officer, two (2) times the sum of such Executive’s: (A) Base Pay as in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s termination, or if higher, as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control; and (B) the higher of (i) the target annual cash incentive payment amount under the Executive’s annual cash incentive compensation award for the year in which the Executive’s termination occurs (or, target annual cash incentive compensation for the year prior to the year of termination where the target annual incentive compensation for the current year has not yet been set or where a reduction in the target annual incentive opportunity was the trigger for a Good Reason termination) or (ii) the target annual cash incentive payment amount under the Executive’s annual cash incentive compensation award for the year preceding the year in which the Change of Control occurs; and (y) with respect to all other Executives, one and a half (1.5) times the sum of such Executive’s (A) Base Pay as in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination, or if higher, as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control; and (B)the higher of (i)  the target annual cash incentive payment amount under the Executive’s annual cash incentive compensation award for the year in which the Executive’s termination occurs (or, target annual incentive compensation for the year prior to the year of termination where the target annual incentive compensation for the current year has not yet been set or where a reduction in the target annual incentive opportunity was the trigger for a Good Reason termination) or (ii) the target annual cash incentive payment amount under the 
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Executive’s annual cash incentive compensation award for the year preceding the year in which the Change of Control occurs.  Except as provided in Section 5(d), payment of the lump sum shall be made thirty (30) days after the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service (or such earlier date as is authorized by the Company to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A). 
(ii)  A single lump sum cash payment of the pro rata portion of the annual cash incentive compensation award, if any, granted to the Executive for the year in which the Executive’s termination occurs, determined by multiplying (x) the target payout amount due under the award, by (y) the percentage of the fiscal year that shall have elapsed through the date of Executive’s termination of employment, provided that if the Executive’s termination occurs in the same year as the Change of Control, then the amount due under this clause (ii) shall be reduced by any portion of such award that was paid upon the Change of Control.  Except as provided in Section 5(d), payment of the lump sum shall be made thirty (30) days after the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service (or such earlier date as is authorized by the Company to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A).
(iii)  For eighteen (18) months following Executive’s date of termination, provided the Executive timely makes an election to continue health plan coverage pursuant to COBRA, the Company shall charge the Executive only the premiums or contributions being paid during such period by similarly situated active employees for such coverage.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any fully-insured health plan, if the Company determines that the provision of such coverage would be considered discriminatory such that the Company would be subject to an excise tax for providing such coverage, then this provision shall cease to apply as of the date of such determination and the Executive shall be entitled to continue health plan coverage pursuant to the continuation provisions of COBRA.  
(iv)  Outplacement services by a firm selected by the Executive so long as such services are commenced within twelve (12) months following the Executive’s Separation from Service and are completed prior to the end of the second calendar year following the year in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs, at the expense of the Company in a reasonable amount not to exceed the lesser of 15% of the Executive’s Base Pay or $50,000, payable within thirty (30) days after receipt of an invoice from the outplacement firm.
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(c)The Company’s obligation to provide, and the Executive’s right to receive the Severance Pay under Sections 5(a) or 5(b) are conditioned on the execution by the Executive (and failure to revoke, if applicable) and delivery to the Company of the confidentiality, non-compete and non-disparagement agreement provided by the Company to the Executive, which shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and the release provided by the Company to the Executive, which shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto, and the Separation Agreement (if any) no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the Executive’s termination of employment.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company may revise the form of agreements set forth in Exhibit A or Exhibit B at the time of an Executive’s termination to reflect changes in the law or best practices related to such agreements.  If the Executive fails to execute (or executes and then revokes, if applicable) any of the agreements described herein within such thirty (30) day period, then the Company shall have no obligation to provide the Severance Pay.
(d)Notwithstanding the timing of payments set forth in this Section 5, if the Company determines that the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A on the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service, then the payments due under Sections 5(a)(i), and 5(b)(i) and (ii), and any other payment, in each case, that the Company determines is not exempt from Code Section 409A, to the extent due within the first six (6) months following the Executive’s Separation from Service, will be delayed (without any reduction in such payments or benefits ultimately paid or provided to Executive and without earnings or interest) and will be paid (or commence, as applicable) one day and six (6) months following the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service, with the initial payment to include any amounts that would have been payable within such period. For purposes of Code Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Plan shall be treated as a separate payment.  As a result, unless otherwise required by law, the six (6) month delay shall not apply to: (i) any lump sum payments that are paid by March 15 of the calendar year following the year in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs, (ii) any installments payments that are paid by March 15 of the calendar year following the year in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs, and (iii) any installment payments paid after such March 15th and prior to the six (6)-month anniversary of the Executive’s Separation from Service that are less than the Exempt Amount.  For purposes hereof, the “Exempt Amount” is two times the lesser of the Code Section 401(a)(17) limit in effect at the time of the Executive’s Separation from Service or two times the Executive’s annualized rate of pay for the year preceding the year of the Executive’s Separation from Service.
(e)Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the rights and obligations under this Section and under Sections 6 and 9 will survive any termination or expiration of the Plan or the termination of an Executive’s employment for any reason whatsoever.
6.Limitations on Severance Pay and Other Payments or Benefits.
(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, if any portion of the Severance Pay or any other payment under this Plan, or under any other agreement with the Executive or plan of the Company or its Affiliates (in the aggregate, “Total Payments”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment” and would, but for this Section 6(a), result in the imposition on the 
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Executive of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Total Payments to be made to the Executive shall either be (i) delivered in full, or (ii) delivered in such amount so that no portion of such Total Payments would be subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing results in the receipt by the Executive of the greatest benefit on an after-tax basis (taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax).  
(b)Within forty (40) days following a termination of employment or notice by one party to the other of its belief that there is a payment or benefit due the Executive that will result in an excess parachute payment, the Executive and the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall obtain the opinion (which need not be unqualified) of nationally recognized tax counsel (“National Tax Counsel”) selected by the Company’s independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to the Executive (which may be regular outside counsel to the Company), which opinion sets forth (i) the amount of the Base Period Income (as defined below), (ii) the amount and present value of the Total Payments, (iii) the amount and present value of any excess parachute payments determined without regard to any reduction of Total Payments pursuant to Section 6(a)(ii) and (iv) the net after-tax proceeds to the Executive, taking into account the tax imposed under Code Section 4999 if (x) the Total Payments were reduced in accordance with Section 6(a)(ii) or (y) the Total Payments were not so reduced.  The opinion of National Tax Counsel shall be addressed to the Company and the Executive and shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.  If such National Tax Counsel opinion determines that Section 6(a)(ii) above applies, then the Severance Pay hereunder or any other payment or benefit determined by such counsel to be includable in Total Payments shall be reduced or eliminated so that under the bases of calculations set forth in such opinion there will be no excess parachute payment.  In such event, payments or benefits included in the Total Payments shall be reduced or eliminated by applying the following principles, in order: (1) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (2) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (3) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Section 409A of the Code, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payments or benefits included in the Severance Pay (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments).
(c)For purposes of this Plan:  (i) the terms “excess parachute payment” and “parachute payments” shall have the meanings assigned to them in Section 280G of the Code and such “parachute payments” shall be valued as provided therein; (ii) present value shall be calculated in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code; (iii) the term “Base Period Income” means an amount equal to the Executive’s “annualized includible compensation for the base period” as defined in Section 280G(d)(1); (iv) for purposes of the opinion of National Tax Counsel, the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Company’s independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Section 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code, which determination shall be evidenced in a certificate of such auditors addressed to the Company and the Executive; and (v) the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income tax and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state or locality of the Executive’s domicile (determined in both cases in the calendar year in which the termination of employment or notice described in Section 6(b) is given, whichever is earlier), net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that may be obtained from the deduction of such state and local taxes.  
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(d)If such National Tax Counsel so requests in connection with the opinion required by this Section 6, then the Executive and the Company shall obtain, at the Company’s expense, and the National Tax Counsel may rely on, the advice of a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants as to the reasonableness of any item of compensation to be received by the Executive solely with respect to its status under Section 280G of the Code.
(e)The Company agrees to bear all costs associated with, and to indemnify and hold harmless, the National Tax Counsel of and from any and all claims, damages, and expenses resulting from or relating to its determinations pursuant to this Section 6, except for claims, damages or expenses resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such firm.
