Document:

a6665528ex10_17.htm

Exhibit 10.17

CAMDEN NATIONAL CORPORATION

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN

 

 

1.      Purpose.  This Plan is intended to create incentives for certain executive officers of the Company to allow the Company to attract and retain in its employ persons who will contribute to the future success of the Company.  It is further the intent of the Company that Awards made under this Plan will be used to achieve the twin goals of (i) aligning executive incentive compensation with increases in stockholder value and (ii) using equity compensation as a tool to retain key employees.  This Plan shall be a sub-plan of the Stock Option Plan and any Shares awarded under this Plan shall reduce the number of Shares available for use under the Stock Option Plan.

 

2.      Definitions.  Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

2.1          "Award" shall mean, for any Participant, the actual payment in Shares at the end of a Long-Term Performance Period.

 

2.2          "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.3          "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

(a)              any "Person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), together with all "affiliates" and "associates" (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such person, shall become the "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities having the right to vote in an election of the Board ("Voting Securities") (in such case other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company); or

(b)              persons who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason, including, without limitation, as a result of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or similar transaction, to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director of the Company subsequent to the Effective Date shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such person's election was approved by or such person was nominated for election by either (i) a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors or (ii) a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors who are members of a nominating committee comprised, in the majority, of Incumbent Directors; but provided further, that any such person whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of members of the Board or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board, including by reason of agreement intended to avoid or settle any such actual or threatened contest or solicitation, shall not be considered an Incumbent Director; or

 

  

  

  

 

(c)              the consummation of a consolidation, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a "Corporate Transaction"); excluding, however, a Corporate Transaction in which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the Corporate Transaction, would, immediately after the Corporate Transaction, beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing in the aggregate more than 50 percent of the voting shares of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the Corporate Transaction (or of its ultimate parent corporation, if any); or

(d)              the approval by the stockholders of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a "Change of Control" shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (a) solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares of Voting Securities beneficially owned by any person to 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however, that if any person referred to in this sentence shall thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Securities (other than pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction or as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company) and immediately thereafter beneficially owns 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all then outstanding Voting Securities, then a "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (a).

 

2.4          "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

2.5          "Committee" shall mean those members of the Compensation Committee of the Board who are "outside directors" and "non-employee directors" as such terms are defined under the Code, applicable regulations and Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, respectively.

 

2.6          "Company" shall mean Camden National Corporation.

 

2.7          "Effective Date" shall mean, with respect to this amendment and restatement of the Plan, January 1, 2011, and with respect to the original Plan, January 1, 2005 (amendments to the Plan shall be effective as indicated therein).

 

2.8          "Efficiency Ratio "or "ER”  for a Long-Term Performance Period shall mean the Company's non-interest expense divided by the Company's revenues (i.e., the Company's fully tax equivalent net interest income and non-interest income) during such Long-Term Performance Period.  Non-interest expense and non-interest income shall exclude material non recurring events and security gains and losses.

 

  

  

  

 

2.9          "Fiscal Year" shall mean the fiscal year of the Company, which is the 12- month period ending December 31 of each year.

 

2.10          "Long-Term Performance Period" shall mean a period of three consecutive Fiscal Years beginning on the January 1 of the first year of such Long-Term Performance Period.  A Long-Term Performance Period shall terminate prior to the expiration of three consecutive Fiscal Years to the extent required pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof.

 

2.11          “Net Income Growth” for a Long-Term Performance Period shall mean the compound annual growth rate of the Company's net income over the Long-Term Performance Period.  Non-interest income and non-interest expense shall exclude material non recurring events.

 

2.12          "Non-Performing Asset Ratio" shall mean non-performing assets (which includes non-accrual loans, loans over 90 days past due still accruing, other real estate owned and repossessed assets) as a percentage of total assets.

 

2.13          "Participant" shall mean an executive officer of the Company designated by the Committee pursuant to Section 4 to participate in the Plan with respect to a Long-Term Performance Period.

 

2.14          "Performance Measures" for any Long-Term Performance Period shall mean:

 

(a)              For Long-Term Performance Periods beginning on or after January 1, 2009: Efficiency Ratio, Return on Average Equity, Revenue Growth and/or Tangible Book Value Per Diluted Share, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

(b)              For Long-Term Performance Periods beginning on or after January 1, 2010: Efficiency Ratio, Non-Performing Asset Ratio, Net Income Growth, Return on Average Equity, Revenue Growth, and/or Tangible Book Value Per Diluted Share, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

2.15          "Plan" shall mean the Camden National Corporation Amended and Restated Long-Term Performance Share Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

2.16          "Retirement” shall mean an employee's bona fide retirement from the Company provided that at the time of such retirement (a) such employee is in good standing, and (b) has attained age 55 with at least 10 years of employment with the Company or has attained age 65 with at least five years of employment with the Company.

 

2.17          "Return on Average Equity" or "ROAE" for a Long-Term Performance Period shall mean (i) the Company's net income after taxes for each Fiscal Year during such Long-Term Performance Period, divided by (ii) the Company's average equity during such Long-Tern Performance Period, in each case as reported in the Company's annual reports on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Years included in such Long-Term Performance Period.

 

2.18          "Revenue Growth" or “Compound Annual Growth Rate" or "CAGR” for a Long-Term Performance Period shall mean the compound annual growth rate of the Company's revenues (i.e., the Company's fully tax equivalent net interest income and non-interest income) over the Long-Term Performance Period.  Non-interest income shall exclude material non recurring events and security gains and losses.

 

  

  

  

 

2.19          "Share" shall mean a share of common stock, no par value, of the Company.

 

2.20          "Stock Option Plan" shall mean the Camden National Corporation 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.

 

2.21          "Tangible Book Value Per Diluted Share or "TBV" for a Long-Term Performance Period shall mean the Company's tangible book value per diluted share as of the end of such Long-Tern Performance Period, calculated by dividing (i) the Company's tangible book value (i.e., total assets less total liabilities, less goodwill, and less core deposit intangibles) as of the end of such Long-Term Performance Period (ii) by the total amount of common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis as of the end of such Long-Term Performance Period, in each case as reported in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year that ends simultaneously with (or that includes the last day of) such Long-Term Performance Period.

 

2.22          "Target Award” shall mean, for any Participant, a percentage of his or her base salary at the beginning of the Long-Term Performance Period.

 

2.23          "Termination Event" shall mean, for any Participant, termination of such Participant's employment with the Company either (a) by the Company for any reason other than Cause or (b) by the Participant for Good Reason. "Cause" means a vote of the Board resolving that the Participant should be dismissed as a result of (i) the commission of any act by a grantee constituting financial dishonesty against the Company (which act would be chargeable as a crime under applicable law); (ii) a Participant's engaging in any other act of dishonesty, fraud, intentional misrepresentation, moral turpitude, illegality or harassment which, as determined in good faith by the Board, would: (A) materially adversely affect the business or the reputation of the Company with its current or prospective customers, suppliers, lenders and/or other third parties with whom it does or might do business; or (B) expose the Company to a risk of civil or criminal legal damages, liabilities or penalties; (iii) the repeated failure by a Participant to follow the directives of the Company's chief executive officer or Board or (iv) any material misconduct, violation of the Company's policies, or willful and deliberate non-performance of duty by the participant in connection with the business affairs of the Company. "Good Reason" means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a substantial adverse change in the nature or scope of the Participant's responsibilities, authorities, powers, functions or duties; (ii) a substantial reduction in the Participant's annual base salary except for across-the-board salary reductions similarly affecting all or substantially all management employees; or (iii) the relocation of the offices at which the Participant is principally employed to a location more than 50 miles from such offices.

 

3.      Administration.  The Committee shall have sole discretionary power to interpret the provisions of this Plan, to administer and make all decisions and exercise all rights of the Company with respect to this Plan.  The Committee shall have final authority to apply the provisions of the Plan and determine, in its sole discretion, the amount of the Awards to be paid to Participants hereunder and shall also have the exclusive discretionary authority to make all other determinations (including, without limitation, the interpretation and construction of the Plan and the determination of relevant facts) regarding the entitlement to benefits hereunder and the amount of benefits to be paid pursuant to the Plan.  The Committee's exercise of this discretionary authority shall at all times be in accordance with the terms of the Plan and shall be entitled to deference upon review by any court, agency or other entity empowered to review its decision, and shall be enforced, provided that it is not arbitrary, capricious or fraudulent.

 

  

  

  

 

4.      Eligibility.  For each Long-Term Performance Period, the Committee in its discretion shall select those executive officers who shall be Participants.  The selection of an individual to be a Participant in any one Long-Term Performance Period does not entitle the individual to be a Participant in any other Long-Term Performance Period.  A newly hired executive may be eligible to become a Participant if he or she is hired prior to the first day of a Long-Term Performance Period.  Subject to Section 7 hereof, any Participant who is not a Participant at the beginning of the Long-Term Performance Period and therefore does not participate for the entire Long-Term Performance Period, including a newly hired or promoted Participant, shall receive a pro-rated Target Award based on his period of participation.

 

5.      Performance Measures and Awards.

 

5.1          Performance Measures. Within the first 180 days of a Long-Term Performance Period, the Committee shall establish the performance share matrix with the Performance Measures for the Long-Term Performance Period. The established matrix shall be set forth in Exhibit A.

 

5.2          Granting of Awards. The Committee shall assign each Participant a Target Award for the Long-Term Performance Period.

