Document:

ex10-33.htm

Exhibit 10.33

 

 

 

VIA E-MAIL to John Green (johngreen@bellsouth.net)

 

June 9, 2015

 

Mr. John Green

171 Rolling Meadows Rd.

Fletcher, North Carolina 28732

 

	 	
RE:
	 	
Letter of Intent (“LOI”) to Purchase all Membership Interests in Innovative Solar 37, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company (the “Transaction”). 

 

Dear Mr. Green:

 

This letter expresses the intent of Principal Solar, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser”), to purchase from Innovative Solar Systems, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company (“Seller”) all of its membership interests in Innovative Solar 37, LLC, referred to as a “Company.”

 

Innovative Solar Systems is the developer of that certain proposed 78.7 MW (AC) solar photovoltaic project (the “System”) to be located in North Carolina (the “Premises”). 

 

Based upon information received by Purchaser from Seller regarding the System to date, Purchaser’s position with regard to, and the basic terms of, such a Transaction is as follows:

 

I.  Proposed Terms

 

1. Purchase. At Closing, Purchaser will acquire one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Company via a Purchase and Sale Agreement. Closing would occur not later than January 1, 2016 at 5:00 PM EDT (the “Closing”). The membership interests will be sold free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances.

 

2. Purchase Price. The Purchase Price for the Company is Five Million Five Hundred Nine Thousand and No/100 ($5,509,000.00) (the “Purchase Price”). 

 

 

 

 

 

	
3.
	
Payment Terms. The Purchase Price would be payable based on the following “Milestone(s)”:

 

a. $500,000.00 in non-refundable cash will be wired by Purchaser to Seller on or before June 22, 2015. It is the expectation of the Purchaser that Seller will provide sufficient documentation before June 22, 2015 to provide sufficient assurances that Innovative 37 is a viable System that will be timely approved for development and acceptance by Duke Energy Progress, Inc. or its affiliate(s), under reasonable business terms through the standard interconnection process;

 

b.     $300,000.00     payment no later than August 1, 2015;

 

c.     $300,000.00      payment no later than September 1, 2015;

 

c.     $300,000.00      payment no later than October 1, 2015;

 

d.     $300,000.00     payment no later than November 1, 2015;

 

e.     $300,000.00     payment no later than December 1, 2015;

 

f.     $2,500,000.00     at closing, no later than January 1, 2016;

 

g.    $150,000.00      on the 1st of every month starting February 1, 2016 and continuing until such time 100% of project purchase price is paid – 100% of purchase price monies to be paid by time of system commissioning.

 

 

II.  Conditions

 

The effectiveness of the Transaction would be subject to satisfaction of the following conditions, among others:

 

1. Purchase and Sale Agreement. The preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of a definitive purchase and sale agreement between the parties (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”), which must be satisfactory in form and substance to each of the parties. In addition to the terms set forth above, the Purchase and Sale Agreement would contain terms, covenants, conditions, representations and warranties appropriate for a transaction of this kind and customary in the solar photovoltaic industry.

 

2. License for Access and Data Room. Upon execution of this LOI, Seller shall i) execute a License for Access to enable Purchaser, its affiliates and consultants access to the Premises for the purpose of completing the due diligence contemplated herein; and ii) create a web platform (such as DropBox), or otherwise share, such information that meets the requirements of Section I.3(a). 

 

3. Due Diligence. Purchaser’s receipt of satisfactory due diligence inspections, reports and studies relative to the Premises, including but not limited to a preliminary title opinion and a survey of the Premises. Seller shall provide to Purchaser any existing reports, studies, permits, that have been completed or obtained by Seller. Additionally, Seller shall cooperate with Purchaser regarding any additional reasonable information requests. Unless otherwise indicated, all costs of such reports, studies, and permits provided by Seller shall be borne by the Seller.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Zoning. Purchaser’s receipt of verification of appropriate zoning classification from the respective city and/or County for the Premises or final determination of applicable rezoning petitions, such cost shall be Seller’s responsibility.

