Document:

EX-10.78

Exhibit 10.78

SIXTH AMENDMENT TO 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT 

AND LIMITED WAIVER OF DEFAULTS

This Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (this “Amendment”) is
dated as of June 13, 2006 (the “Amendment Closing Date”) and entered into by and among Bank
of America, N.A., as lender (the “Lender”), with offices at 55 South Lake Avenue, Suite
900, Pasadena, California 91101, and Meade Instruments Corp., a Delaware corporation, Simmons
Outdoor Corp., a Delaware corporation, and Coronado Instruments, Inc., a California corporation
(such entities being referred to hereinafter each individually as a “Borrower” and
collectively, the “Borrowers”).

WHEREAS, the Lender and the Borrowers have entered into that certain Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement dated as of October 25, 2002 (as amended, restated or modified from time to time,
the “Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have informed the Lender that a violation may occur as of the fiscal
quarter ending February 28, 2006 of certain financial covenants set forth in the Agreement (the
“Prospective Covenant Violation”). The Prospective Covenant Violation would constitute an
Event of Default under the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested a waiver of the Prospective Covenant Violation and
certain amendments to the Agreement, and the Lender has agreed to waive the Prospective Covenant
Violation and to amend the Agreement pursuant to the terms and conditions provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual conditions and agreements set forth in the
Agreement and this Amendment, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

Section 1.01. Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Amendment, to the extent
not otherwise defined herein, shall have the same meanings as in the Agreement, as amended hereby.

ARTICLE II

Amendments

Section 2.01. Amendment of Section 5.2(a). Solely with respect to the Fiscal Year of
the Borrower ending February 28, 2006, the ninety (90) day period set forth in Section
5.2(a) of the Agreement shall be replaced with one hundred fifty (150) days. Section
5.2(a) shall remain unchanged with respect to all other Fiscal Years of the Borrower ending
thereafter.

Section 2.02. Amendment of Section 5.2(b). Solely with respect to the fiscal quarter
of the Borrower ending May 31, 2006, the text “forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal
quarter” set forth in Section 5.2(b) of the Agreement shall be replaced to read “the
earlier to occur of August 5, 2006 or five (5) days after the delivery of the 10K for the Fiscal
Year ending February 28, 2006”. Section 5.2(b) shall remain unchanged with respect to all
other fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending thereafter.

Section 2.03. Deleted Financial Covenants. The following financial covenants set
forth in the Agreement are hereby deleted in their respective entireties: Section 7.22
titled “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”, Section 7.23 titled “Adjusted Tangible Net Worth”;
and Section 7.24 titled “US Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”.

Section 2.04. Minimum Availability. A new Section 7.22 titled “Minimum
Availability” is hereby added to the Agreement to read in its entirety as follows:

“ 7.22 Minimum Availability. The Borrowers shall maintain, at all times,
Availability of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).”

Section 2.05. Minimum EBITDA. A new Section 7.23 titled “Minimum EBITDA” is
hereby added to the Agreement to read in its entirety as follows:

“ 7.23 Minimum EBITDA. Tested on a quarterly basis beginning with the
fiscal quarter ending February 28, 2007, Meade and its consolidated Subsidiaries
shall have positive EBITDA on rolling four quarter basis.”

Section 2.06. New Definition of “Special Reserve”. A new definition of “Special
Reserve” is hereby added to Annex A to the Agreement to read in its entirety as follows:

“‘Special Reserve’ means a reserve in the amount of $4,000,000.”

Section 2.07. Amended Definition of “Applicable Margin”. The definition of
“Applicable Margin” set forth in Annex A to the Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in
its entirety as follows:

“ ‘Applicable Margin’ means:

(i) with respect to Base Rate Revolving Loans and all other Obligations (other than
LIBOR Loans), 2.00%; and

(ii) with respect to LIBOR Revolving Loans, 4.25%; and

(iii) with respect to LIBOR Term Loans, 4.25%.