 

5.3          Nature of Awards. The Target Awards granted under this Plan shall be used solely as a device for the measurement and determination of Awards that may potentially be made to each Participant as provided herein. Awards shall not constitute or be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind or as capital stock of the Company, stock options or other form of equity or security until they are paid to Participants in the form of Shares.

 

6.      Payment of Awards.

 

6.1          Committee Certification.  No Participant shall receive an Award of any Shares under this Plan unless the Committee has certified, by resolution or other appropriate action in writing, that the Performance Measure with respect to the Long-Term Performance Period has in fact been satisfied.  No payments shall be made if the Performance Measure has not been met for the Long-Term Performance Period.  If each of the Performance Measures has been met, the amount of the actual Award will be made pursuant to the provisions of Section

 

6.2          Award to Participants at End of Long-Term Performance Period. At the end of each Long-Term Performance Period, if each Performance Measure equals or exceeds the threshold set forth in Exhibit A, then each Participant shall receive an Award in accordance with the matrix in Exhibit A. The Award for a Long-Term Performance Period shall be paid to such Participant in Shares during the first three months of the first Fiscal Year commencing after the end of such Long-Term Performance Period.  The conversion of dollar amounts into Shares will be based on the market value of a Share on the first day of the relevant Long-Term Performance Period. Shares will be issued from the Stock Option Plan.

 

  

  

  

 

6.3          Change of Control.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere herein, if a Change of Control shall occur, (a) each Long-Term Performance Period that has not yet ended shall end as of the date the Change of Control occurs and Awards shall be calculated for each such Long-Term Performance Period as of such date based on the Company's performance through such date and (b) all Participants who are employed by the Company on the date the Change of Control occurs shall receive a pro rata Award based on such shortened Long-Term Performance Period (or, in the discretion of the Committee, the cash value of such pro rata Award), if any, as soon as practicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Participant has a Termination Event within six months after such Change of Control and such Termination Event is in connection with such Change of Control, then such Participant shall be entitled to an additional Award under this Plan at such time in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the amount determined pursuant to the preceding sentence (assuming the amount in (a) was calculated based on Superior Target), over the amount determined pursuant to the preceding sentence (assuming the amount in (a) was calculated based on the Company's actual performance.

 

7.      Forfeiture; Retirement.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant whose employment with the Company terminates for any reason (other than Retirement) prior to the actual payment of the Awards under Section 6.2 above shall forfeit all rights to the Target Award which might otherwise have been granted to him. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant whose employment with the Company terminates due to such Participant's Retirement prior to the actual payment of the Awards under Section 6.2 above shall receive a pro rata Award.  Such Award shall be based on the entire Long-Term Performance Period and shall be pro-rated based on the portion of the relevant Long-Term Performance Period during which such Participant was an employee of the Company.  Any such pro rata Award shall be paid during the first three months of the first Fiscal Year commencing after the end of such Long-Term Performance Period.

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Participant's separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Participant is considered a "specified employee" within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and if any payment that the Participant becomes entitled to under this Plan is considered deferred compensation subject to interest, penalties and additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then no such payment shall be payable prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months after the Participant’s separation from service, or (ii) the participant's death.  It is intended that this Plan will be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

8.      Amendment or Termination of Plan.  The Company may amend or terminate this Plan at any time or from time to time; provided however, that no such amendment or termination shall, without the written consent of the Participants, affect the rights of a Participant in any material adverse way with respect to benefits earned prior to the date of the amendment or termination.

 

  

  

  

 

9.      Limitation of Company's Liability. Subject to its obligation to make payments as provided for hereunder, neither the Company nor any person acting on behalf of the Company shall be liable for any act performed or the failure to perform any act with respect to this Plan, except in the event that there has been a judicial determination of willful misconduct on the part of the Company or such person.  The Company is under no obligation to fund any of the payments required to be made hereunder in advance of their actual payment or to establish any reserves with respect to this Plan.  Any benefits which become payable hereunder shall be paid from the general assets of the Company.  No Participant, beneficiary or beneficiaries, shall have any right, other than the right of an unsecured general creditor, against the Company in respect of the benefits to be paid hereunder.

 

10.      Withholding of Tax.  Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, all payments of Awards required to be made by the Company hereunder shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts as the Company reasonably may determine that it is required to withhold pursuant to applicable federal, state or local law or regulation.  Withholding will be made in the form of Shares unless expressly indicated otherwise by the Participant.

 

11.      Assignability.  Except as otherwise provided by law, no benefit hereunder shall be assignable, or subject to alienation, garnishment, execution or levy of any kind, and any attempt to cause any benefit to be so subject shall be void.

 

12.      No Contract for Continuing Services.  This Plan shall not be construed as creating any contract for continued services between the Company and any Participant and nothing herein contained shall give any Participant the right to be retained as an employee of the Company.

 

13.      Governing Law. This Plan shall be construed, administered, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine.

 

14.      Non-Exclusivity.  The Plan does not limit the authority of the Company, the Committee, or any subsidiary of the Company, to grant Awards or authorize any other compensation under any other plan or authority, including, without limitation, awards or other compensation based on the same Performance Measure used under the Plan.

 

	  	  	  
	  	  	
CAMDEN NATIONAL CORPORATION

	 	 	 
	
Witness: _______________________

	  	
By: _______________________________

	 	 	 
	  	  	
Its CEO and President

	 	 	 
	  	  	
Date: ______________________________a6660462ex4_1.htm

EXHIBIT 4.1

 

POKERTEK, INC.

2009 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Definitions

In addition to other terms defined herein, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:

(a) Administrator means the Board, and, upon its delegation of all or part of its authority to administer the Plan to the Committee, the Committee.

(b) Affiliate means any Parent or Subsidiary of the Corporation, and also includes any other business entity which is controlled by, under common control with or controls the Corporation; provided, however, that the term "Affiliate" shall be construed in a manner in accordance with the registration provisions of applicable federal securities laws and as permitted under Code Section 409A.

(c) Applicable Law or Applicable Laws means any applicable laws, rules or regulations (or similar guidance), including but not limited to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Code.

(d) Award means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of an Option (including an Incentive Option or Nonqualified Option); a Stock Appreciation Right (including a Related SAR or a Freestanding SAR); a Restricted Award (including a Restricted Stock Award or a Restricted Unit Award); a Performance Award (including a Performance Share Award or a Performance Unit Award); a Phantom Stock Award; a Dividend Equivalent Award; or any other award granted under the Plan.

(e) Award Agreement means an agreement (which may be in written or electronic form, in the Administrator's discretion, and which includes any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Corporation and a Participant specifying the terms, conditions and restrictions of an Award granted to the Participant. An Award Agreement may also state such other terms, conditions and restrictions, including but not limited to terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to shares or any other benefit underlying an Award, as may be established by the Administrator.

(f) Board or Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

(g) Cause means, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, a Participant's termination of employment or service resulting from the Participant's (i) termination for "cause" as defined under the Participant's employment, consulting or other agreement with the Corporation or an Affiliate, if any, or (ii) if the Participant has not entered into any such employment, consulting or other agreement (or if any such agreement does not address the effect of a "cause" termination), then the Participant's termination shall be for "Cause" if termination results due to the Participant's (A) dishonesty; (B) refusal to perform his duties for the Corporation or continued failure to perform his duties to the Corporation in a manner acceptable to the Corporation, as determined by the Administrator or its designee; (C) engaging in fraudulent conduct; or (D) engaging in any conduct that could be materially damaging to the Corporation without a reasonable good faith belief that such conduct was in the best interest of the Corporation. The determination of "Cause" shall be made by the Administrator and its determination shall be final and conclusive. Without in any way limiting the effect of the foregoing, for purposes of the Plan and an Award, a Participant’s employment or service shall be deemed to have terminated for Cause if, after the Participant’s employment or service has terminated, facts and circumstances indicate that, in the Administrator’s opinion, the Participant’s termination was for Cause.

(h) Change in Control :

(i) General : Except as may be otherwise provided in an individual Award Agreement or as may be otherwise required in order to comply with Code Section 409A, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the earliest of the following dates:

 

(A) The date any entity or person shall have become the beneficial owner of, or shall have obtained voting control over, fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation;

  

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(B) The date the shareholders of the Corporation approve a definitive agreement (X) to merge, consolidate or reorganize the Corporation with or into another corporation or other business entity (each, a "corporation"), in which the Corporation is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which any shares of Common Stock of the Corporation would be converted into cash, securities or other property of another corporation, in each case other than a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Corporation in which the holders of Common Stock immediately prior to the merger, consolidation or reorganization continue to own immediately after the merger, consolidation or reorganization at least fifty percent (50%) of Common Stock, or, if the Corporation is not the surviving corporation, the common stock (or other voting securities) of the surviving corporation; provided, however, that if consummation of such merger, consolidation or reorganization is subject to the approval of federal, state or other regulatory or other authorities, then, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, a "Change in Control" shall not be deemed to occur until the later of the date of shareholder approval of such merger, consolidation or reorganization or the date of final regulatory or other approvals of such merger, consolidation or reorganization; or (Y) to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation or (Z) a plan of complete liquidation or winding up of the Corporation; or

(C) The date there shall have been a change in a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation within a 12-month period unless the nomination for election by the Corporation's shareholders of each new Director was approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board (or a committee of the Board, if nominations are approved by a Board committee rather than the Board) then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 12-month period.