(f)This Section 6 shall be amended to comply with any amendment or successor provision to Sections 280G or 4999 of the Code.  If such provisions are repealed without successor, then this Section 6 shall be cancelled without further effect.
7.No Mitigation Obligation
.  The Company hereby acknowledges that it will be difficult and may be impossible for an Executive to find reasonably comparable employment following Executive’s termination of employment with the Company and that the non-competition agreement required by Section 5(c) will further limit the employment opportunities for Executive.  Accordingly, the provision of Severance Pay by the Company to an Executive in accordance with the terms of the Plan is hereby acknowledged by the Company to be reasonable, and an Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in the Plan by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor will any profits, income, earnings or other benefits from any source whatsoever create any mitigation, offset, reduction or any other obligation on the part of an Executive hereunder or otherwise.
8.Certain Payments not Considered for Other Benefits, etc
.  The legal fee and expense reimbursement provided under Section 9 and reimbursements for outplacement counseling provided under Section 5 will not be included as earnings for the purpose of calculating contributions or benefits under any employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate.
9.Legal Fees and Expenses
.  Following a Change of Control, it is the intent of the Company that each Executive not be required to incur legal fees and the related expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Executive’s rights under the Plan by litigation or otherwise (including making a claim pursuant to the provisions of Section 17(d)) because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to each Executive hereunder.  Accordingly, if it should appear to an Executive that the Company has failed to comply with any of its obligations under the Plan following a Change of Control or in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare the Plan void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Executive the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Executive hereunder, in each case, following a Change of Control, then the Company irrevocably authorizes the Executive from time to time to retain counsel of Executive’s choice, at the expense of the Company as hereafter provided, to advise and represent the Executive in connection with any such interpretation, enforcement or defense.  Notwithstanding any existing or prior attorney-client relationship between the Company and such counsel, the Company irrevocably consents to the Executive’s entering into an attorney-client relationship with such counsel, and in that connection the Company and the 
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Executive agree that a confidential relationship will exist between the Executive and such counsel.  Without respect to whether the Executive prevails, in whole or in part, in connection with any of the foregoing, the Company will pay and be solely financially responsible for any and all attorneys’ and related fees and expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that, in regard to such matters, the Executive has not acted in bad faith or with no colorable claim of success.  The Company shall promptly pay the fees incurred, upon receipt of proper documentation thereof, and in no event shall payment be made later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such fees were incurred.
10.Employment Rights
.  Nothing expressed or implied in the Plan shall create any right or duty on the part of the Company or an Executive to have the Executive remain in the employment of the Company at any time prior to or following a Change of Control.   Each Executive covered by this Plan expressly acknowledges that Executive is an employee at will.
11.Withholding of Taxes
.  The Company or its Affiliate may withhold from any amounts payable under the Plan all federal, state, city or other taxes as shall be required pursuant to any law or government regulation or ruling.
12.Successors and Binding Effect.
(a)The Company will require any successor (including, without limitation, any persons acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise, and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the Company for the purposes of the Plan), to expressly or by operation of law assume and agree to perform the obligations under the Plan in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place; provided that the assignment of this Plan shall not affect whether a Change of Control has occurred.  The Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor to the Company, but shall not otherwise be assignable, transferable or delegable by the Company.
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(b)The rights under the Plan shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees and/or legatees.
(c)The rights under the Plan are personal in nature and neither the Company nor any Executive shall, without the consent of the other, assign, transfer or delegate the Plan or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in this Section.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Executive’s right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable, transferable or delegable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than by a transfer by Executive’s will or by the laws of descent and distribution and, in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this Section, the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned, transferred or delegated.  If Executive dies after accruing a right to Severance Pay (e.g., dies after a termination of employment for which Severance Pay is due) but before such Severance Pay is paid or provided in full, then the Severance Pay that has not yet been paid or provided as of the date of the Executive’s death shall be paid to Executive’s estate at the same time as such Severance Pay would have been provided had Executive survived to receive all amounts due hereunder.  
(d)The obligation of the Company to make payments and/or provide benefits hereunder shall represent an unsecured obligation of the Company.
(e)The Company recognizes that each Executive will have no adequate remedy at law for breach by the Company of any of the agreements contained herein and, in the event of any such breach, the Company hereby agrees and consents that each Executive shall be entitled to a decree of specific performance, mandamus or other appropriate remedy to enforce performance of obligations of the Company under the Plan.
13.Governing Law
.  All matters affecting this Plan, including the validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such State.
14.Validity
.  If any provisions of the Plan or the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal, the remainder of the Plan and the application of such provision to any other person or circumstances shall not be affected, and the provision so held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal shall be reformed to the extent (and only to the extent) necessary to make it enforceable, valid and legal.
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15.Headings
.  The headings in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and do not define, limit or describe the scope or intent of the Plan or any part hereof and shall not be considered in any construction hereof.
16.Construction
.  The masculine gender, where appearing in the Plan, shall be deemed to include the feminine gender and the singular shall be deemed to include the plural, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
17.Administration of the Plan.
(a)In General:  The Plan shall be administered by the Company, which shall be the named fiduciary under the Plan.
(b)Delegation of Duties:  The Company may delegate any of its administrative duties, including, without limitation, duties with respect to the processing, review, investigation, approval and payment of Severance Pay, to named administrator or administrators.
(c)Regulations:  The Company shall promulgate any rules and regulations it deems necessary in order to carry out the purposes of the Plan or to interpret the terms and conditions of the Plan; provided, however, that no rule, regulation or interpretation shall be contrary to the provisions of the Plan.
(d)Claims Procedure:  The Company shall determine the rights of any employee of the Company to any Severance Pay hereunder.  Any employee or former employee of the Company who believes that benefits are due to such individual under the Plan which have not been paid, may file a claim in writing with the chief legal officer of the Company (or the Secretary, in the case the Executive is the chief legal officer) within 180 days of the date such payment hereunder would have been paid had it been due.  The Company shall, no later than ninety (90) days after the receipt of a claim, either allow or deny the claim by written notice to the claimant.  If a claimant does not receive written notice of the Company’s decision on his claim within such ninety (90)-day period, the claim shall be deemed to have been denied in full.
A denial of a claim by the Company, wholly or partially, shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and shall include:
(i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial;
(ii)  specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
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(iii)  a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
(iv)  an explanation of the claim review procedure, including the claimant’s right to bring a suit for benefits under ERISA section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination upon review.
A claimant whose claim is denied (or such claimant’s duly authorized representative) may, within thirty (30) days after receipt of denial of his claim, request a review of such denial by the Company by filing with the Secretary of the Company (or the chief legal officer, in the case the Executive is the Secretary) a written request for review of such claim.  If the claimant does not file a request for review with the Company within such 30-day period, the claimant shall be deemed to have acquiesced in the original decision of the Company on the claim.  If a written request for review is so filed within such 30-day period, the Company shall conduct a full and fair review of such claim.
During such full review, the claimant shall be given the opportunity to review documents that are pertinent to claimant’s claim and to submit issues and comments in writing.  The Company shall notify the claimant of its decision on review within sixty (60) days after receipt of a request for review.  Notice of the decision on review shall be in writing.  If the decision on review is not furnished to the claimant within such 60-day period, the claim shall be deemed to have been denied on review.
(e)Requirement of Receipt.  Upon receipt of any Severance Pay hereunder, the Company reserves the right to require any Executive to execute a receipt evidencing the amount and payment of such Severance Pay.
18.Amendment and Termination
.  Prior to a Change of Control, the Company reserves the right, except as hereinafter provided, at any time and from time to time, to amend, modify, or terminate the Plan, including any Exhibit thereto; provided, however, that any such amendment, modification, or termination that adversely affects the rights of any Executive under the Plan shall not be effective until the one-year anniversary of such amendment, modification or termination without the written consent of any such Executive.  After a Change of Control, no amendment, modification or termination that adversely affects the rights of any Executive under the Plan in the event of a Change of Control may take effect prior to the second anniversary of the Change of Control without the written consent of any such Executive.  Any amendment, modification or termination of the Plan shall not affect any obligation of the Company under the Plan, which has accrued and is unpaid as of the effective date of such amendment, modification or termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may amend the Plan as necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code without obtaining the consent of an Executive.  
19.Other Plans, etc
.  If the terms of this Plan are inconsistent with the provisions of any other plan, program, contract or arrangement of the Company, to the extent such plan, program, contract or arrangement may be amended 
15