Provided, that, once Meade and its consolidated Subsidiaries achieve
a positive EBITDA for the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters, the Applicable
Margin will be determined based upon the following grid:

	 	 	 
	If Fixed Charge	 	 
	Coverage Ratio	 	Pricing Level
	Greater than or equal to

2.00 to 1.00

	 	

Level I
	 
	 	 
	Greater than or equal to

1.75 to 1.00 but less than

2.00 to 1.00

	 	

Level II
	 
	 	 
	Greater than or equal to

1.50 to 1.00 but less than

1.75 to 1.00

	 	

Level III
	 
	 	 
	Greater than or equal to

1.20 to 1.00 but less than

1.50 to 1.00

	 	

Level IV
	 
	 	 
	Greater than or equal to

1.00 to 1.00 but less than

1.20 to 1.00

	 	

Level V
	 
	 	 
	Greater than or equal to

        .75 to 1.00 but less than

1.00 to 1.00

	 	

Level VI
	 
	 	 
	Greater than or equal to

        .50 to 1.00 but less than

        .75 to 1.00

	 	

Level VII
	 
	 	 
	Greater than or equal to

        .25 to 1.00 but less than

        .50 to 1.00

	 	

Level VIII
	 
	 	 
	Greater than or equal to

        .00 to 1.00 but less than

        .25 to 1.00

	 	

Level IX
	 
	 	 
	
 
	 	Applicable Margins

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Level I	 	Level II	 	Level III	 	Level IV	 	Level V	 	Level VI	 	Level VII	 	Level VIII	 	Level IX
	Base Rate Revolving Loans
	 		0.0	%	 		0.0	%	 		0.0	%	 		0.25	%	 		0.50	%	 		0.75	%	 		1.00	%	 		1.25	%	 		1.75	%
	LIBOR Revolving Loans
	 		1.75	%	 		2.00	%	 		2.25	%	 		2.50	%	 		2.75	%	 		3.00	%	 		3.25	%	 		3.50	%	 		4.00	%
	Term Loans
	 		3.00	%	 		3.00	%	 		3.00	%	 		3.00	%	 		3.00	%	 		3.00	%	 		3.25	%	 		3.50	%	 		4.00	%

Once Meade and its consolidated Subsidiaries achieve a positive EBITDA for the
prior four consecutive fiscal quarters, all adjustments in the Applicable Margins
shall be implemented quarterly on a prospective basis, commencing with the first day
of the first calendar month that occurs more than 5 days after the required date of
delivery to the Lender of quarterly unaudited or annual draft audited (as
applicable) Financial Statements evidencing the need for an adjustment. In the
event the draft audited Financial Statements are subsequently determined to be in
error, then any resulting change in the Applicable Margin shall be made
retroactively to the date when the incorrect Applicable Margin was utilized.
Concurrently with the delivery of all quarterly Financial Statements, Meade shall
deliver to the Lender a certificate, signed by its chief financial officer, setting
forth in reasonable detail the basis for the continuance of, or any change in, the
Applicable Margins. Failure to timely deliver such Financial Statements shall, in
addition to any other remedy provided for in this Agreement, result in an increase
in the Applicable Margins to the highest level set forth in the foregoing grid,
until the first day of the first calendar month following the delivery of those
Financial Statements demonstrating that such an increase is not required. If a
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time any reduction
in the Applicable Margins is to be implemented, no reduction may occur until the
first day of the first calendar month following the date on which such Default or
Event of Default is waived or cured.”

Section 2.08. Amended Definition of “Availability”. The definition of “Availability”
set forth in Annex A to the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as
follows:

“ ‘Availability’ means, at any time (a) the lesser of (i) the Maximum
Revolver Amount or (ii) the Borrowing Base, minus (b) Reserves, other than
the Special Reserve and Reserves deducted in the calculation of the Borrowing Base,
minus (c) the Special Reserve, and minus (d) in each case, the
Aggregate Revolver Outstandings.”

Section 2.09. Amended Definition of “Reserves”. The definition of “Reserves” set forth
in Annex A to the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“ ‘Reserves’ means reserves that limit the availability of credit hereunder,
consisting of reserves against Availability, Eligible Accounts or Eligible
Inventory, established by Lender from time to time in Lender’s reasonable credit
judgment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following reserves
shall be deemed to be a reasonable exercise of Lender’s credit judgment: (a) Bank
Product Reserves; (b) a reserve for accrued, unpaid interest on the Obligations; (c)
reserves for rent at leased locations subject to statutory or contractual landlord
liens; (d) the Slow Moving Reserve; (e) the Dilution Adjustment Reserve; (f)
warehousemen’s or bailees’ charges; and (g) the Working Capital Reserve; and (h) the
Special Reserve.”