(D) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred in the event the Corporation forms a holding company as a result of which the holders of the Corporation’s voting securities immediately prior to the transaction hold, in approximately the same relative proportions as they hold prior to the transaction, substantially all of the voting securities of a holding company owning all of the Corporation’s voting securities after the completion of the transaction.

(For the purposes herein, the term "person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, group, association or other person, as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than the Corporation, a subsidiary of the Corporation or any employee benefit plan(s) sponsored or maintained by the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, and the term "beneficial owner" shall have the meaning given the term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.)

(E) The Administrator shall have full and final authority, in its discretion, to determine whether a Change in Control of the Corporation has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.

(ii) Definition Applicable to Awards subject to Code Section 409A : Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of Section 1(h)(i), in the event that any Awards granted under the Plan are deemed to be deferred compensation subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A, then distributions related to such Awards may be permitted, in the Administrator's discretion, upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events (as they are defined and interpreted under Code Section 409A: (A) a change in the ownership of the Corporation, (B) a change in effective control of the Corporation, or (C) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation.

(i) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference herein to a specific Code section shall be deemed to include all related regulations or other guidance with respect to such Code section.

(j) Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board which may be appointed to administer the Plan.

(k) Common Stock means the common stock of PokerTek, Inc., together with any successor securities thereto.

 

 (l) Corporation means PokerTek, Inc., a North Carolina corporation, together with any successor thereto.

(m) Covered Employee shall have the meaning given the term in Code Section 162(m).

(n) Director means a member of the Board or of the board of directors of an Affiliate.

(o) Disability shall, except as may be otherwise determined by the Administrator or required or permitted under Code Section 409A, have the meaning given in any employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement, if any, to which a Participant is a party, or, if there is no such agreement (or if any such agreement does not address the effect of termination due to disability), "Disability" shall mean the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The Administrator shall have discretion to determine if a termination due to Disability has occurred.

  

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(p) Displacement shall, as applied to any Participant, be as defined in any employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement, if any, to which the Participant is a party, or, if there is no such agreement (or if any such agreement does not address the effect of a termination due to displacement), "Displacement" shall mean the termination of the Participant's employment or service due to the elimination of the Participant's job or position without fault on the part of the Participant (as determined by the Administrator).

(q) Dividend Equivalent Award means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 12 to receive the equivalent value (in cash or shares of Common Stock) of dividends paid on Common Stock.

(r) Effective Date means the effective date of the Plan, as provided in Section 4.

(s) Employee means any person who is an employee of the Corporation or any Affiliate (including entities which become Affiliates after the Effective Date of the Plan). For this purpose, an individual shall be considered to be an Employee only if there exists between the individual and the Corporation or an Affiliate the legal and bona fide relationship of employer and employee (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A); provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Options, "Employee" means any person who is considered an employee of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary for purposes of Treas. Reg. Section 1.421-1(h) (or any successor provision related thereto).

(t) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(u) Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock shall be established in good faith by the Administrator and, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions: (A) if the shares of Common Stock are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price per share of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market (as applicable) on the date an Option is granted or other determination is made (such date of determination being referred to herein as a "valuation date"), or, if there is no transaction on such date, then on the trading date nearest preceding the valuation date for which closing price information is available, and, provided further, if the shares are not listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the average between the highest bid and lowest asked prices for such stock on the date of grant or other valuation date as reported on the NASDAQ OTC Bulletin Board Service or by the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated or a comparable service; or (B) if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or reported in any of the foregoing, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator based on such valuation measures or other factors as it deems appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) with respect to the grant of Incentive Options, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 20.2031-2 of the Federal Estate Tax Regulations, or in any other manner consistent with the Code Section 422; and (ii) Fair Market Value shall be determined in accordance with Section 409A to the extent required.

(v) Freestanding SAR means an SAR that is granted without relation to an Option, as provided in Section 8.

 

 (w) Incentive Option means an Option that is designated by the Administrator as an Incentive Option pursuant to Section 7 and intended to meet the requirements of incentive stock options under Code Section 422.

(x) Independent Contractor means an independent contractor, consultant or advisor providing services to the Corporation or an Affiliate.

(y) Nonqualified Option means an Option granted under Section 7 that is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Code Section 422.

(z) Option means a stock option granted under Section 7 that entitles the holder to purchase from the Corporation a stated number of shares of Common Stock at the price set forth in an Award Agreement.

(aa) Option Period means the term of an Option, as provided in Section 7(d)(i).

(bb) Option Price means the price at which an Option may be exercised, as provided in Section 7(b).

  

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(cc) Parent means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

(dd) Participant means an individual employed by, or providing services to, the Corporation or an Affiliate who satisfies the requirements of Section 6 and is selected by the Administrator to receive an Award under the Plan.

(ee) Performance Award means a Performance Share Award and/or a Performance Unit Award, as provided in Section 10.

(ff) Performance Measures mean one or more performance factors which may be established by the Administrator with respect to an Award. Performance factors may be based on such corporate, business unit or division and/or individual performance factors and criteria as the Administrator in its discretion may deem appropriate; provided, however, that, for any Awards intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m), then such performance factors shall be limited to one or more of the following (as determined by the Administrator in its discretion): (i) earnings per share; (ii) net income (before or after taxes); (iii) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, equity or sales); (iv) cash flow; (v) earnings before or after taxes, depreciation and/or amortization; (vi) gross revenues; (vii) operating income (before or after taxes); (viii) total shareholder returns; (ix) achievement of division, group, function and/or corporate performance, financial, strategic or operational goals; (x) cash generation, profit and/or revenue targets, (xi) growth measures, including revenue growth, as compared with a peer group or other benchmark(s); (xii) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return); and/or (xiii) pre-tax profits. If and to the extent that Code Section 162(m) is applicable, the Administrator shall, within the time and in the manner prescribed by Code Section 162(m), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Measures it selects to use for Participants during any specific performance period and determine whether such Performance Measures have been met. Such performance factors may be adjusted or modified due to extraordinary items, transactions, events or developments, or in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Corporation or the financial statements of the Corporation, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in Applicable Laws, accounting principles or business conditions, in each case as determined by the Administrator. In addition, for any Awards not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m), the Administrator may establish goals based on such other performance criteria as it deems appropriate (and such additional criteria shall be considered “Performance Measures” for the purposes of the Plan).

(gg) Performance Share means an Award granted under Section 10, in an amount determined by the Administrator and specified in an Award Agreement, stated with reference to a specified number of shares of Common Stock, that entitles the holder to receive shares of Common Stock, a cash payment or a combination of Common Stock and cash (as determined by the Administrator), subject to the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Administrator.

(hh) Performance Unit means an Award granted under Section 10, in an amount determined by the Administrator and specified in an Award Agreement, that entitles the holder to receive Shares of Common Stock, a cash payment or a combination of Common Stock and cash (as determined by the Administrator), subject to the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Administrator.

 

(ii) Phantom Stock Award means an Award granted under Section 11, entitling a Participant to a payment in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and Common Stock (as determined by the Administrator), following the completion of the applicable vesting period and compliance with the terms of the Plan, an Award Agreement and any other terms and conditions established by the Administrator. The unit value of a Phantom Stock Award shall be based on the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock.

(jj) Plan means the PokerTek, Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, as it may be hereafter amended and/or restated.

(kk) Prior Plan or Prior Plans means the PokerTek, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and the PokerTek, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as such plans may be amended and/or restated, and any other stock incentive plan maintained by the Corporation prior to the Effective Date of the Plan.

(ll) Related SAR means an SAR granted under Section 8 that is granted in relation to a particular Option and that can be exercised only upon the surrender to the Corporation, unexercised, of that portion of the Option to which the SAR relates.

(mm) Restricted Award means a Restricted Stock Award and/or a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as provided in Section 9.

  

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(nn) Restricted Stock Award means shares of Common Stock awarded to a Participant under Section 9. Shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall cease to be restricted when, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Administrator, the shares vest and become transferable and free of substantial risks of forfeiture.

(oo) Restricted Stock Unit means a Restricted Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9 which is settled (i) by the delivery of one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit, (ii) in cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit, or (iii) in a combination of cash and Shares equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit, as determined by the Administrator. A Restricted Stock Unit Award represents the promise of the Corporation to deliver shares, cash or a combination thereof, as applicable, upon vesting of the Award and compliance with such other terms and conditions as may be determined by the Administrator.

(pp) Retirement shall, as applied to any Participant, be as defined in any employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement, if any, to which the Participant is a party, or, if there is no such agreement (or if any such agreement does address the effect of termination due to retirement), "Retirement" shall mean retirement in accordance with the retirement policies and procedures established by the Corporation, as determined by the Administrator and, where applicable, in accordance with Code Section 409A.

(qq) SAR means a stock appreciation right granted under Section 8 entitling the Participant to receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock encompassed by the exercise of such SAR, the excess of the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over the SAR base price, subject to the terms of the Plan and any other terms and conditions established by the Administrator. References to "SARs" include both Related SARs and Freestanding SARs, unless the context requires otherwise.

(rr) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(ss) Subsidiary means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

(tt) Termination Date means the date of termination of a Participant's employment or service for any reason, as determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

2. Purpose

The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable selected Employees, Directors and Independent Contractors of the Corporation and its Affiliates to acquire or to increase their holdings of Common Stock of the Corporation and other equity-based interests in the Corporation in order to promote a closer identification of their interests with those of the Corporation and its shareholders, thereby further stimulating their efforts to enhance the efficiency, soundness, profitability, growth and shareholder value of the Corporation. This purpose may be carried out through the grant of Awards to selected Employees, Directors and Independent Contractors, which may include the grant to selected Participants of Options in the form of Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Options; SARs in the form of Related SARs and Freestanding SARs; Restricted Awards in the form of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units; Performance Awards in the form of Performance Shares and Performance Units; Phantom Stock Awards; and/or Dividend Equivalent Awards.