by the Company, the terms of the Plan will be deemed to so amend such plan, program, contract or arrangement, and the terms of the Plan will govern.
16

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. has caused the Plan to be executed as of the 17th day of June, 2020.
       COOPER-STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE INC.

By:  /s/ Larry E. Ott                                       
             
Its:  Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

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 EXHIBIT A
Form of Confidentiality, Non-Compete and Non-Disparagement Agreement

WHEREAS, the Executive’s employment has been terminated in accordance with Section 4(b) of the Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Plan”) (capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings specified in the Plan); and

WHEREAS, the Executive is required to sign this Confidentiality, Non-Compete and Non-Disparagement Agreement (“Agreement”) in order to receive the Severance Pay under the Plan and the Separation Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Executive agrees as follows:
1. Effective Date of Agreement.  This Agreement is effective on the date hereof and will continue in effect as provided herein.
2. Confidentiality; Confidential Information; Assignment of Inventions. In consideration of the payments to be made and the benefits to be received by the Executive pursuant to the Plan:
a.Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the performance of Executive’s duties as an employee of the Company or its Affiliates, Executive was brought into frequent contact with, had access to, and became informed of confidential and proprietary information of the Company and its Affiliates and/or information which is a trade secret of the Company and/or its affiliates (collectively, “Confidential Information”), as more fully described in paragraph (b) of this Section.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information of the Company and its Affiliates gained by Executive during Executive’s association with the Company and its Affiliates was, is and will be developed by and/or for the Company and its Affiliates through substantial expenditure of time, effort and money and constitutes valuable and unique property of the Company and its Affiliates.
b.Subject to subsections (d) and (e), the Executive will keep in strict confidence, and will not, directly or indirectly, at any time, disclose, furnish, disseminate, make available, use or suffer to be used in any manner any Confidential Information of the Company or its Affiliates without limitation as to when or how the Executive may have acquired such Confidential Information.  The Executive specifically acknowledges that Confidential Information includes any and all information, whether reduced to writing (or in a form from which information can be obtained, translated, or derived into reasonably usable form), or maintained in the mind or memory of the Executive and whether compiled or created by the Company or its Affiliates, which derives independent economic value from not being readily known to or ascertainable by proper means by others who can obtain economic value from the disclosure or use of such information, that reasonable efforts have been put forth by the Company and its Affiliates to maintain the secrecy of Confidential Information, that such Confidential Information is and will remain the sole property of the Company and its Affiliates, and that any retention (in tangible form) or use by the Executive of Confidential Information after the termination of the Executive’s employment with and services for the Company and its Affiliates shall constitute a 
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misappropriation of the Company’s Confidential Information, except as provided by subsection (e).
c.Except as otherwise provided in the Separation Agreement,  the Executive further agrees that Executive shall return, within ten (10) days of the effective date of Executive’s termination as an employee of the Company and its Affiliates, in good condition, all property of the Company and its Affiliates then in Executive’s possession, including, without limitation, whether in hard copy or in any other media (i) property, documents and/or all other materials (including copies, reproductions, summaries and/or analyses) which constitute, refer or relate to Confidential Information of the Company or its Affiliates, (ii) keys to property of the Company or its Affiliates, (iii) files and (iv) blueprints or other drawings.
d.The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s obligation of confidentiality shall survive until and unless such Confidential Information of the Company or its Affiliates shall have become, through no fault of the Executive, generally known to the industry or the Executive is required by law (after providing the Company with notice and opportunity to contest such requirement) to make disclosure.  The Executive’s obligations under this Section are in addition to, and not in limitation or preemption of, all other obligations of confidentiality which the Executive may have to the Company and its Affiliates under general legal or equitable principles or statutes.
e.Nothing herein shall prohibit the Executive from reporting or otherwise disclosing possible violations of state, local or federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or making other disclosures that, in each case, are protected under whistleblower provisions of local, state or federal law or regulation. Nothing herein is intended to discourage or restrict the Executive from reporting any theft of trade secrets pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 or other applicable state or federal law. 
f.The Executive agrees and hereby assign to the Company all of Executive’s right, title and interest in any inventions, improvements, discoveries, operating techniques or “know-how,” whether patentable or not (“Inventions”) which relate to, or are useful in connection with, an aspect of the business as carried on or contemplated at the time the Invention was made, whether or not Executive’s duties directly related thereto, and the Company shall be the sole and absolute owner of any of the Inventions so assigned.  The Executive agrees to perform any further acts or execute any papers at the expense of the Company which it may consider necessary to secure for the Company or its successors or assigns any and all rights relating to the Inventions, including patents in the United States and foreign countries. 
3. Non-Disparagement.  The Executive agrees that Executive will not take any action to disparage or criticize the Company or its Affiliates or their respective employees, officers, directors, owners or customers or to engage in any other action that injures or hinders the business relationships of the Company or its Affiliates.  Nothing contained in this Section 3 shall preclude the Executive from enforcing Executive’s rights under the Plan or complying with applicable law. 
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        4. Non-Compete.  The Executive agrees that Executive will not, for a period of [insert severance period, e.g. two (2) years if two (2) times Base Pay is being paid] following Executive’s termination with the Company and its Affiliates, engage in Competitive Activity.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Competitive Activity” means the Executive’s participation, without the written consent of the Chief Executive Officer (except where the Executive holds such position, in which case the Board shall be required to provide such written consent), if any, of the Company, in the management of any business enterprise if such enterprise engages in substantial and direct competition with the Company or any its Affiliates and such enterprise’s sales of any product or service competitive with any product or service of the Company or its Affiliates amounted to 5% of such enterprise’s net sales for its most recently completed fiscal year and if the Company’s net sales of said product or service amounted to 5% of, as applicable, the Company’s or its Affiliate’s net sales for its most recently completed fiscal year.  “Competitive Activity” will not include (i) the mere ownership of 5% or more of securities in any such enterprise and the exercise of rights appurtenant thereto or (ii) participation in the management of any such enterprise other than in connection with the competitive operations of such enterprise.

5. Nonsolicitation.  The Executive further agrees that Executive will not, directly or indirectly, for a period of [insert severance period, e.g. two (2) years if two (2) times Base Pay is being paid] following Executive’s termination with the Company and its Affiliates:
(a)induce or attempt to induce customers, business relations or accounts of the Company or any of its Affiliates to relinquish their contracts or relationships with the Company or any of its Affiliates; or
(b)solicit, entice, assist or induce other employees, agents or independent contractors to leave the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates or to terminate their engagements with the Company and/or any of its Affiliates or assist any competitors of the Company or any of its Affiliates in securing the services of such employees, agents or independent contractors.
6.  Remedies; Tolling; Reasonableness.  The Executive agrees that the Company or its Affiliates would be irreparably harmed if Executive violated any provision of Sections 2 through 5 of this Agreement. Therefore, in addition to any other remedy which the Company may have, the Company shall be entitled to immediate injunctive relief, including the issuance of a temporary injunction to remedy or forestall any breach or threatened breach of Sections 2 through 5 of this Agreement.  The restrictive period shall be tolled during any time that Executive is in breach of Executive’s obligations under Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement.
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Executive agrees that the covenants in Sections 2, 4 and 5 are reasonable with respect to their scope.  It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of Sections 2, 4 and 5 shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular portion of Sections 2, 4 or 5 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, then each of Sections 2, 4 and 5 shall be deemed amended to delete therefrom the portion thus adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such deletion to apply only with respect to the operation of Sections 2, 4 and 5 in the particular jurisdiction in which adjudication is made. If the provisions of Sections 2, 4 or 5 should ever be deemed to exceed limitations permitted by the laws of a particular state with respect to the operation of the limitation in the particular jurisdiction in which the adjudication is made, each of Sections 2, 4 and 5 shall be deemed amended to reduce or delete the portion deemed to exceed such limitation.