Section 2.10. Deleted Definitions. Each of the following definitions is hereby
deleted from Annex A to the Agreement in its respective entirety: “Availability Reserve” and “Fixed
Charge Coverage Reserve”.

ARTICLE III

Section 3.01. Waiver. The Lender hereby waives the Prospective Covenant Violation and
agrees not to exercise any rights or remedies available as a result of the occurrence thereof.

Section 3.02. Limitation of Waiver. The waiver granted in Section 3.01 of
this Amendment shall be limited strictly as written and shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver
of, or any consent to noncompliance with, any term or provision of this Amendment, the Agreement or
any other Loan Document except as expressly set forth herein. Further, the waiver granted in
Section 3.01 of this Amendment shall not constitute a waiver of any other Default or Event
of Default arising as a result of the violation of any other term or provision of this Amendment,
the Agreement or any other Loan Document or a waiver of any rights or remedies arising as a result
of any such other Defaults or Events of Default.

Section 3.03. Amendment Fee. In connection with the preparation, negotiation and
execution of this Amendment, the Borrowers shall pay to the Lender an amendment fee (the
“Amendment Fee”) in the amount of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000), which, at the Lender’s
option, may be charged as an advance and a Revolving Loan under the Agreement, and which fee is
fully earned and payable as of the Amendment Closing Date.

ARTICLE IV

Section 4.01. Conditions Precedent. The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(i) The representations and warranties contained herein and in the Agreement, as
amended hereby, shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof as
if made on the date hereof, except for such representations and warranties limited by their
terms to a specific date;

(ii) The Borrowers shall have delivered to the Lender an executed original copy of this
Amendment;

(iii) The Borrowers shall have delivered to the Lender executed original copies of each
of the Consents and Reaffirmations attached to this Amendment;

(iv) The Borrowers shall have paid the Lender the Amendment Fee;

(v) No Default or Event of Default (other than the Prospective Covenant Violation)
shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(vi) All proceedings taken in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Amendment and all documentation and other legal matters incident thereto shall be
satisfactory to the Lender in its sole and absolute discretion.

ARTICLE V

Section 5.01. Acknowledgment. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the
execution and delivery of this Amendment and compliance by such Borrower with all of the provisions
of this Amendment, (i) are within its powers and purposes, (ii) have been duly authorized or
approved by such Borrower, and (iii) when executed and delivered by or on behalf of such Borrower,
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with their
terms. Each Borrower reaffirms its obligation to pay all amounts due the Lender under the Loan
Documents in accordance with the terms thereof, as modified hereby.

Section 5.02. Loan Documents Unmodified. Except as otherwise specifically modified by
this Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement and all other Loan Documents, as modified
hereby, shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing contained in this Amendment shall in any
way impair the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents, as modified hereby or alter,
waive, annul, vary, affect, or impair any provisions, conditions, or covenants contained therein or
any rights, powers, or remedies granted therein. Any lien and/or security interest granted to the
Lender in the Collateral set forth in the Agreement or any other Loan Document is and shall remain
unchanged and in full force and effect and the Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall
continue to secure the payment and performance of all of the Obligations thereunder, as modified
hereby, and the Borrowers’ obligations hereunder.

Section 5.03. Parties, Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of each of the Borrowers, the Lender, and their respective
successors and assigns.

Section 5.04. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 5.05. Headings. The headings, captions and arrangements used in this
Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment.

Section 5.06. Expenses of the Lender. The Borrowers agree to pay on demand (i) all
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the preparation,
negotiation and execution of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents executed pursuant hereto
and any and all subsequent amendments, modifications, and supplements hereto or thereto, including,
without limitation, the costs and fees of the Lender’s legal counsel and the allocated cost of
staff counsel and (ii) all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Lender in connection with
the enforcement or preservation of any rights under the Agreement, this Amendment and/or other Loan
Documents, including, without limitation, the reasonable costs and fees of the Lender’s legal
counsel, the allocated cost of staff counsel, and the costs and fees associated with any
environmental due diligence conducted in relation hereto.