3. Administration of the Plan

(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or, upon delegation of all or part of its authority to administer the Plan to the Committee, by the Committee. Unless the Board determines otherwise, the Committee shall be comprised solely of two or more "non-employee directors," as such term is defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, or as may otherwise be permitted under Rule 16b-3. Further, if and to the extent required by Code Section 162(m), the Plan shall be administered by a committee comprised of two or more "outside directors" (as such term is defined in Code Section 162(m)) or as may otherwise be permitted under Code Section 162(m). For the purposes of the Plan, the term "Administrator" shall refer to the Board and, upon its delegation to the Committee of all or part of its authority to administer the Plan, to the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall have sole authority to grant Awards to Directors who are not Employees of the Corporation or its Affiliates.

  

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(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator shall have full and final authority in its discretion to take any action with respect to the Plan including, without limitation, the authority (i) to determine all matters relating to Awards, including selection of individuals to be granted Awards, the types of Awards, the number of shares of the Common Stock, if any, subject to an Award, and all terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations of an Award; (ii) to prescribe the form or forms of Award Agreements evidencing any Awards granted under the Plan; (iii) to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan; and (iv) to construe and interpret the Plan, Awards and Award Agreements made under the Plan, to interpret rules and regulations for administering the Plan and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. The Administrator’s authority to grant Awards and authorize payments or distributions under the Plan shall not in any way restrict the authority of the Administrator to grant compensation to eligible persons under any other compensation plan, arrangement or program of the Corporation. Except to the otherwise required under Code Section 409A, (i) the Administrator shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to accelerate the date that any Award which was not otherwise exercisable, vested or earned shall become exercisable, vested or earned in whole or in part without any obligation to accelerate such date with respect to any other Award granted to any recipient; and (ii) the Administrator also may in its sole discretion modify or extend the terms and conditions for exercise, vesting or earning of an Award. The Administrator may determine that a Participant's rights, payments and/or benefits with respect to an Award (including but not limited to any shares issued or issuable and/or cash paid or payable with respect to an Award) shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of employment or service for cause, violation of policies of the Corporation or an Affiliate, breach of non-solicitation, noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is determined by the Administrator to be detrimental to the business or reputation of the Corporation or any Affiliate. In addition, the Administrator shall have the authority and discretion to establish terms and conditions of Awards (including but not limited to the establishment of subplans) as the Administrator determines to be necessary or appropriate to conform to the applicable requirements or practices of jurisdictions outside of the United States. In addition to action by meeting in accordance with Applicable Laws, any action of the Administrator with respect to the Plan may be taken by a written instrument signed by all of the members of the Board or Committee, as appropriate, and any such action so taken by written consent shall be as fully effective as if it had been taken by a majority of the members at a meeting duly held and called. No member of the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall be liable while acting in a Plan administrative capacity for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, an Award or an Award Agreement. The members of the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement in the manner provided in the Corporation's articles of incorporation and bylaws and/or under Applicable Laws.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the other provisions of Section 3, the Administrator may delegate to one or more senior executive officers of the Corporation the authority to grant Awards, and to make any or all of the determinations reserved for the Administrator in the Plan and summarized in Section 3(b) with respect to such Awards (subject to any restrictions imposed by Applicable Laws, and such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator); provided, however, that, if and to the extent required by Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Code Section 162(m), the Participant, at the time of said grant or other determination, (i) is not deemed to be an officer or director of the Corporation within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act; and (ii) is not deemed to be a Covered Employee as defined under Code Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator has delegated authority to grant Awards pursuant to this Section 3(c) to one or more senior executive officers of the Corporation, references to the Administrator shall include references to such officer or officers, subject, however, to the requirements of the Plan, Rule 16b-3, Code Section 162(m) and other Applicable Laws.

4. Effective Date

The Effective Date of the Plan shall be September 3, 2009. Awards may be granted under the Plan on and after the Effective Date, but not after September 2, 2019. Awards that are outstanding at the end of the Plan term (or such earlier termination date as may be established by the Board pursuant to Section 14(a)) shall continue in accordance with their terms, unless otherwise provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement.

5. Shares of Stock Subject to the Plan; Award Limitations

(a) Shares of Stock Subject to the Plan : Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 5(d), the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall not exceed the sum of (i) 1,000,000 shares, plus (ii) any shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance as of the Effective Date of the Plan under any Prior Plan, plus (iii) any shares of Common Stock subject to an award granted under a Prior Plan, which award is forfeited, cancelled, terminated, expires or lapses for any reason without the issuance of shares pursuant to the award or shares subject to an award granted under a Prior Plan which shares are forfeited to, or repurchased or reacquired by, the Corporation. Shares delivered under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued shares or shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase. The Corporation hereby reserves sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock to meet the grant of Awards hereunder.

  

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(b) Award Limitations : Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the following limitations shall apply to Awards granted under the Plan, in each case subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 5(d):

(i) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to the grant of Incentive Options shall not exceed 200,000 shares;

(ii) If and to the extent Section 162(m) of the Code is applicable:

(A) In any calendar year, no Participant may be granted Options and SARs that are not related to an Option for more than 200,000 shares of Common Stock;

(B) No Participant may be granted Awards in any calendar year for more than 200,000 shares of Common Stock; and

(C) No Participant may be paid more than $5,000,000 with respect to any cash-settled award or awards which were granted during any single calendar year.

(For purposes of Section 5(b)(ii)(A) and (B), an Option and Related SAR shall be treated as a single Award.)

(c) Shares Not Subject to Limitations : The following will not be applied to the share limitations of Section 5(a) above: (i) dividends, including dividends paid in shares, or dividend equivalents paid in cash in connection with outstanding Awards; (ii) Awards which are settled in cash rather than the issuance of shares; (iii) any shares subject to an Award under the Plan which Award is forfeited, cancelled, terminated, expires or lapses for any reason without the issuance of shares pursuant to the Award or any shares subject to an Award which shares are forfeited to, or repurchased or reacquired by, the Corporation; and (iv) any shares surrendered by a Participant or withheld by the Corporation to pay the Option Price or purchase price for an Award or shares used to satisfy any tax withholding requirement in connection with the exercise, vesting or earning of an Award if, in accordance with the terms of the Plan, a Participant pays such Option Price or purchase price or satisfies such tax withholding by either tendering previously owned shares or having the Corporation withhold shares.

 

(d) Adjustments : If there is any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock because of a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Corporation or an Affiliate, or if the Board of Directors of the Corporation declares a stock dividend, stock split distributable in shares of Common Stock, reverse stock split, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or if there is a similar change in the capital stock structure of the Corporation or an Affiliate affecting the Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be correspondingly adjusted, and the Administrator shall make such adjustments to Awards and to any provisions of this Plan as the Administrator deems equitable to prevent dilution or enlargement of Awards or as may be otherwise advisable.

6. Eligibility

An Award may be granted only to an individual who satisfies all of the following eligibility requirements on the date the Award is granted:

(a) The individual is either (i) an Employee, (ii) a Director, or (iii) an Independent Contractor.

(b) With respect to the grant of Incentive Options, the individual is otherwise eligible to participate under Section 6, is an Employee of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary and does not own, immediately before the time that the Incentive Option is granted, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary may be granted an Incentive Option if the Option Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, and the Option Period does not exceed five years. For this purpose, an individual will be deemed to own stock which is attributable to him under Code Section 424(d).

(c) With respect to the grant of substitute awards or assumption of awards in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Corporation or an Affiliate, the recipient is otherwise eligible to receive the Award and the terms of the award are consistent with the Plan and Applicable Laws (including, to the extent necessary, the federal securities laws registration provisions and Code Section 424(a)).

  

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(d) The individual, being otherwise eligible under this Section 6, is selected by the Administrator as an individual to whom an Award shall be granted (as defined above, a "Participant").

7. Options

(a) Grant of Options: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may in its sole and absolute discretion grant Options to such eligible individuals in such numbers, subject to such terms and conditions, and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. Both Incentive Options and Nonqualified Options may be granted under the Plan, as determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that Incentive Options may only be granted to Employees of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary. To the extent that an Option is designated as an Incentive Option but does not qualify as such under Code Section 422, the Option (or portion thereof) shall be treated as a Nonqualified Option. An Option may be granted with or without a Related SAR.

(b) Option Price: The Option Price shall be established by the Administrator and stated in the Award Agreement evidencing the grant of the Option; provided, that (i) the Option Price of an Option shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock as determined on the date the Option is granted (or 110% of the Fair Market Value with respect to Incentive Options granted to an Employee who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary, as provided in Section 6(b)); and (ii) in no event shall the Option Price per share of any Option be less than the par value per share (if any) of the Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may in its discretion authorize the grant of substitute or assumed options of an acquired entity with an Option Price not equal to at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, if the option price of any such assumed or substituted option was at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the original date of grant and if the terms of such assumed or substituted options otherwise comply with Code Section 409A.

 

(c) Date of Grant: An Option shall be considered to be granted on the date that the Administrator acts to grant the Option, or on such other date as may be established by the Administrator in accordance with Applicable Laws.