7. Cessation of Severance Payments.  Executive agrees that all severance payments and benefits under the Separation Agreement will immediately cease in the event that Executive violates any of the provisions of Sections 2, 4 and 5 of this Agreement as determined by the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has executed and delivered this Agreement on the date set forth below.
Dated:             
               [                            ]
               Executive

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EXHIBIT B

Form of Release

WHEREAS, the Executive’s employment has been terminated in accordance with Section 4(b) of the Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Plan”) (capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings specified in the Plan); and

WHEREAS, the Executive is required to sign this Release in order to receive the Severance Pay under the Plan.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Executive agrees as follows:
1. This Release is effective on the date hereof and will continue in effect as provided herein.
2. In consideration of the payments to be made and the benefits to be received by the Executive pursuant to the Plan, which the Executive acknowledges are in addition to payments and benefits which the Executive would be entitled to receive absent the Plan, the Executive, for Executive and Executive’s dependents, successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators (and Executive’s and their legal representatives of every kind), hereby releases, dismisses, remises and forever discharges Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. (“Cooper”), its predecessors, parents, subsidiaries, divisions, related or Affiliated companies (collectively, the “Company”), officers, directors, stockholders, members, employees, heirs, successors, assigns, representatives, agents and counsel (collectively with Cooper and the Company, the “Company Released Parties”) from any and all arbitrations, claims, including claims for attorney’s fees, demands, damages, suits, proceedings, actions and/or causes of action of any kind and every description, whether known or unknown, which Executive now has or may have had for, upon, or by reason of any cause whatsoever (“claims”), against the Company Released Parties, including but not limited to:
a.any and all claims arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment by or service with the Company and Executive’s termination from the Company;
b.any and all claims of discrimination, including but not limited to claims of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, age, national origin, marital status, religion or handicap, including, specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, the Michigan Handicappers’ Civil Rights Act, the Michigan Wage Payment Act (MCLA Section 408.471), the Polygraph Protection Act of 1981, the Michigan Whistleblower’s Protection Act (MCLA Section 15.361), the common law of the State of Michigan, and any other applicable state statutes and regulations; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to claims to enforce rights that Executive may have as of the date hereof or in the future with respect to any Employee Benefits, under any indemnification agreement between the Executive and Cooper, under Cooper’s indemnification by-laws, under the directors’ and officers’ liability coverage maintained by Cooper, under the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or that Executive may have in the future under the Plan or under this Release; and
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c.any and all claims of wrongful or unjust discharge or breach of any contract or promise, express or implied.
3. Executive understands and acknowledges that the Company does not admit any violation of law, liability or invasion of any of Executive’s rights and that any such violation, liability or invasion is expressly denied.  The consideration provided for this Release is made for the purpose of settling and extinguishing all claims and rights (and every other similar or dissimilar matter) that Executive ever had or now may have against the Company to the extent provided in this Release.  Executive further agrees and acknowledges that no representations, promises or inducements have been made by the Company other than as appear in the Plan.
4. Executive further agrees and acknowledges that:
a.The release provided for herein releases claims to and including the date of this Release;
b.Executive has been advised by the Company to consult with legal counsel prior to executing this Release, has had an opportunity to consult with and to be advised by legal counsel of Executive’s choice, fully understands the terms of this Release, and enters into this Release freely, voluntarily and intending to be bound;
c.Executive has been given a period of 21 days to review and consider the terms of this Release prior to its execution and that Executive may use as much of the 21 day period as Executive desires.  Executive further certifies that if Executive signs this Agreement prior to the expiration of 21 days following its receipt by Executive, Executive does so knowingly and voluntarily, waiving any right to consideration of the Agreement for the remaining portion of the 21 day period; and
d.Executive may, within 7 days after execution, revoke this Release.  Revocation shall be made by delivering a written notice of revocation to the Chief Legal Officer of the Company.  For such revocation to be effective, written notice must be actually received by the Chief Legal Officer of the Company (or any successor thereto) no later than the close of business on the 7th day after Executive executes this Release.  If Executive does exercise Executive’s right to revoke this Release, all of the terms and conditions of the Release shall be of no force and effect and the Company shall not have any obligation to make payments or provide benefits to Executive as set forth in the Plan and Separation Agreement.
5. Executive agrees that Executive will never file a lawsuit or other complaint, except as stated below, asserting any claim that is released in this Release.  Nothing in this Agreement, prevents Executive from filing a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other administrative agency if applicable law requires Executive be permitted to do so.  However, this Agreement does prevent Executive from obtaining any monetary or any other personal relief of any kind based on: (a) a charge filed with the EEOC or any state or local EEO agency; (b) any lawsuit arising from such charge with the EEOC or any state or local EEO agency; or (c) any actions by Executive in cooperating with or providing information to the EEOC or any state or local EEO agency.
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6. Executive waives and releases any claim that Executive has or may have to reemployment after the date of this Release.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has executed and delivered this Release on the date set forth below.
Dated:              
               [                                   ]
               Executive

24staa-ex42_12.htm

Exhibit 4.2

 

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY
AMENDED AND RESTATED OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

ARTICLE 1.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the STAAR Surgical Company Amended and Restated Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (as it may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Plan”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of STAAR Surgical Company (the “Company”) by linking the individual interests of the members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants to those of Company stockholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s operation is largely dependent.  This Plan constitutes an amendment and restatement of the STAAR Surgical Company Amended and Restated 2003 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Original Plan”), which was last approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 14, 2018.

ARTICLE 2.

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.

2.1“Administrator” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article 12. With reference to the duties of the Committee under the Plan which have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 12.7, or as to which the Board has assumed, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.

2.2“Applicable Accounting Standards” shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company’s financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.

2.3“Applicable Law” shall mean any applicable law, including without limitation: (a) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (c) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. 

 

 

2.4“Award” shall mean an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Stock award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, an Other Stock or Cash Based Award or a Dividend Equivalent award, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan.

2.5“Award Agreement” shall mean any written notice, agreement, terms and conditions, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine consistent with the Plan.

2.6“Award Limit” shall mean with respect to Awards that shall be payable in Shares or in cash, as the case may be, the respective limit set forth in Section 3.2. 

2.7“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.8“Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one (or more) of the following events:  

(a)Any person, including a group as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becomes the beneficial owner of stock of the Company with respect to which fifty percent (50%) or more of the total number of votes for the election of the Board may be cast;

(b)The Incumbent Directors cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board;

(c)The Company consummates an agreement providing either for a transaction in which the Company will cease to be an independent publicly owned corporation or for a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company; or

(d)An acquisition in a single or series of related transactions, including without limitation a tender offer or exchange offer, by any person or related group of persons (other than the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following transactions shall not constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan: (i) any acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (ii) any transaction (x) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction; (y) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity, provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (y) as beneficially owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction and (z) any transaction after which 

 

 

at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Successor Entity were Board members at the time of the Board's approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such transaction.

Further notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or any portion of an Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

2.9“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of any Award.

2.10 “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board described in Article 12 hereof.

2.11“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

2.12“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1.

2.13“Consultant” shall mean any consultant or adviser engaged to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement.

2.14“Covered Employee” shall mean any Employee who is, or could become, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

2.15“Director” shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.

2.16“Director Limit” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.

2.17“Dividend Equivalent” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 10.2.

2.18“DRO” shall mean a “domestic relations order” as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder. 

2.19“Effective Date” shall mean the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.

 

 

2.20“Eligible Individual” shall mean any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Administrator.

2.21“Employee” shall mean any officer or other employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) of the Company or of any Subsidiary.

2.22“Equity Restructuring” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per-share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.

2.23“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

2.24“Expiration Date” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 13.1(c).

2.25“Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any given date, the value of a Share determined as follows:

(a)If the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Capital Market, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(b)If the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

(c)If the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.

2.26“Full Value Award” shall mean any Award granted under the Plan other than an Option or a Share Appreciation Right and that is settled by the issuance of Shares.

2.27 “Greater Than 10% Stockholder” shall mean an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of 

 

 

all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) or parent corporation thereof (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code).