Section 5.07. Total Agreement. This Amendment, the Agreement, and all other Loan
Documents shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter
hereof, and shall rescind all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto
relating to the subject matter hereof, and shall not be changed or terminated orally.

1

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Amendment as of the day
and year first above written.

“BORROWERS”:

MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Name: Brent W. Christensen
	 	 	Title:	 	 	CFO

SIMMONS OUTDOOR CORP.

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Name: Brent W. Christensen
	 	 	Title:	 	 	CFO

CORONADO INSTRUMENTS, INC.

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Name: Brent W. Christensen
	 	 	Title:	 	 	CFO

“LENDER”:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

By: /s/Todd R. Eggertsen

2

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Name: Todd R. Eggertsen	 
	 	 	Title:	 	 	Vice President

CONSENTS AND REAFFIRMATIONS

Each of MEADE INSTRUMENTS EUROPE CORP., a California corporation, and MEADE INSTRUMENTS
HOLDINGS CORP., a California corporation, hereby acknowledges the execution of, and consent to, the
terms and conditions of that Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Limited
Waiver of Defaults dated as of June      , 2006, among MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP., SIMMONS OUTDOOR
CORP., CORONADO INSTRUMENTS, INC. and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (“Creditor”), and reaffirms its
obligations under (a) that certain Continuing Guaranty (the “Guaranty”) dated as of
September 24, 2001, made by the undersigned in favor of the Creditor, and (b) that certain Security
Agreement (the “Security Agreement”) dated as of September, 2001, by and between the
undersigned and the Creditor. Each of the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that each of the
Guaranty and the Security Agreement remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and
confirmed.

Dated as of June 13, 2006.

MEADE INSTRUMENTS EUROPE CORP., a California
corporation

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Name: Brent W. Christensen
	 	 	Title:	 	 	CFO

MEADE INSTRUMENTS HOLDINGS CORP., a California
corporation

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Name: Brent W. Christensen
	 	 	Title:	 	 	CFO

3

CONSENTS AND REAFFIRMATIONS

Each of MTSC HOLDINGS, INC., a California corporation (“MTSC”), MC HOLDINGS,
INC., a California corporation (“MC HOLDINGS”), and MEADE CORONADO HOLDINGS CORP., a
California corporation (“MCHC”), hereby acknowledges the execution of, and consents to, the
terms and conditions of that Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Limited
Waiver of Defaults dated as of June      , 2006, among MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP., SIMMONS OUTDOOR CORP.,
CORONADO INSTRUMENTS, INC. and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (“Creditor”), and reaffirms its
obligations under that certain Continuing Guaranty (the “Guaranty”) dated as of September
24, 2001 executed in favor of the Creditor and joined by each of the undersigned pursuant to an
Instrument of Joinder, dated as of (i) October 25, 2002 with respect to MTSC and MC HOLDINGS, and
(ii) December 1, 2004 with respect to MCHC (respectively, the “Instrument”). Each of the
undersigned acknowledges and agrees that each of the Guaranty and Instrument remain in full force
and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

Dated as of June 13, 2006.

MTSC HOLDINGS, INC., a California corporation,

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Name: Brent W. Christensen
	 	 	Title:	 	 	CFO

MC HOLDINGS, INC., a California corporation

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Name: Brent W. Christensen
	 	 	Title:	 	 	CFO

MEADE CORONADO HOLDINGS CORP., a California
corporation

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	

                     Name: Brent W. Christensen           }

                     Title:                   CFO         }

Name: Brent W. Christensen
	 	 	Title:	 	 	CFO

4Kinder Morgan, Inc. Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-K

Exhibit 10.1

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 28, 2006, by and between Kinder Morgan, Inc., a Kansas corporation (the “Company”), and _________________________ (“Indemnitee”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in Section 16.