(d) Option Period and Limitations on the Right to Exercise Options:

(i) The Option Period shall be determined by the Administrator at the time the Option is granted and shall be stated in the Award Agreement. With respect to Incentive Options, the Option Period shall not extend more than 10 years from the date on which the Option is granted (or five years with respect to Incentive Options granted to an Employee who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary, as provided in Section 6(b)). Any Option or portion thereof not exercised before expiration of the Option Period shall terminate. The period or periods during which, and conditions pursuant to which, an Option may become exercisable shall be determined by the Administrator in its discretion, subject to the terms of the Plan.

(ii) An Option may be exercised by giving written notice to the Corporation in form acceptable to the Administrator at such place and subject to such conditions as may be established by the Administrator or its designee. Such notice shall specify the number of shares to be purchased pursuant to an Option and the aggregate purchase price to be paid therefor and shall be accompanied by payment of such purchase price. The total number of shares that may be acquired upon exercise of an Option shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. No fractional shares shall be issued. Unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise, such payment shall be in the form of cash or cash equivalent; provided that, where permitted by the Administrator and Applicable Laws (and subject to such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator), payment may also be made:

(A) By delivery (by either actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant;

(B) By shares of Common Stock withheld upon exercise;

(C) With respect only to purchases upon exercise of an Option when a public market for the Common Stock exists, by delivery of written notice of exercise to the Corporation and delivery to a broker of written notice of exercise and irrevocable instructions to promptly deliver to the Corporation the amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the Option Price;

  

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(D) By such other payment methods as may be approved by the Administrator and which are acceptable under Applicable Laws; or

(E) By any combination of the foregoing methods.

Shares tendered or withheld in payment on the exercise of an Option shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise, as determined in accordance with the Plan. For the purposes of the Plan, a "public market" for the Common Stock shall be deemed to exist (i) upon consummation of a firm commitment underwritten public offering of the Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (ii) if the Administrator otherwise determines that there is an established public market for the Common Stock.

(iii) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, no Option granted to a Participant who was an Employee at the time of grant shall be exercised unless the Participant is, at the time of exercise, an Employee, and has been an Employee continuously since the date the Option was granted, subject to the following:

(A) The employment relationship of a Participant shall be treated as continuing intact for any period that the Participant is on military or sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence, provided that the period of such leave does not exceed three months, or, if longer, as long as the Participant's right to reemployment is guaranteed either by statute or by contract. The employment relationship of a Participant shall also be treated as continuing intact while the Participant is not in active service because of Disability. The Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether a Participant is disabled and, if applicable, the Participant's Termination Date.

 

(B) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), if the employment of a Participant is terminated because of Disability or death, the Option may be exercised only to the extent exercisable on the Participant's Termination Date, except that the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A) accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of the Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date. The Option must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, whichever shall be applicable: (X) the close of the one-year period following the Termination Date (or such other period stated in the Award Agreement); or (Y) the close of the Option Period. In the event of the Participant's death, such Option shall be exercisable by such person or persons as shall have acquired the right to exercise the Option by will or by the laws of intestate succession.

(C) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), if the employment of the Participant is terminated for any reason other than Disability, death or for "Cause," his Option may be exercised only to the extent exercisable on his Termination Date, except that the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A) accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of the Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date. The Option must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, whichever shall be applicable: (X) the close of the period of three months next succeeding the Termination Date (or such other period stated in the Award Agreement); or (Y) the close of the Option Period. If the Participant dies following such termination of employment and prior to the earlier of the dates specified in (X) or (Y) of this subparagraph (C), the Participant shall be treated as having died while employed under subparagraph (B) (treating for this purpose the Participant's date of termination of employment as the Termination Date). In the event of the Participant's death, such Option shall be exercisable by such person or persons as shall have acquired the right to exercise the Option by will or by the laws of intestate succession.

(D) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), if the employment of the Participant is terminated for "Cause," his Option shall lapse and no longer be exercisable as of his Termination Date, as determined by the Administrator.

(E) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of an Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date, extend the period during which an Option may be exercised, modify the terms and conditions to exercise, or any combination of the foregoing.

(iv) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), an Option granted to a Participant who was a Director but who was not an Employee at the time of grant may be exercised only to the extent exercisable on the Participant's Termination Date (unless the termination was for Cause), and must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, as applicable: (X) the close of the period of three months next succeeding the Termination Date (or such other period stated in the Award Agreement); or (Y) the close of the Option Period. If the services of a Participant are terminated for Cause, his Option shall lapse and no longer be exercisable as of his Termination Date, as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A) accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of an Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date, extend the period during which an Option may be exercised, modify the other terms and conditions to exercise, or any combination of the foregoing.

  

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(v) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), an Option granted to a Participant who was an Independent Contractor at the time of grant (and who does not thereafter become an Employee, in which case he shall be subject to the provisions of Section 7(d)(iii)) may be exercised only to the extent exercisable on the Participant's Termination Date (unless the termination was for Cause), and must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, as applicable: (X) the close of the period of three months next succeeding the Termination Date (or such other period stated in the Award Agreement); or (Y) the close of the Option Period. If the services of a Participant are terminated for Cause, his Option shall lapse and no longer be exercisable as of his Termination Date, as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A) accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of an Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date, extend the period during which an Option may be exercised, modify the other terms and conditions to exercise, or any combination of the foregoing.

 

(e) Notice of Disposition : If shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Option are disposed of within two years following the date of grant or one year following the transfer of such shares to a Participant upon exercise, the Participant shall, promptly following such disposition, notify the Corporation in writing of the date and terms of such disposition and provide such other information regarding the disposition as the Administrator may reasonably require.

(f) Limitation on Incentive Options : In no event shall there first become exercisable by an Employee in any one calendar year Incentive Options granted by the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary with respect to shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time an Incentive Option is granted) greater than $100,000. To the extent that any Incentive Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered a Nonqualified Option.

(g) Nontransferability : Incentive Options shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession or, in the Administrator's discretion, as may otherwise be permitted in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.421-1(b)(2) or any successor provision thereto. Nonqualified Options shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, except as may be permitted by the Administrator in a manner consistent with the registration provisions of the Securities Act or by a transferee in a transfer permitted by this Section 7(g). Except as may be permitted by the preceding sentence, an Option shall be exercisable during the Participant's lifetime only by him or by his guardian or legal representative. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with the Plan does not constitute a transfer.

(h) Power to Reprice Incentive Options and Nonqualified Options : The Administrator shall have the power to change the Option Price of any Incentive Option or Nonqualified Option granted under the Plan after the date of grant, provided that the exercise of such power is part of a negotiated transaction or series of transactions with a limited number of Option holders or the exercise of such power complies with the “issuer tender offer” rules within the meaning of Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act or otherwise complies with applicable law. For this purpose, “repricing” of Options shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following actions (or any similar action): (1) lowering the Option Price of an existing Option; (2) any action which would be treated as a “repricing” under generally accepted accounting principles; or (3) canceling of an existing Option at a time when its Option Price exceeds the fair market value of the underlying stock subject to such Option, in exchange for another Option, or other equity in the Company.

8. Stock Appreciation Rights

(a) Grant of SARs: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may in its sole and absolute discretion grant SARs to such eligible individuals, in such numbers, upon such terms and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. SARs may be granted to the holder of an Option (a "Related Option") with respect to all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Related Option (a "Related SAR") or may be granted separately to an eligible individual (a "Freestanding SAR"). The base price per share of an SAR shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date the SAR is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may in its discretion authorize the grant of substitute or assumed SARs of an acquired entity with a base price per share not equal to at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the stock on the date of grant, if the base price of any such assumed or substituted SAR was at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the original date of grant and if the terms of such assumed or substituted SAR otherwise comply with Code Section 409A.

  

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(b) Related SARs: A Related SAR may be granted either concurrently with the grant of the Related Option or (if the Related Option is a Nonqualified Option) at any time thereafter prior to the complete exercise, termination, expiration or cancellation of such Related Option; provided, however, that Related SARs must be granted in accordance with Code Section 409A. The base price of a Related SAR shall be equal to the Option Price of the Related Option. Related SARs shall be exercisable only at the time and to the extent that the Related Option is exercisable (and may be subject to such additional limitations on exercisability as the Administrator may provide in the Award Agreement), and in no event after the complete termination or full exercise of the Related Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Related SAR that is related to an Incentive Option may be exercised only to the extent that the Related Option is exercisable and only when the Fair Market Value exceeds the Option Price of the Related Option. Upon the exercise of a Related SAR granted in connection with a Related Option, the Option shall be canceled to the extent of the number of shares as to which the Related SAR is exercised, and upon the exercise of a Related Option, the Related SAR shall be canceled to the extent of the number of shares as to which the Related Option is exercised or surrendered.

 

(c) Freestanding SARs: An SAR may be granted without relationship to an Option (as defined above, a "Freestanding SAR") and, in such case, will be exercisable upon such terms and subject to such conditions as may be determined by the Administrator, subject to the terms of the Plan.

(d) Exercise of SARs:

 (i) Subject to the terms of the Plan, SARs shall be exercisable in whole or in part upon such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator and stated in the applicable Award Agreement. The period during which an SAR may be exercisable shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant or, in the case of Related SARs, such shorter Option Period as may apply to the Related Option. Any SAR or portion thereof not exercised before expiration of the period established by the Administrator shall terminate.