2.28“Holder” shall mean a person who has been granted an Award.

2.29“Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

2.30“Incumbent Directors” shall mean for any period of 12 consecutive months, commencing with this Plan’s Effective Date, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new Director(s) (other than a Director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 2.8(a), (c) or (d) whose election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for Director without objection to such nomination) of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the 12-month period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved.  No individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be an Incumbent Director.

2.31“Non-Employee Director” shall mean a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.

2.32 “Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

2.33“Option” shall mean a right to purchase Shares at a specified exercise price, granted under Article 6. An Option shall be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that Options granted to Non-Employee Directors and Consultants shall only be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

2.34“Option Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.

2.35“Organizational Documents” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Company’s articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar organizational documents relating to the creation and governance of the Company, and (b) the Committee’s charter or other similar organizational documentation relating to the creation and governance of the Committee.

2.36“Original Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1.

2.37“Other Stock or Cash Based Award” shall mean a cash payment, cash bonus award, stock payment, stock bonus award, performance award or incentive award that is paid in cash, Shares or a combination of both, awarded under Section 10.1, which may include, without limitation, deferred stock, deferred stock units, performance awards, retainers, committee fees, and meeting-based fees.

 

 

2.38“Performance-Based Compensation” shall mean any compensation that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

2.39“Performance Criteria” shall mean the criteria (and adjustments) that the Administrator selects for an Award for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Performance Period, determined as follows: 

(a)The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: (i) revenue, (ii) earnings, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, (iii) earnings per share, (iv) stock price, (v) operating cash flow, (vi) net income, (vii) profit margins, operating margins, gross margins or cash margins, (viii) revenue growth, (ix) pre- or after-tax income (before or after allocations of corporate overhead and bonuses), (x) return on equity, (xi) total shareholder return, (xii) return on assets or net assets, (xiii) appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of the Common Stock, (xiv) market share, (xv) gross profits, (xvi) economic value-added models or equivalent metrics, (xvii) comparisons with various stock market indices, (xviii) reductions in costs, (xix) cash flow or cash flow per share, (xx) return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital), (xxi) cash flow return on investment, (xxii) improvement in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels, (xxiii) year-end cash, (xxiv) debt reductions, (xxv) stockholder equity, (xxvi) regulatory or litigation achievements, (xxvii) implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to business development, new products or services, budgets, regulatory or business risks, acquisitions, divestitures or recruiting and maintaining personnel, (xxviii) earnings, (xxix) expenses, (xxx) cost of goods sold, (xxxi) working capital, (xxxii) price/earnings ratio, (xxxiii) debt or debt-to-equity, (xxxiv) accounts receivable, (xxxv) writeoffs, (xxxvi) assets, (xxxvii) liquidity, (xxxviii) operations, (xxxix) research or related milestones, (xl) intellectual property (e.g., patents), (xli) product development, (xlii) information technology, (xliii) financings, (xliv) product quality control, (xlv) management, (xlvi) human resources, (xlvii) corporate governance, (xlviii) compliance program, (xlix) internal controls, (xlxi) policies and procedures, (xlxii) accounting and reporting, (xlxiii) strategic alliances, (xlxiv) licensing and partnering, (xlxv) site, plant or building development, (xlxvi) business initiatives; (xlxviii) investments, and/or (xlxviii) any combination of the foregoing, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms, or changes in growth or reduction, or as compared to any increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or index. Such Performance Goals also may be based solely by reference to the Company’s performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business segment or business unit of the Company, or based upon the relative performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to other companies. 

(b)The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide that one or more objectively determinable adjustments shall be made to one or more of the Performance Goals. Such adjustments may include one or more of the following: (i) items related to a change in or provisions under tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results; (ii) items relating to financing activities; (iii) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; (iv) other non-operating items; (v) items related to reorganizations or restructuring programs or divestitures or acquisitions; (vi) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the Performance Period; (vii) items related to asset write-

 

 

downs or the disposal of a business or segment of a business; (viii) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; (ix) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares occurring during the Performance Period; (x) any other items of significant income or expense which are determined to be appropriate adjustments; (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments, (xii) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (xiii) items that are outside the scope of the Company's core, on-going business activities; (xiv) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable laws, accounting principles or business conditions and/or items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence; (xv) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (xvi) items related to acquired in-process research and development; (xvii) items relating to changes in tax laws; (xviii) items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; (xix) items relating to asset impairment charges; (xx) items attributable to expenses incurred in connection with a reduction in force or early retirement initiative; or (xxi) items relating to foreign exchange or currency transactions and/or fluctuations. For all Awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation, such determinations shall be made within the time prescribed by, and otherwise in compliance with, Section 162(m) of the Code.

2.40“Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, one or more goals established in writing by the Administrator for the Performance Period based upon one or more Performance Criteria. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business unit, or an individual. 

2.41“Performance Period” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Holder’s right to, vesting of, and/or the payment in respect of, an Award.

2.42“Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Holder, any “family member” of the Holder, as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act (or any successor form thereto), or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator after taking into account Applicable Law.

2.43 “Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1.

2.44 “Program” shall mean any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.

2.45“Restricted Stock” shall mean Common Stock awarded under Article 8 that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture or repurchase.

2.46“Restricted Stock Units” shall mean the right to receive Shares awarded under Article 9.

 

 

2.47“Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including, without limitation, any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. 

2.48“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

2.49“Shares” shall mean shares of Common Stock.

2.50“Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean an Award entitling the Holder (or other person entitled to exercise pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion thereof (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of such Award from the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of such Award by the number of Shares with respect to which such Award shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose. 

2.51“SAR Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.

2.52“Subsidiary” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain. 

2.53“Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock, in any case, upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

2.54“Termination of Service” shall mean:

(a)As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Holder as a Consultant to the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary. 

(b)As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Holder who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Holder simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.

(c)As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Holder and the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but 

 

 

excluding terminations where the Holder simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary. 

The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, whether a Termination of Service has occurred, whether a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute a Termination of Service; provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless the Administrator otherwise provides in the terms of any Program, Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service only if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then-applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section. For purposes of the Plan, a Holder’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relations shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Subsidiary employing or contracting with such Holder ceases to remain a Subsidiary following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).

ARTICLE 3.

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

3.1Number of Shares.

(a)Subject to Sections 3.1(b) and 13.2, the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards (including, without limitation, Incentive Stock Options) under the Plan is 18,035,000.  Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock, treasury Common Stock or Common Stock purchased on the open market. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by two Shares for each Share delivered in settlement of any Full Value Award granted on or after the Effective Date.

(b)To the extent all or a portion of an Award is forfeited, expires or such Award or portion thereof is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Shares counted against the Shares available under the Plan with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, again be available for future grants of Awards under the Plan in an amount corresponding to the reduction in the share reserve previously made in accordance with Section 3.1(a) above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under Section 3.1(a) and will not be available for future grants of Awards: (i) Shares tendered by a Holder or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option; (ii) Shares tendered by the Holder or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to any Award; (iii) Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the stock appreciation right on exercise thereof; and (iv) Shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of Options. Any Shares forfeited by the Holder or repurchased by the Company under Section 8.4 at a price not greater than the price originally paid 

 

 

by the Holder so that such Shares are returned to the Company will again be available for Awards in an amount corresponding to the reduction in the share reserve previously made in accordance with Section 3.1(a) above. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

(c)Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan, except as may be required by reason of Section 422 of the Code. 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 its 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 be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan; 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 employed by or providing services to the Company or its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

3.2Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Section 13.2, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 400,000 and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash to any one person during any calendar year with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be $2,000,000. To the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, Shares subject to Awards which are canceled shall continue to be counted against the Award Limit.

ARTICLE 4.

GRANTING OF AWARDs

4.1Participation. The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom an Award shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. Except for any Non-Employee Director’s right to Awards that may be required pursuant to the No Eligible Individual or other Person shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Holders or any other persons uniformly. Participation by each Holder in the Plan shall be voluntary and nothing in the Plan or any Program shall be construed as mandating that any Eligible Individual or other Person shall participate in the Plan.