WHEREAS, Indemnitee performs a valuable service for the Company;

WHEREAS, the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company (the “Articles”) provide for the indemnification of directors, officers and certain employees and agents of the Company, as permitted by the Kansas General Corporation Code, as amended (the “KGCC”);

WHEREAS, the Articles and the KGCC, by their nonexclusive nature, permit contracts between the Company and such directors, officers and employees and agents of the Company with respect to indemnification of such persons;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons to serve the Company in certain capacities, including as members of committees of the Company’s Board of Directors, that this situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that therefore the Company should act to ensure that there will be increased certainty of indemnification protection for the individuals serving in such capacities in the future; 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to the provisions of the KGCC, the Company’s Articles and the Bylaws and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto and is not intended to be a substitute therefor, nor is it intended to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the need to provide Indemnitee with substantial protection against personal liability and in order to induce Indemnitee to serve in his or her Corporate Capacity, the Company has determined and agreed to enter into this Agreement with Indemnitee.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s service in his or her Corporate Capacity, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1.

Indemnification of Indemnitee. Subject to Section 5, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Indemnitee if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a witness, or is otherwise involved, in any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Capacity to the maximum extent permitted by the KGCC, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended (but only to the extent any such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than the KGCC permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment); provided, however, that except as provided in Section 6, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement in connection with a Proceeding

initiated by Indemnitee (other than in Indemnitee’s Corporate Capacity) against the Company or any director or officer of the Company unless the Company has joined in or consented in writing to the initiation of such action.
 

2.

Advancement of Expenses.  

(a)

The Company shall pay for or reimburse the Expenses of Indemnitee with respect to Indemnitee’s Corporate Capacity in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding if Indemnitee furnishes the Company a written undertaking, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to repay any advances if it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. However, if it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee will not be obligated to repay any advances if it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under the KGCC, the Articles, the Bylaws, any resolutions promulgated under the Articles or Bylaws, or otherwise. Such undertaking must be an unlimited general obligation of Indemnitee but need not be secured and will be accepted without reference to the financial ability of Indemnitee to make repayment.

(b)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, provided the Indemnitee has presented the undertaking required pursuant to Section 2(a), the advances to be made hereunder shall be paid from time to time by the Company to Indemnitee within 10 days following receipt of a written request therefor by the Company from the Indemnitee, accompanied by copies of the relevant invoices. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 2 shall be unsecured and interest free. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligation of the Company to advance Expenses pursuant to this Section 2 shall be subject to the condition that, if, when and to the extent that the Company determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall be reimbursed, within sixty (60) days of such determination, by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts previously paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 2; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, any determination made by the Company that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advance of Expenses until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed).

3.

Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partly Successful.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Capacity, a party to and is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding, regardless of whether Indemnitee has met the standards set forth in Sections 17-6305(a) and (b) of the KGCC and without any action or determination in accordance with Section 5.  If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses incurred by 

-2-

Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. Any necessary determination regarding the allocation or apportionment of Expenses between successful and unsuccessful claims, issues or matters shall be made by the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 5(b) to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.

4.

Partial Indemnification.  If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of any Expenses but not for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled. 

5.

Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.  It is the intent of the parties to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnification to the maximum extent permitted under the law and public policy of the State of Kansas.  Accordingly, the following procedures and presumptions shall apply if any question arises as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement (provided, however, if the procedures for determination of entitlement to indemnification as currently set forth in the KGCC are amended to require different procedures and such different procedures create any material inconsistency between the procedures set forth in paragraph (b) below, the procedures set forth in paragraph (b) shall also be deemed to be amended in the same manner to the extent necessary to remove the material inconsistency without any further action on the part of the Company or Indemnitee):

(a)

To obtain indemnification (other than the advancement of Expenses and other than as provided otherwise herein) under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.  The Corporate Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.  Any expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee’s request for indemnification hereunder shall be borne by the Company.  The Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless for any expenses (including attorneys’ fees and costs) incurred by Indemnitee under the immediately preceding sentence irrespective of the outcome of the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification. 