(ii) SARs may be exercised by giving written notice to the Corporation in form acceptable to the Administrator at such place and subject to such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator or its designee. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the date of exercise of an SAR shall mean the date on which the Corporation shall have received proper notice from the Participant of the exercise of such SAR.

(iii) Each Participant's Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise an SAR following termination of the Participant's employment or service with the Corporation. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to this Section 8, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, no SAR may be exercised unless the Participant is, at the time of exercise, an eligible Participant, as described in Section 6, and has been a Participant continuously since the date the SAR was granted, subject to the provisions of Sections 7(d)(iii), (iv) and (v).

(e) Payment Upon Exercise: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, upon the exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Corporation in an amount determined by multiplying (i) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the base price of the SAR by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the SAR is being exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator in its discretion may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to an SAR. The consideration payable upon exercise of an SAR shall be paid in cash, whole shares of Common Stock (valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR) or a combination of cash and whole shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator. No fractional shares shall be issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent required to ensure that an SAR is not subject to, or complies with, Code Section 409A, (i) an SAR shall be settled solely for shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, which Common Stock is traded on an established securities market, and which SAR does not include any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the exercise of the SAR; or (ii) an SAR shall be structured in a manner designed to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A.

(f) Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, (i) SARs shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, and (ii) SARs may be exercised during the Participant's lifetime only by him or by his guardian or legal representative. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with the Plan does not constitute a transfer.

 

  

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9. Restricted Awards

(a) Grant of Restricted Awards: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may in its sole and absolute discretion grant Restricted Awards to such individuals in such numbers, upon such terms and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. Such Restricted Awards may be in the form of Restricted Stock Awards and/or Restricted Stock Units that are subject to certain conditions, which conditions must be met in order for the Restricted Award to vest and be earned (in whole or in part) and no longer subject to forfeiture. Restricted Stock Awards shall be payable in whole shares of Common Stock. Restricted Stock Units shall be payable in cash or whole shares of Common Stock, or partly in cash and partly in whole shares of Common Stock, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the discretion of the Administrator. No fractional shares shall be issued. The Administrator shall determine the nature, length and starting date of the period, if any, during which a Restricted Award may be earned (the " Restriction Period "), and shall determine the conditions which must be met in order for a Restricted Award to be granted or to vest or be earned (in whole or in part), which conditions may include, but are not limited to, payment of a stipulated purchase price, attainment of performance objectives, continued service or employment for a certain period of time (or a combination of attainment of performance objectives and continued service), Retirement, Displacement, Disability, death or any combination of such conditions. In the case of Restricted Awards based upon performance criteria, or a combination of performance criteria and continued service, the Administrator shall determine the Performance Measures applicable to such Restricted Awards (subject to Section 1(ff)) and, to the extent applicable, Section 18(d)).

(b) Vesting of Restricted Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan and Code Section 409A, the Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether and to what degree Restricted Awards have vested and been earned and are payable and to establish and interpret the terms and conditions of Restricted Awards. The Administrator may (subject to any restrictions imposed under Code Section 409A) accelerate the date that any Restricted Award granted to a Participant shall be deemed to be vested or earned in whole or in part, without any obligation to accelerate such date with respect to other Restricted Awards granted to any Participant.

(c) Forfeiture of Restricted Awards: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, if the employment or service of a Participant shall be terminated for any reason and all or any part of a Restricted Award has not vested or been earned pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the individual Award, such Award, to the extent not then vested or earned, shall be forfeited immediately upon such termination and the Participant shall have no further rights with respect to the Award or any shares of Common Stock, cash or other benefits related to the Award.

(d) Shareholder Rights; Share Certificates: The Administrator shall have sole discretion to determine whether a Participant shall have dividend rights, voting rights or other rights as a shareholder with respect to shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award which has not yet vested or been earned. If the Administrator so determines, a certificate or certificates for whole shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may be issued in the name of the Participant as soon as practicable after the Award has been granted; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall have the right to retain custody of certificates evidencing the shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award and to require the Participant to deliver to the Corporation a stock power or similar instrument, endorsed in blank, with respect to such Award, until such time as the Restricted Stock Award vests (or is forfeited) and is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

(e) Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Restricted Awards that have not vested shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, and the recipient of a Restricted Award shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber shares subject to the Award until the Restriction Period has expired and until all conditions to vesting have been met. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with the Plan does not constitute a transfer.

10. Performance Awards

(a) Grant of Performance Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator may in its discretion grant Performance Awards to such eligible individuals upon such terms and conditions and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. Performance Awards may be in the form of Performance Shares and/or Performance Units. An Award of a Performance Share is a grant of a right to receive shares of Common Stock, the cash value thereof, or a combination thereof (as determined in the Administrator's discretion), which is contingent upon the achievement of performance or other objectives during a specified period and which has a value on the date of grant equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock. An Award of a Performance Unit is a grant of a right to receive shares of Common Stock, a designated dollar value amount of Common Stock or a combination thereof (as determined in the Administrator’s discretion), which is contingent upon the achievement of performance or other objectives during a specified period, and which has an initial value determined in a dollar amount established by the Administrator at the time of grant. Subject to Section 5(b), the Administrator shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares granted to any Participant. The Administrator shall determine the nature, length and starting date of the period during which a Performance Award may be earned (the " Performance Period "), and shall determine the conditions which must be met in order for a Performance Award to be granted or to vest or be earned (in whole or in part), which conditions may include but are not limited to specified performance objectives, continued service or employment for a period of time, or a combination of such conditions. The Administrator shall determine the Performance Measures to be used in valuing Performance Awards (subject to Section 1(ff) and, to the extent applicable, Section 18(d)).

  

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(b) Earning of Performance Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan and the requirements of Code Section 409A, the Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether and to what degree Performance Awards have been earned and are payable and to interpret the terms and conditions of Performance Awards and the provisions of Section 10. The Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may (subject to any restrictions imposed under Code Section 409A) accelerate the date that any Performance Award granted to a Participant shall be deemed to be earned in whole or in part, without any obligation to accelerate such date with respect to other Awards granted to any Participant.

(c) Form of Payment: Payment of the amount to which a Participant shall be entitled upon earning a Performance Award shall be made in cash, whole shares of Common Stock, or a combination of cash and whole shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. Payment shall be made upon such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator.

(d) Forfeiture of Performance Awards: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), if the employment or service of a Participant shall terminate for any reason and the Participant has not earned all or part of a Performance Award pursuant to the terms of the Plan and individual Award, such Award, to the extent not then earned, shall be forfeited immediately upon such termination and the Participant shall have no further rights with respect to the Performance Award or any shares of Common Stock, cash or other benefits related to the Award.

(e) Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Performance Awards that have not been earned shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, and the recipient of a Performance Award shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber any shares subject to the Award until the Performance Period has expired and until the conditions to earning the Award have been met. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with the Plan does not constitute a transfer.

 

11. Phantom Stock Awards

 

(a) Grant of Phantom Stock Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator may in its discretion grant Phantom Stock Awards to such eligible individuals, in such numbers, upon such terms and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. A Phantom Stock Award is an Award to a Participant of a number of hypothetical share units with respect to shares of Common Stock, with a value per unit based on the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock.

(b) Vesting of Phantom Stock Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan and the requirements of Code Section 409A, the Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether and to what degree Phantom Stock Awards have vested and are payable and to interpret the terms and conditions of Phantom Stock Awards.

(c) Forfeiture of Phantom Stock Awards: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), if the employment or service of a Participant shall be terminated for any reason and all or any part of a Phantom Stock Award has not vested and become payable pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the individual Award, such Award, to the extent not then vested or earned, shall be forfeited immediately upon such termination and the Participant shall have no further rights with respect to the Phantom Stock Award or any shares of Common Stock, cash or other benefits related to the Award.

(d) Payment of Phantom Stock Awards: Upon vesting of all or a part of a Phantom Stock Award and satisfaction of such other terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator, the Participant shall be entitled to a payment of an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock with respect to each such Phantom Stock unit which has vested and is payable. Payment may be made, in the discretion of the Administrator, in cash or in whole shares of Common Stock valued at their Fair Market Value on the applicable vesting date or dates (or other date or dates determined by the Administrator), or in a combination thereof. The Administrator may, however, establish a limitation on the amount payable in respect of each share of Phantom Stock. Payment shall be made upon such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator.

 

(e) Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, (i) Phantom Stock Awards that have not vested shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, (ii) Phantom Stock Awards may be exercised during the Participant's lifetime only by him or by his guardian or legal representative, and (iii) shares of Common Stock (if any) subject to a Phantom Stock Award may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered until the Phantom Stock Award has vested and all other conditions established by the Administrator have been met. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with the Plan does not constitute a transfer.

  

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12. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide that Awards granted under the Plan earn dividends or dividend equivalents. Such dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid currently or may be credited to a Participant's account. Any crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents may be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may establish, including reinvestment in additional shares of Common Stock or share equivalents. Notwithstanding the other provisions herein, any dividends or dividend equivalent rights related to an Award shall be structured in a manner so as to avoid causing the Award to be subject to Code Section 409A or shall otherwise be structured so that the Award and dividends or dividend equivalents are in compliance with Code Section 409A.