4.2Award Agreement. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for such Award as determined by the Administrator 

 

 

in its sole discretion (consistent with the requirements of the Plan and any applicable Program). Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

4.3Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b‐3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

4.4At-Will Service. Nothing in the Plan or in any Program or Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Holder any right to continue in the employ of, or as a Director or Consultant for, the Company or any Subsidiary, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any Subsidiary, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Holder at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of employment or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Holder and the Company or any Subsidiary. 

4.5Foreign Holders. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or applicable Program to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange or other Applicable Law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with Applicable Law (including, without limitation, applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any foreign securities exchange); (d) establish sub-plans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable; provided, however, that no such sub-plans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitation contained in Section 3.1, the Award Limit or the Director Limit; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any foreign securities exchange. 

4.6Non-Employee Director Awards. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan, the sum of the grant date fair value of equity-based Awards granted to a Non-Employee Director during any calendar year shall not exceed $500,000 (the “Director Limit”).  

 

 

ARTICLE 5.

Provisions Applicable to Awards Intended to Qualify as Performance-Based Compensation

5.1Purpose. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, (a) determine whether an Award is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation and (b) at any time after any such determination, alter such intent for any or no reason. If the Administrator, in its sole discretion, decides to grant an Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation (other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right), then the provisions of this Article 5 shall control over any contrary provision contained in the Plan or any applicable Program; provided that, if after such decision the Administrator alters such intention for any reason, the provisions of this Article 5 shall no longer control over any other provision contained in the Plan or any applicable Program. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may (i) grant Awards to Eligible Individuals that are based on Performance Criteria or Performance Goals or any such other criteria and goals as the Administrator shall establish, but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Article 5 and that are not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation and (ii) subject any Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation to additional conditions and restrictions unrelated to any Performance Criteria or Performance Goals (including, without limitation, continued employment or service requirements) to the extent such Awards otherwise satisfy the requirements of this Article 5 with respect to the Performance Criteria and Performance Goals applicable thereto.  Unless otherwise specified by the Administrator at the time of grant, the Performance Criteria with respect to an Award intended to be Performance-Based Compensation payable to a Covered Employee shall be determined on the basis of Applicable Accounting Standards. 

5.2Procedures with Respect to Performance-Based Awards. To the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award which is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no later than 90 days following the commencement of any Performance Period or any designated fiscal period or period of service (or such earlier time as may be required under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Administrator shall, in writing, (a) designate one or more Eligible Individuals, (b) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the Performance Period, (c) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period based on the Performance Criteria, and (d) specify the relationship between Performance Criteria and the Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Administrator shall certify in writing whether and the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amount earned under such Awards, the Administrator (i) shall, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, have the right to reduce or eliminate the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Administrator may deem relevant, including the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period, but (ii) shall in no event have the right to increase the amount payable for any reason.

5.3Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Program or Award Agreement and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 

 

 

162(m) of the Code, as to an Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Holder must be employed by the Company or a Subsidiary throughout the Performance Period. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Program or Award Agreement, a Holder shall be eligible to receive payment pursuant to such Awards for a Performance Period only if and to the extent the Performance Goals for such Performance Period are achieved.

5.4Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, any Award which is granted to an Eligible Individual and is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as Performance-Based Compensation, and the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

ARTICLE 6.

granting OF OPTIONS and stock appreciation rights

6.1Granting of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals. The Administrator is authorized to grant Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan.

6.2Qualification of Incentive Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options only to employees of the Company, any of the Company’s present or future “parent corporations” or “subsidiary corporations” as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, respectively, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code. No person who qualifies as a Greater Than 10% Stockholder may be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Holder during any calendar year under the Plan, and all other plans of the Company and any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (as defined in Section 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively), exceeds $100,000, the Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted and the fair market value of stock shall be determined as of the time the respective options were granted. Any interpretations and rules under the Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code.  Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall have any liability to a Holder, or any other Person, (a) if an Option (or any part thereof) which is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or (b) for any action or omission by the Company or the Administrator that causes an Option not to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, including without limitation, the conversion of an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option or the grant of an Option intended as an Incentive 

 

 

Stock Option that fails to satisfy the requirements under the Code applicable to an Incentive Stock Option.  

6.3Option and Stock Appreciation Right Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to each Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted (or, as to Incentive Stock Options, on the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). In addition, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, such price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of the Shares subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the exercise price of any Substitute Award shall be determined in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 424 and 409A of the Code.  

6.4Option and SAR Term. The term of each Option (the “Option Term”) and the term of each Stock Appreciation Right (the “SAR Term”) shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Option Term or SAR Term, as applicable, shall not be more than (a) ten (10) years from the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted to an Eligible Individual (other than a Greater Than 10% Stockholder), or (b) five (5) years from the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A or Section 422 of the Code and regulations and rulings thereunder or the first sentence of this Section 6.4 and without limiting the Company’s rights under Section 11.7, the Administrator may extend the Option Term of any outstanding Option or the SAR Term of any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, and may extend the time period during which vested Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised, in connection with any Termination of Service of the Holder or otherwise, and may amend, subject to Section 11.7 and 13.1, any other term or condition of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right relating to such Termination of Service of the Holder or otherwise.

6.5Option and SAR Vesting.  The period during which the right to exercise, in whole or in part, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right vests in the Holder shall be set by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, the applicable Program or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (a) no portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right which is unexercisable at a Holder’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable and (b) the portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is unexercisable at a Holder’s Termination of Service shall automatically expire on the date of such Termination of Service.

 

 

ARTICLE 7.

EXERCISE OF OPTIONS and STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

7.1Exercise and Payment. An exercisable Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part. However, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional Shares and the Administrator may require that, by the terms of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, a partial exercise must be with respect to a minimum number of Shares. Payment of the amounts payable with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to this Article 7 shall be in cash, Shares (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised), or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.

7.2Manner of Exercise. Except as set forth in Section 7.3, all or a portion of an exercisable Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company, the stock plan administrator of the Company or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:

(a)A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed or otherwise acknowledge electronically by the Holder or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right or such portion thereof;

(b)Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with Applicable Law. 

(c)In the event that the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 11.3 by any person or persons other than the Holder, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator; and

(d)Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes for the Shares with respect to which the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by the Administrator in accordance with Sections 11.1 and 11.2.

7.3Notification Regarding Disposition. The Holder shall give the Company or its designee prompt written or electronic notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option which occurs within (a) two years from the date of granting (including the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code) such Option to such Holder, or (b) one year after the date of transfer of such Shares to such Holder. Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by the Holder in such disposition or other transfer.

 

 

ARTICLE 8.

AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK

8.1Award of Restricted Stock. The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Individuals, and shall determine the terms and conditions, including the restrictions applicable to each award of Restricted Stock, which terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with the Plan or any applicable Program, and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate. The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value, if any, of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock to the extent required by Applicable Law.

8.2Rights as Stockholders. Subject to Section 8.4, upon issuance of Restricted Stock, the Holder shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all the rights of a stockholder with respect to said Shares, subject to the restrictions in the Plan, any applicable Program and/or the applicable Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares to the extent such dividends and other distributions have a record date that is on or after the date on which the Holder to whom such Restricted Stock are granted becomes the record holder of such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the Shares may be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 8.3. In addition, with respect to a share of Restricted Stock with performance-based vesting, dividends which are paid prior to vesting shall only be paid out to the Holder to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the share of Restricted Stock vests.

8.3Restrictions. All shares of Restricted Stock (including any shares received by Holders thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall be subject to such restrictions and vesting requirements as the Administrator shall provide in the applicable Program or Award Agreement. By action taken after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Administrator may, upon a Change in Control, or the Holder’s death or disability, accelerate the vesting of such Restricted Stock by removing any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the applicable Program or Award Agreement.

8.4Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. If no price was paid by the Holder for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Holder’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled without consideration on the date of such Termination of Service. If a price was paid by the Holder for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Holder the unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Holder for such Restricted Stock or such other amount as may be specified in the applicable Program or Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that upon a 

 

 

Change in Control, or the Holder’s death or disability, the Holder’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall not lapse, such Restricted Stock shall vest and cease to be forfeitable and, if applicable, the Company shall cease to have a right of repurchase.