(b)

The Company shall not indemnify Indemnitee under Section 1 unless a determination has been made for a specific Proceeding that indemnification of Indemnitee is permissible under Section 17-6305 of the KGCC.  The determination shall be made: 

(i)

If there are two or more Disinterested Directors, by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of all the Disinterested Directors (a majority of whom shall for such purpose constitute a quorum) or by a majority of the members of a committee of two or more Disinterested Directors appointed by such a majority vote of all of the Disinterested Directors; or

(ii)

By independent legal counsel in a written opinion, so long as such independent legal counsel is:  

-3-

(A)

selected in the manner prescribed in paragraph (i) of this subsection; or

(B)

if there are fewer than two Disinterested Directors, selected by the Board of Directors (in which selection directors who do not qualify as Disinterested Directors may participate);

(iii)

provided, however, that following a Change of Control of the Company, with respect to all matters thereafter arising out of acts, omissions or events occurring prior to or after the Change of Control of the Company concerning the rights of Indemnitee to seek indemnification under this Section 5, such determination shall be made by independent legal counsel nominated by Indemnitee and selected by the Board of Directors or its committee in the manner described in Sections 5(b)(i) and 5(b)(ii)(B) (which selection shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), which counsel shall not have otherwise performed services for the Indemnitee or the Company or its successors or predecessors (other than in connection with similar matters) within the five years preceding its engagement to render such opinion (“Independent Counsel”).  If Indemnitee fails to nominate Independent Counsel within ten (10) business days following written request by the Company to nominate Independent Counsel, the Board of Directors or its committee shall select Independent Counsel in the manner described in Section 5(b)(ii).  Independent Counsel shall not in any case be a person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, nor shall Independent Counsel be any person who has been sanctioned or censured for ethical violations of applicable standards of professional conduct. Such Independent Counsel shall determine as promptly as practicable whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law and shall render a written opinion to the Company and to Indemnitee to such effect. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and costs of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such Independent Counsel against any and all expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Section 5 or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(c)

If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 5(b) to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification have not made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(d)

Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or 

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information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and that is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination.  Each such person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination under this Agreement of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification.  Any expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

6.

Remedies of Indemnitee; Legal Fees and Expenses.

(a)

If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 5 that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 2, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification has been made pursuant to Section 5(b) within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, or (iv) payment of indemnification is not made within twenty (20) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 5, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.

(b)

If a determination is made pursuant to Section 5(b) that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding.

(c)

If Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 6, seeks an interpretation or judicial adjudication of Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of this Agreement, or to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, the Company shall pay on Indemnitee’s behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in the definition of Expenses in Section 16) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in such interpretation or judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such interpretation, indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance recovery.

(d)

The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

7.

Presumption of Entitlement. In making a determination of entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement pursuant to Section 5, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that indemnification is permissible unless clearly precluded by this Agreement or the applicable provisions of the KGCC.

8.

No Presumptions as to Certain Termination Events of Proceeding. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of a Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or 

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upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent does not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the standard of conduct set forth in Section 17-6305 of the KGCC.

9.

Non-Exclusivity. The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement (including without limitation the right to advancement of Expenses) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under the KGCC, applicable law, the Company’s Articles or Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise.  Except as required by applicable law, the Company shall not adopt any amendment to its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws the effect of which would be to deny, diminish or encumber Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement.  No amendment, alteration or termination of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Capacity prior to such amendment, alteration or termination.  To the extent that a change in the KGCC, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the KGCC, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.  No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy. 

10.

Subrogation. In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee.  Following receipt of indemnification payments hereunder, as further assurance, Indemnitee shall execute all papers required and, at the expense of the Company, take all action reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are reasonably necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

11.

Insurance. The Company has already obtained and will maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing some or all of the individuals serving in a Corporate Capacity with coverage for losses, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.  To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for individuals serving in a Corporate Capacity, or in capacities substantially similar to the Corporate Capacity, Indemnitee must be covered by such policy or policies in such manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded other individuals serving in substantially the same Corporate Capacity or in capacities substantially similar to the Corporate Capacity.  The policy or policies of insurance protect and will protect Indemnitee against loss, liability, costs or Expenses whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such loss, liability, costs or Expenses under the KGCC or applicable law.  Any failure by the Company to maintain insurance will not discharge the Company’s indemnification obligations under this Agreement.  

12.

No Duplication of Payment.  The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the

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extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

13.