 

13. No Right or Obligation of Continued Employment or Service

 

Neither the Plan, the grant of an Award nor any other action related to the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employment or service of the Corporation or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Independent Contractor or to interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or an Affiliate to terminate the Participant's employment or service at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, an Award Agreement or as may be determined by the Administrator, all rights of a Participant with respect to an Award shall terminate upon the termination of the Participant's employment or service.

 

14. Amendment and Termination of the Plan and Awards

 

(a) Amendment and Termination: The Plan may be amended, altered, suspended and/or terminated at any time by the Board; provided, however, that (i) approval of an amendment to the Plan by the shareholders of the Corporation shall be required to the extent, if any, that shareholder approval of such amendment is required by Applicable Laws; and (ii) except for adjustments made pursuant to Section 5(d), the base price of any outstanding SAR granted under the Plan may not be decreased after the date of grant, nor may any outstanding SAR granted under the Plan be surrendered to the Corporation as consideration for the grant of a new SAR with a lower base price than the original SAR, without shareholder approval of any such action. Any Award may be amended, altered, suspended and/or terminated at any time by the Administrator, prospectively or retroactively; provided, however, that any such amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of an Award shall not, without the consent of the recipient of an outstanding Award, materially adversely affect the rights of the recipient with respect to the Award.

(b) Unilateral Authority of Administrator to Modify Plan and Awards: Notwithstanding Section 14(a) herein, the following provisions shall apply:

(i) The Administrator shall have unilateral authority to amend the Plan and any Award (without Participant consent and without shareholder approval, unless such shareholder approval is required by Applicable Laws) to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws or changes to Applicable Laws (including but not limited to Code Section 409A and Code Section 422 and federal securities laws).

(ii) The Administrator shall have unilateral authority to make adjustments to the terms and conditions of Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Corporation or any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Corporation or any Affiliate, or of changes in accounting principles, if the Administrator determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable accounting principles.

 

(c) Cash Settlement: Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, an Award or an Award Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator has the unilateral authority (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A) to cause any Award (or portion thereof) granted under the Plan to be canceled in consideration of an alternative award or cash payment of an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, made to the holder of such canceled Award.

 

  

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15. Restrictions on Awards and Shares

(a) General: As a condition to the issuance and delivery of Common Stock hereunder, or the grant of any benefit pursuant to the Plan, the Corporation may require a Participant or other person to become a party to an Award Agreement, other agreement(s) restricting the transfer, purchase or repurchase of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, voting agreement or such other agreements and any other employment agreements, consulting agreements, non-competition agreements, confidentiality agreements, non-solicitation agreements or other similar agreements imposing such restrictions as may be required by the Corporation. In addition, without in any way limiting the effect of the foregoing, each Participant or other holder of shares issued under the Plan shall be permitted to transfer such shares only if such transfer is in accordance with the terms of Section 15 herein, the Award Agreement and/or any other applicable agreements. The acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan by a Participant or any other holder of shares shall be subject to, and conditioned upon, the agreement of the Participant or other holder of such shares to the restrictions described in this Section 15, the Award Agreement and/or any other applicable agreements.

(b) Compliance with Applicable Laws: The Corporation may impose such restrictions on Awards, shares and any other benefits underlying Awards hereunder as it may deem advisable, including without limitation restrictions under the federal securities laws, the requirements of any stock exchange or similar organization and any blue sky, state or foreign securities laws applicable to such securities. Notwithstanding any other Plan or Award Agreement provision to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be obligated to issue, deliver or transfer shares of Common Stock under the Plan, make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan, or take any other action, unless such delivery, distribution or action is in compliance with Applicable Laws (including but not limited to the requirements of the Securities Act). The Corporation may cause a restrictive legend to be placed on any certificate issued pursuant to an Award hereunder in such form as may be prescribed from time to time by Applicable Laws or as may be advised by legal counsel.

 

16. Change in Control

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, and except as may be otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, employment agreement or other agreement between a Participant and the Corporation or required under Code Section 409A, in the event of a Change in Control:

(i) All Options and SARs outstanding as of the date of such Change in Control shall become fully exercisable, whether or not then otherwise exercisable.

(ii) Any restrictions, including but not limited to the Restriction Period, Performance Period, performance criteria and/or vesting conditions applicable to any Restricted Award, Performance Award, Phantom Stock Award and/or Dividend Equivalent Award, shall be deemed to have been met, and such Awards shall become fully vested, earned and payable to the fullest extent of the original grant of the applicable Award.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Change in Control event occurs, then the Administrator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine that any or all Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall not vest or become exercisable on an accelerated basis, if the Corporation or the surviving or acquiring corporation, as the case may be, shall have taken such action, including but not limited to the assumption of Awards granted under the Plan or the grant of substitute awards (in either case, with substantially similar terms or equivalent economic benefits as Awards granted under the Plan), as the Administrator determines to be equitable or appropriate to protect the rights and interests of Participants under the Plan. For the purposes herein, if the Committee is acting as the Administrator authorized to make the determinations provided for in this Section 16(b), the Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, two-thirds of the members of which shall have been Directors of the Corporation prior to the merger, share exchange, reorganization or other business combination affecting the Corporation or an Affiliate.

 

17. Compliance with Code Section 409A

(a) General: Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or an Award to the contrary, if and to the extent that Section 409A of the Code is deemed to apply to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, it is the general intention of the Corporation that the Plan and all such Awards shall, to the extent practicable, comply with Code Section 409A, and the Plan and any such Award shall, to the extent practicable, be construed in accordance therewith. Deferrals pursuant to an Option, an SAR, a Restricted Award or any other Award otherwise exempt from Code Section 409A in a manner that would cause Code Section 409A to apply shall not be permitted unless such deferrals are in compliance with Code Section 409A. Without in any way limiting the effect of the foregoing, in the event that Code Section 409A requires that any special terms, provisions or conditions be included in the Plan or any Award, then such terms, provisions and conditions shall, to the extent practicable, be deemed to be made a part of the Plan or Award, as applicable. Further, in the event that the Plan or any Award shall be deemed not to comply with Code Section 409A, then neither the Corporation, the Administrator nor its or their designees or agents shall be liable to any Participant or other person for actions, decisions or determinations made in good faith.

  

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(b) Specific Terms Applicable to Awards Subject to Code Section 409A: Without limiting the effect of Section 17(a), above, and notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, the following provisions shall, to the extent required under Code Section 409A, apply with respect to Awards deemed to involve the deferral of compensation under Code Section 409A:

(i) Distributions: Distributions may be made with respect to Awards subject to Code Section 409A not earlier than upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (A) separation from service; (B) disability; (C) death; (D) a specified time or pursuant to a fixed schedule; (E) a change in the ownership or effective control of the Corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation; or (F) the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency. Each of the preceding distribution events shall be defined and interpreted in accordance with Code Section 409A.

(ii) Specified Employees: With respect to Participants who are "specified employees" (as defined in Code Section 409A), a distribution due to separation from service may not be made before the date that is six months after the date of separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Participant), except as may be otherwise permitted pursuant to Code Section 409A. To the extent that a Participant is subject to this section and a distribution is to be paid in installments, through an annuity, or in some other manner where payment will be periodic, the Participant shall be paid, during the seventh month following separation from service, the aggregate amount of payments he would have received but for the application of this section; all remaining payments shall be made in their ordinary course.

(iii) No Acceleration: Unless permissible under Code Section 409A, acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment under the Plan that is subject to Code Section 409A is prohibited, except that, to the extent permitted by the Administrator and to the extent such exceptions do not violate Code Section 409A, the following accelerations may be permitted in an Award:

(A) As necessary to fulfill a domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B));

(B) As necessary to comply with a certificate of divestiture (as defined in Code Section 1043(b)(2));

(C) To pay the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax imposed under Code Sections 3101 and 3121(v)(2) on amounts deferred under the Plan (the “FICA Amount”), including the income tax at source on wages imposed under Code Section 3401 on the FICA Amount, and to pay the additional income tax at source of wages attributable to additional Code Section 3401 wages and taxes;

(D) To pay any portion of an Award that is required to be included in income as a result of a violation of Code Section 409A; and

(E) To pay an Award not greater than $10,000, provided that (X) such payment occurs on or before the later of December 31 of the calendar year in which occurs the Participant’s termination of employment or the 15th day of the third month following the Participant’s termination of employment and (Y) all Awards granted the Participant are (or have previously been) terminated on or before the date of payment.

 

(iv) Short-Term Deferrals: Except to the extent otherwise required or permitted under Code Section 409A (and unless an individual Award Agreement or other instrument provides otherwise), distributions pursuant to Awards otherwise subject to Code Section 409A must be made no later than the later of (A) the date that is 2-1/2 months from the end of the Participant's first taxable year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (B) the date that is 2-1/2 months from the end of the Corporation's first taxable year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

 

(v) Deferral Elections:

(A) In the sole discretion of the Administrator, a Participant may be permitted to make an election as to the time or form of any distribution from an Award, provided that, except as specified in (B) and (C) below, such election is made and becomes irrevocable not later than the close of the taxable year preceding the taxable year in which the services for which the Award is granted are to be performed, or at such other time or times as may be permitted under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may cancel a deferral election upon (X) a hardship distribution pursuant to Code Section 401(k), or (Y) upon application for a distribution under section 17(b)(i)(F) (unforeseeable emergency).

  

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(B) In the case of the first year in which the Participant becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, the election described in (A) may be made with respect to services to be performed subsequent to the election within 30 days after the date the Participant becomes eligible to participate in the Plan.