8.5Section 83(b) Election. If a Holder makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Holder would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Holder shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service along with proof of the timely filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service.

ARTICLE 9.

Award of restricted stock units

9.1Grant of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual selected by the Administrator in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator. 

9.2Term. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of a Restricted Stock Unit award shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

9.3Purchase Price. The Administrator shall specify the purchase price, if any, to be paid by the Holder to the Company with respect to any Restricted Stock Unit award; provided, however, that value of the consideration shall not be less than the par value of a Share, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law.

9.4Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, vesting based upon the Holder’s duration of service to the Company or any Subsidiary, one or more Performance Criteria, Company performance, individual performance or other specific criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator. 

9.5Maturity and Payment. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the maturity date applicable to each grant of Restricted Stock Units, which shall be no earlier than the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the Holder (if permitted by the applicable Award Agreement); provided that, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, and subject to compliance with Section 409A, in no event shall the maturity date relating to each Restricted Stock Unit occur following the later of (a) the 15th day of the third month following the end of calendar year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests; or (b) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests. On the maturity date, the Company shall, in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement and subject to Section 11.4(f), transfer to the Holder one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Restricted Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited, or in the sole discretion of 

 

 

the Administrator, an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the maturity date or a combination of cash and Common Stock as determined by the Administrator. 

9.6Payment upon Termination of Service. An Award of Restricted Stock Units shall only be payable while the Holder is an Employee, a Consultant or a member of the Board, as applicable; provided, however, that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide (in an Award Agreement or otherwise) that a Restricted Stock Unit award may be paid subsequent to a Termination of Service in certain events, including a Change in Control, the Holder’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified Termination of Service.

ARTICLE 10.

award of OTHER STOCK OR CASH BASED AWARDS and DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

10.1Other Stock or Cash Based Awards.  The Administrator is authorized to (a) grant Other Stock or Cash Based Awards, including awards entitling a Holder to receive Shares or cash to be delivered immediately or in the future, to any Eligible Individual and (b) determine whether such Other Stock or Cash Based Awards shall be Performance-Based Compensation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any applicable Program, the Administrator shall determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock or Cash Based Award, including the term of the Award, any exercise or purchase price, performance goals, including the Performance Criteria, transfer restrictions, vesting conditions and other terms and conditions applicable thereto, which shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Administrator, and may be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan, as stand-alone payments, as a part of a bonus, deferred bonus, deferred compensation or other arrangement, and/or as payment in lieu of compensation to which an Eligible Individual is otherwise entitled.

10.2Dividend Equivalents. Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator, either alone or in tandem with another Award, based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date the Dividend Equivalents are granted to a Holder and the date such Dividend Equivalents terminate or expire, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time and subject to such restrictions and limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. In addition, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award with performance-based vesting that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Award shall only be paid out to the Holder to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

ARTICLE 11.

ADditional terms of awards

11.1Payment. The Administrator shall determine the method or methods by which payments by any Holder with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, 

 

 

including, without limitation: (a) cash or check, (b) Shares (including Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise, vesting or payment of the Award) or Shares held for such minimum period of time as may be established by the Administrator, in each case, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required, (c) delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Holder has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, (d) other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator in its sole discretion, or (e) any combination of the above permitted forms of payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Holder who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment, with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

11.2Tax Withholding. The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Holder to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Holder’s FICA, employment tax or other social security contribution obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Holder arising as a result of the Plan or any Award. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement, allow a Holder to satisfy such obligations by any payment means described in Section 11.1 hereof, including without limitation, by allowing such Holder to have the Company or any Subsidiary withhold Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares). The number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding or repurchase no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income (or such other number as would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries). The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise involving the sale of Shares to pay the Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.

11.3Transferability of Awards.

(a)Except as otherwise provided in Sections 11.3(b) and 11.3(c):

(i)No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than (A) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or (B) subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;

 

 

(ii)No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for or otherwise subject to the debts, contracts or engagements of the Holder or the Holder’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, 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) unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed, and any attempted disposition of an Award prior to satisfaction of these conditions shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 11.3(a)(i); and

(iii)During the lifetime of the Holder, only the Holder may exercise any exercisable portion of an Award granted to such Holder under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO.  After the death of the Holder, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by the Holder’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Holder’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.

(b)Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a), the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Holder or a Permitted Transferee of such Holder to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is intended to become a Nonqualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Holder, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee other than (A) to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Holder or (B) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Holder (other than the ability to further transfer the Award to any Person other than another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Holder); and (iii) the Holder (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the receiving Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including, without limitation documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under Applicable Law and (C) evidence the transfer.  In addition, and further notwithstanding Section 11.3(a), hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Holder to transfer Incentive Stock Options to a trust that constitutes a Permitted Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and other Applicable Law, the Holder is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.  

(c)Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a), a Holder may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Holder and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Holder’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Holder and any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Holder is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Holder’s spouse or domestic 

 

 

partner, as applicable, as the Holder’s beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Holder’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Holder’s spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Holder, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Holder’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Holder at any time; provided that the change or revocation is delivered in writing to the Administrator prior to the Holder’s death.

11.4Conditions to Issuance of Shares.

(a)The Administrator shall determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Holders. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with Applicable Law and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that a Holder make such reasonable covenants, agreements and representations as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with Applicable Law.

(b)All share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares (including, without limitation, restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock).

(c)The Administrator shall have the right to require any Holder to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.

(d)No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.

(e)The Company, in its sole discretion, may (i) retain physical possession of any stock certificate evidencing Shares until any restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and/or (ii) require that the stock certificates evidencing such Shares be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Holder deliver a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to such Shares.

11.5Forfeiture and Claw-Back Provisions. All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by a Holder upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award and any payments of a portion of an incentive-based bonus pool allocated to a Holder) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without 

 

 

limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, whether or not such claw-back policy was in place at the time of grant of an Award, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement.

11.6Prohibition on Repricing. Subject to Section 13.2, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (a) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its price per Share, or (b) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Stock Appreciation Right price per Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares. Furthermore, for purposes of this Section 11.6, except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares), the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to reduce the exercise price per Share of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash, other Awards or Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price per Share that is less than the exercise price per Share of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights without the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

11.7Amendment of Awards.  Subject to Applicable Law, the Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or settlement, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option.  The Holder’s consent to such action shall be required unless (a) the Administrator determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Holder, or (b) the change is otherwise permitted under the Plan (including, without limitation, under Section 13.2 or 13.10).

11.8Data Privacy.  As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Holder explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 11.8 by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Subsidiaries for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Holder’s participation in the Plan.  The Company and its Subsidiaries may hold certain personal information about a Holder, including but not limited to, the Holder’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), any shares of stock held in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, details of all Awards, in each case, for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan and Awards (the “Data”).  The Company and its Subsidiaries may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of a Holder’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries may each further transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company and its Subsidiaries in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.  These recipients may be located in the Holder’s country, or elsewhere, and the Holder’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country.  Through acceptance of an Award, each Holder authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Holder’s participation in the 

 

 

Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries or the Holder may elect to deposit any Shares.  The Data related to a Holder will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Holder’s participation in the Plan.  A Holder may, at any mutually agreed time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Holder, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Holder, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Holder or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative.  The Company may cancel Holder’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrator’s discretion, the Holder may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Holder refuses or withdraws his or her consents as described herein.  For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Holders may contact their local human resources representative.

ARTICLE 12.

ADMINISTRATION

12.1Administrator. The Committee shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein). To the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and with respect to Awards that are intended to be Performance-Based Compensation, including Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, then the Committee shall take all action with respect to such Awards, and the individuals taking such action shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, each of whom is intended to qualify as both a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor rule and an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Additionally, to the extent required by Applicable Law, each of the individuals constituting the Committee shall be an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 12.1 or the Organizational Documents.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Organizational Documents or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, (a) Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board and (b) vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and, with respect to such Awards, the terms “Administrator” as used in the Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (ii) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 12.7.