Defense of Claims. The Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Capacity or to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee, provided, however, if Indemnitee, concludes that (a) the use of counsel chosen by the Company to represent Indemnitee would likely present such counsel with an actual or potential conflict of interest and Indemnitee furnishes to the Company a written opinion of counsel to such effect, (b) the named parties in the Proceeding include both Indemnitee and the Company and Indemnitee concludes that there may be one or more legal defenses available to Indemnitee that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company, and Indemnitee furnishes to the Company a written opinion of counsel to such effect, or (c) any such representation by counsel would be precluded under the applicable standards of conduct then prevailing, and Indemnitee furnishes to the Company a written opinion of counsel to such effect, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel) at the Company’s expense. The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without the Company’s prior written consent.  The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, effect any settlement of any Proceeding unless such settlement solely involves the payment of money and includes a complete and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability on all claims that are the subject matter of the Proceeding. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided, however, that Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a complete and unconditional release of Indemnitee. 

14.

Successors and Binding Agreement.  

(a)

The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s counsel, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor to the Company, including any person or entity acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise (and such successor will thereafter be deemed the “Company” for purposes of this Agreement). 

(b)

Indemnitee’s right to indemnification and advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Agreement shall continue regardless of the termination of Indemnitee’s Corporate Capacity, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Indemnitee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, spouses, heirs, assigns and other successors.

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(c)

This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the prior written consent of the other, assign or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in Sections 14(a) and 14(b). 

15.

Enforcement/Reliance.

(a)

The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve in a Corporate Capacity, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving in such Corporate Capacity.

(b)

This Agreement, along with the Company’s Articles, constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

16.

Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement:

(a)

“Affiliate” has the meaning as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(b)

“Change of Control” means the occurrence with respect to the Company of any of the following events: (a) any “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (b) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clauses (a), (c) or (d) of this definition) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3rds) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason other than normal retirement, death or disability to constitute at least a majority thereof; (c) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other person, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities for the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but no “person” (as defined above) acquires more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or (d) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (or any transaction having a similar effect). 

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(c)

“Corporate Capacity” describes serving as a member of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company created by the Board of Directors on May 28, 2006. Corporate Capacity includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or personal representative of Indemnitee. 

(d)

“Disinterested Director” means a director who at the time of a vote referred to in Section 5(b) is not:

(i)

A party to the Proceeding; or

(ii)

A director having a familial, financial, professional, or employment relationship with the director whose indemnification or advance for Expenses is the subject of the decision being made with respect to the Proceeding, which relationship would, in the circumstances, reasonably be expected to exert an influence on the director’s judgment when voting on the decision being made.

(e)

“Expenses” means, (i) with respect to any Proceeding against Indemnitee other than a Proceeding by or in right of the Company, all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, including attorneys’ fees and costs, and (ii) with respect to any Proceeding against Indemnitee by or in right of the Company, all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding, including attorneys’ fees and costs.

(f)

“Proceeding” means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, including discovery, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative, whether formal or informal and including any action brought under the federal securities laws.

17.

Modification and Waiver.  This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered, supplemented or terminated, except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the parties hereto.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

18.

Notice By Indemnitee.  Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter that may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder.  The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation that it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.

19.

Notices.  Any notice, request, instruction, consent, correspondence or other document to be given hereunder by either party to the other (herein collectively called “Notice”) shall be in writing and delivered in person or by courier service requiring acknowledgment of receipt of delivery or mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or by telecopier, as follows:

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If to the Indemnitee, addressed to:

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

Telecopier No.:__________________

If to Company, addressed to:

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

500 Dallas Street, Suite 1000

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention:

________________

________________

Telecopier No.: ____________

Notice given by personal delivery or courier service shall be effective upon actual receipt.  Notice given by mail shall be effective upon actual receipt or, if not actually received, the fifth business day following deposit with the U.S. Post Office.  Notice given by telecopier shall be confirmed by appropriate answer back and shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipient’s normal business hours, or at the beginning of the recipient’s next business day after receipt if not received during the recipient’s normal business hours.  Any party may change any address to which Notice is to be given to it by giving Notice as provided above of such change of address.

20.

Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

21.

Descriptive Headings.  The descriptive headings used herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

22.

Governing Law.  The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Kansas without application of the conflict of laws principles thereof. 

23.

Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in

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such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been contained herein.

24.

Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.  

*     *     *

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The parties hereto have executed this Indemnification Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

KINDER MORGAN, INC. 

By:

______________________________

Name:_________________________

Title:__________________________

INDEMNITEE

__________________________________

Name:  

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