(C) In the case of any performance-based compensation (as that term is defined in Code Section 409A), where such compensation is based on services performed over a period of at least 12 months, the election described in (A) may be made no later than six months before the end of the period.

(D) In the case of any Award subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in Code Section 409A), the election described in (A) may be made within 30 days of the date the Participant first obtains a legally binding right to the Award, provided that the Award requires the Participant to perform at least 12 months of service after such election is made.

(vi) Changes to Elections: To the extent that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, permits a subsequent election to delay a payment or change the form of payment that has been specified under (A), (B) or (C) above, the following provisions shall apply:

(A) Such election may not take effect until 12 months after the date on which the election is made;

(B) Where the payment is to be made for reasons other than death, disability or unforeseeable emergency, as those terms are defined in Section 17(b)(i), above, the first payment with respect to which such election is made must be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made; and

(C) Any election related to a payment based upon a specified term or pursuant to a fixed schedule, as such terms are defined in Section 17(b)(i), above, may not be made less than 12 months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment hereunder.

Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 17(b)(vi) to the contrary and consistent with Code Section 409A, the Administrator may elect, or may allow the Participant to elect, on or before December 31, 2009, the time or form of payment of amounts subject to Code Section 409A, provided that any such election occurring in 2009 shall apply only to amounts that are not otherwise payable in 2009 and does not cause an amount to be paid in 2009 that would not otherwise be payable in that year.

(vii) Delay of Time of Payment: Notwithstanding Section 17(b)(i), above, the payment of any Award shall be delayed for the following reasons:

(A) Where the Corporation reasonably anticipates that any deduction provided to it by payment of the Award to the Participant will be limited or eliminated by Code Section 162(m); in such a case, payment will be made as of the earlier of when the Administrator reasonably anticipates that the Corporation’s deduction under Code Section 162(m) will not be so limited or the calendar year in which the Participant separates from service;

 

(B) Where the Corporation reasonably anticipates the payment of the Award will violate a term of a loan arrangement or any other similar contractual provision and the violation will cause material harm to the Corporation; in such a case, payment will be made at the earliest date at which the Administrator reasonably anticipates that payment will not cause such a violation; and

 

(C) Where the Corporation reasonably anticipates that payment of the Award will violate federal securities laws or other applicable laws; in such a case, payment will be made at the earliest date when the Administrator reasonably anticipates that payment will not cause such a violation.

(viii) Termination of Awards Subject to Code Section 409A: As permitted by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and in accordance with Code Section 409A, the Corporation may terminate an Award that is subject to Code Section 409A and distribute benefits to Participants.

  

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18. General Provisions

(a) Shareholder Rights: Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator (and subject to the provisions of Section 9(d) regarding Restricted Stock Awards), a Participant and his legal representatives, legatees or distributees shall not be deemed to be the holder of any shares subject to an Award and shall not have any rights of a shareholder unless and until certificates for such shares have been issued and delivered to him or them under the Plan. A certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Option or SAR shall be promptly issued in the name of the Participant (or his beneficiary) and distributed to the Participant (or his beneficiary) as soon as practicable following receipt of notice of exercise and, with respect to Options, payment of the Option Price (except as may otherwise be determined by the Corporation in the event of payment of the Option Price pursuant to Section 7(d)(ii)(C)). Except as otherwise provided in Section 9(d) regarding Restricted Stock Awards, a certificate for any shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to a Restricted Award, Performance Award or Phantom Stock Award shall be promptly issued in the name of the Participant (or his beneficiary) and distributed to the Participant (or his beneficiary) after the Award (or portion thereof) has vested or been earned. In no event will the issuance of certificates pursuant to the exercise of Options, settlement of SARs in shares of Common Stock, vesting of Restricted Awards or vesting of other Awards otherwise exempt from Code Section 409A be delayed in a manner that would cause the Award to be construed to involve the deferral of compensation under Code Section 409A unless such deferral is in compliance with Code Section 409A.

(b) Withholding: The Corporation shall withhold all required local, state, federal, foreign and other taxes and any other amount required to be withheld by any governmental authority or law from any amount payable in cash with respect to an Award. Prior to the delivery or transfer of any certificate for shares or any other benefit conferred under the Plan, the Corporation shall require any recipient of an Award to pay to the Corporation in cash the amount of any tax or other amount required by any governmental authority to be withheld and paid over by the Corporation to such authority for the account of such recipient. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may establish procedures to permit a recipient to satisfy such obligation in whole or in part, and any local, state, federal, foreign or other income tax obligations relating to such an Award, by electing (the " election ") to have the Corporation withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares to which the recipient is entitled. The number of shares to be withheld shall have a Fair Market Value as of the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined as nearly equal as possible to (but not exceeding) the amount of such obligations being satisfied. Each election must be made in writing to the Administrator in accordance with election procedures established by the Administrator.

(c) Section 16(b) Compliance: If and to the extent that any Participants in the Plan are subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, it is the general intention of the Corporation that transactions under the Plan by such persons shall comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and that the Plan shall be construed in favor of such Plan transactions meeting the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any successor rules thereto. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may bifurcate the Plan so as to restrict, limit or condition the use of any provision of the Plan to Participants who are officers or directors subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act without so restricting, limiting or conditioning the Plan with respect to other Participants.

 

(d) Code Section 162(m) Performance-Based Compensation: If and to the extent to which Code Section 162(m) is applicable, the Corporation intends that compensation paid under the Plan to Covered Employees will, to the extent practicable, constitute "qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), unless otherwise determined by the Administrator. Accordingly, Awards granted to Covered Employees which are intended to qualify for the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) shall be deemed to include any such additional terms, conditions, limitations and provisions as are necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation exemption of Code Section 162(m), unless the Administrator, in its discretion, determines otherwise.

 

(e) Unfunded Plan; No Effect on Other Plans:

(i) The Plan shall be unfunded, and the Corporation shall not be required to create a trust or segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards under the Plan. The Plan shall not establish any fiduciary relationship between the Corporation and any Participant or other person. Neither a Participant nor any other person shall, by reason of the Plan, acquire any right in or title to any assets, funds or property of the Corporation or any Affiliate, including, without limitation, any specific funds, assets or other property which the Corporation or any Affiliate, in their discretion, may set aside in anticipation of a liability under the Plan. A Participant shall have only a contractual right to the Common Stock or other amounts, if any, payable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of the Corporation or any Affiliate. Nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee that the assets of such entities shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any person.

 

  

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(ii) The amount of any compensation deemed to be received by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall not constitute compensation with respect to which any other employee benefits of such Participant are determined, including, without limitation, benefits under any bonus, pension, profit sharing, life insurance or salary continuation plan, except as otherwise specifically provided by the terms of such plan or as may be determined by the Administrator.

(iii) The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other stock incentive or other compensation plans in effect for the Corporation or any Affiliate, nor shall the Plan preclude the Corporation from establishing any other forms of stock incentive or other compensation for employees or service providers of the Corporation or any Affiliate.

(f) Governing Law: The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions of any state, and in accordance with applicable federal laws of the United States.

(g) Beneficiary Designation: The Administrator may permit a Participant to designate in writing a person or persons as beneficiary, which beneficiary shall be entitled to receive settlement of Awards (if any) to which the Participant is otherwise entitled in the event of death. In the absence of such designation by a Participant, and in the event of the Participant's death, the estate of the Participant shall be treated as beneficiary for purposes of the Plan, unless the Administrator determines otherwise. The Administrator shall have sole discretion to approve and interpret the form or forms of such beneficiary designation. 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 Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent that the Plan and/or Award Agreement provide otherwise, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator.

(h) Gender and Number: Except where otherwise indicated by the context, words in any gender shall include any other gender, words in the singular shall include the plural and words in the plural shall include the singular.

(i) Severability: If any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

(j) Rules of Construction: Headings are given to the sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. The reference to any statute, regulation or other provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.

 

(k) Successors and Assigns: The Plan shall be binding upon the Corporation, its successors and assigns, and Participants, their executors, administrators and permitted transferees and beneficiaries.

(l) Right of Offset: Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement, the Corporation may reduce the amount of any payment or benefit otherwise payable to or on behalf of a Participant by the amount of any obligation of the Participant to or on behalf of the Corporation or an Affiliate that is or becomes due and payable.

(m) Effect of Changes in Status: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, an Award shall not be affected by any change in the terms, conditions or status of the Participant's employment or service, provided that the Participant continues to be an employee of, or in service to, the Corporation or an Affiliate.

(n) Shareholder Approval: The Plan is subject to approval by the shareholders of the Corporation, which approval must occur, if at all, within 12 months of the Effective Date of the Plan. Awards granted prior to such shareholder approval shall be conditioned upon and shall be effective only upon approval of the Plan by such shareholders on or before such date.

(o) No Fractional Shares: Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or by the Administrator, (i) the total number of shares issuable pursuant to the exercise, vesting or earning of an Award shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share, and (ii) no fractional shares shall be issued. The Administrator may, in its discretion, determine that a fractional share shall be settled in cash.

 

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this PokerTek, Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive Plan is, by the authority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, executed in behalf of the Corporation, effective as of the 3rd day of September, 2009.

	  	
POKERTEK, INC.

	  	  	  
	
Date: September 3, 2009

	
By:

	
 /s/ Mark D. Roberson

	 	 	 
Mark D. Roberson, Acting Chief Executive Officer

ATTEST:

 

	
/s/ James Crawford

	 
	
James Crawford, Secretary

	 

 

 

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