12.2Duties and Powers of Administrator. It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan, all Programs and Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and any Program as are not inconsistent with the Plan, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement; provided that the rights or obligations of the Holder of the 

 

 

Award that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not materially and adversely affected by such amendment, unless the consent of the Holder is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 11.5 or Section 13.10. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee in its capacity as the Administrator under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b‐3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule, or Section 162(m) of the Code, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder, or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. 

12.3Action by the Administrator. Unless otherwise established by the Board, set forth in any Organizational Documents or as required by Applicable Law, a majority of the Administrator shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Administrator in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Administrator. Each member of the Administrator is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.

12.4Authority of Administrator. Subject to the Organizational Documents, any specific designation in the Plan and Applicable Law, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:

(a)Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;

(b)Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual (including, without limitation, any Awards granted in tandem with another Award granted pursuant to the Plan);

(c)Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;

(d)Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, purchase price, any Performance Criteria or performance criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, subject to Section 12.5, and any provisions related to non-competition and claw-back and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;

(e)Determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

(f)Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Holder;

 

 

(g)Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

(h)Establish, adopt, or revise any Programs, rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

(i)Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement; 

(j)Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan; and

(k)Accelerate wholly or partially the vesting or lapse of restrictions of any Award or portion thereof at any time after the grant of an Award, subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects and Section 12.5 and Section 13.2.

12.5No Discretionary Acceleration of Vesting.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator shall not exercise discretion to provide for accelerated vesting, exercisability or distribution of any Award granted under the Plan except in the event of (i) the Participant’s death, disability, (ii) upon or following a Change in Control, or (iii) if the Participant is a non-employee director, the Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason after serving a minimum of at least one-half of the relevant term under any Award Agreement.  

12.6Decisions Binding. The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding and conclusive on all Persons.

12.7Delegation of Authority. The Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Article 12; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (b) Covered Employees with respect to Awards intended to constitute Performance Based Compensation, or (c) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under any Organizational Documents and Applicable Law (including, without limitation, Section 162(m) of the Code). Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or that are otherwise included in the applicable Organizational Documents, and the Board or Committee, as applicable, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 12.7 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and the Board or the Committee may abolish any committee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority.

 

 

ARTICLE 13.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

13.1Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan. 

(a)Except as otherwise provided in Section 13.1(b), the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board; provided that, except as provided in Section 11.5 and Section 13.10, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Holder, materially and adversely affect any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides. 

(b)Notwithstanding Section 13.1(a), the Board may not, except as provided in Section 13.2, take any of the following actions without approval of the Company’s stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after such action: (i) increase the limit imposed in Section 3.1 on the maximum number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan or the Award Limit, (ii) reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan or take any action prohibited under Section 11.6, or (iii) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award in violation of Section 11.6.

(c)No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event may any Award be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date on which the Plan was adopted by the Board or (ii) the date the Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders (such anniversary, the “Expiration Date”). Any Awards that are outstanding on the Expiration Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan, the applicable Program and the applicable Award Agreement. 

13.2Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.

(a)In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of the Company’s stock or the share price of the Company’s stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to: (i) the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1 on the maximum number and kind of Shares which may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit); (ii) the number and kind of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (iv) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan. Any adjustment affecting an Award intended as Performance-Based Compensation shall be made consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.

 

 

(b)In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 13.2(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary, or of changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards:

(i)To provide for the termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or other property with a value equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 13.2 the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment);

(ii)To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator;

(iii)To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares of the Company’s stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future; 

(iv)To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all Shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement; 

(v)To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator; and/or

(vi)To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

(c)In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 13.2(a) and 13.2(b):

(i)The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted (and the adjustments provided under this Section 13.2(c)(i) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Holder and the Company); and/or 

 

 

(ii)The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitation in Section 3.1 on the maximum number and kind of Shares which may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit). 

(d)Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent Award substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation, in each case, as determined by the Administrator. 

(e)In the event that the successor corporation in a Change in Control and its parents and subsidiaries refuse to assume or substitute for any Award in accordance with Section 13.2(d) hereof, each such non-assumed/substituted Award, except for any Performance Awards, shall become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable and shall be deemed exercised, immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, and all forfeiture restrictions on any or all such Awards shall lapse at such time.  For the avoidance of doubt, the vesting of any Performance Awards not assumed in a Change in Control will not be automatically accelerated pursuant to this Section 13.2(e) and will instead vest pursuant to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement upon a Change in Control where the successor corporation and its parents and subsidiaries refuse to assume or substitute for any Award in accordance with Section 13.2(d) hereof.    For the avoidance of doubt, if the value of an Award that is terminated in connection with this Section 13.2(e) is zero or negative at the time of such Change in Control, such Award shall be terminated upon the Change in Control without payment of consideration therefor.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event that, within the twelve (12) month period immediately following a Change in Control, a Holder experiences a Termination of Service by the Company for other than Cause or by a Holder for Good Reason, then the vesting and, if applicable, exercisability of that number of Shares equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the then-unvested Shares subject to the outstanding assumed Awards held by such Holder shall accelerate upon the date of such Termination of Service.

(f)For the purposes of this Section 13.2, an Award shall be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control was not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Award, for each Share subject to an Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent equal in fair market value to the per-share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.

(g)The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

 

(h)Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, no adjustment or action described in this Section 13.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent it would (i) with respect to Awards which are granted to Covered Employees and are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, cause such Award to fail to so qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, (ii) cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, (iii) result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, or (iv) cause an Award to fail to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A. 

(i)The existence of the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and/or the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company 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 stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

(j) In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or the share price of the Common Stock including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of up to thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.

13.3Approval of Plan by Stockholders. The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such stockholder approval; provided that such Awards shall not be exercisable, shall not vest and the restrictions thereon shall not lapse and no Shares shall be issued pursuant thereto prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders; and provided, further, that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of said twelve (12) month period, all Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void. If the Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders, (i) it will not become effective, (ii) no Awards shall be granted thereunder, and (iii) the Original Plan will continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. Upon the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders, any awards outstanding under the Original Plan as of the date of such approval shall remain outstanding and, if applicable, exercisable pursuant to the terms of such individual grants.

13.4No Stockholders Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein or in an applicable Program or Award Agreement, a Holder shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Holder becomes the record owner of such Shares.

13.5Paperless Administration. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise 

 

 

of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Holder may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

13.6Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Subsidiary: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

13.7Compliance with Laws. The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Shares and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all Applicable Law (including but not limited to state, federal and foreign securities law and margin requirements), and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all Applicable Law. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to effect compliance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

13.8Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.

13.9Governing Law. The Plan and any Programs and Award Agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof or of any other jurisdiction.

13.10Section 409A. To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A, the Plan, the Program pursuant to which such Award is granted and the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A. In that regard, to the extent any Award under the Plan or any other compensatory plan or arrangement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to Section 409A, and such Award or other amount is payable on account of a Participant’s 

 

 

Termination of Service (or any similarly defined term), then (a) such Award or amount shall only be paid to the extent such Termination of Service qualifies as a “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and (b) if such Award or amount is payable to a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A then to the extent required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such Award or other compensatory payment shall not be payable prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service, or (ii) the date of the Participant’s death.   To the extent applicable, the Plan, the Program and any Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator may (but is not obligated to), without a Holder’s consent, adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (A) exempt the Award from Section 409A and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (B) comply with the requirements of Section 409A and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under Section 409A. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to the tax treatment of any Award under Section 409A or otherwise.  The Company shall have no obligation under this Section 13.10 or otherwise to take any action (whether or not described herein) to avoid the imposition of taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and shall have no liability to any Holder or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute non-compliant, “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to the imposition of taxes, penalties and/or interest under Section 409A.

13.11Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Holder pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Holder any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.

13.12Indemnification. To the extent permitted under Applicable Law and the Organizational Documents, each member of the Administrator shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Organizational Documents, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

13.13Relationship to other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

 

 

13.14Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

* * * * *

I hereby certify that the foregoing Plan was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of STAAR Surgical Company on May 29, 2020.

* * * * *

I hereby certify that the foregoing Plan was approved by the stockholders of STAAR Surgical Company on July 30, 2020.

Executed on this 30th day of July 2020.

 

/s/ Samuel J. Gesten

Corporate Secretary

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