 

5. Verification of Contracts. Verification and confirmation of the existence of the following agreements for the System or Premises, as applicable:

 

Site Lease. Executed Site Lease Agreement for the Premises, including any applicable Subordination, Non-Disturbance and Attornment Agreements (collectively, the “Lease”);

 

Agricultural Contracts. Verification of any existing agricultural contracts affecting the Premises; 

 

Interconnection Agreement. Interconnection Agreement for the connection and delivery of electrical output from the System to the electrical power distribution grid (the “Interconnection Agreement”);

 

Executed REC Contracts (if applicable);

 

Executed Power Purchase Agreement;     

 

Consents. Obtaining all consents which may be necessary due to the change in control of the System under each Lease or Interconnection Agreement, and any permits, filings and approvals, required for ownership, operation and maintenance of the Systems;

 

Utilities Commission. Obtaining all necessary authorizations, certifications and licenses from the North Carolina Utilities Commission and all other regulatory agencies for the operation of the System and the sale and delivery of electrical output therefrom, including but not limited to registration of the System as a new renewable energy facility and the issuance of an Order of Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity; and

 

Documents specified on Exhibit “A”.

 

 

 

6.     Exclusivity. Except as otherwise provided herein, Seller shall not, and shall not authorize or permit any representative on Seller’s behalf, including, but not limited to John Green or Richard Green, to directly or indirectly, encourage, solicit, initiate, facilitate, enter into discussions or negotiations or any agreement with, or otherwise participate in any manner whatsoever, concerning the acquisition of any or all of the membership interests or the assets of the Company or divesture of the System. Seller shall deal exclusively with Purchaser concerning the foregoing and the Transaction contemplated hereunder. In the event Purchaser fails to pay Seller any Milestone payment upon such date due, as may be extended from time to time, and on a case by case basis, Seller may terminate this Agreement within ten (10) days after such due date and have no further responsibility.

 

7.     Expenses. Whether or not the Transaction contemplated by this LOI is consummated, each party will each bear its respective costs and expenses, including the payment of any broker fees. Neither party shall be liable for or pay any costs or expenses incurred by the other.

 

 

 

 

 

8.      Confidentiality. Purchaser and Seller’s position as described in this LOI is made with the understanding that it will be treated in confidence and that no disclosure will be made without Purchaser’s or Seller’s prior consent, except as otherwise required by law.

 

9.      Public Announcement. The parties shall consult with each other on the desirability, timing and substance of any press release or public announcement, publicity statement or other public disclosure relating to this Transaction or the fact that negotiations between us are being held. Each party agrees not to make any such public disclosures without the prior written consent of the other party as to the content and timing of such disclosure; provided, however, that either party may make such disclosures as are required to comply with applicable law.

 

10.     Other Agreements. This LOI constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any other prior agreements, written or oral, between the parties concerning such subject matter.

 

11.     Letter of Intent. This LOI shall not constitute a legally binding obligation on either Seller or Purchaser, except for the provisions of (i) Condition 6 which shall be binding and enforceable on the Seller and (ii) Conditions 7 and 8 which shall be binding and enforceable obligations on each of us. 

 

12.     Transfer of Project Rights. In the event that the project does not move forward to completion and sale of electricity to Duke Energy through no fault of Purchaser, Seller will transfer the payments to date on Innovative Solar 37, LLC to another project of comparable size and development status that the Seller has under development or to any project that the Purchaser already has under contract with ISS.

 

13.     Duke Energy PPA Milestones. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to provide deliverables to Duke Energy as required in the executed copy of the Innovative Solar 37, LLC purchase power agreement.

 

If the contents of this LOI are acceptable to you, and correctly set forth our understanding, please so indicate by signing the attached copy of this LOI and returning it to us at your earliest convenience. 

 

 

 

 

SEPARATE SIGNATURE PAGES ATTACHED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEPARATE SIGNATURE PAGE OF PURCHASER TO LOI

 

 

	
 
	
PURCHASER:

	
 
	
 

	
 
	
Agreed and Accepted:

	
 
	
 

	
 
	
____Michael Gorton____

	
 
	
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE OF SELLER CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEPARATE SIGNATURE PAGE OF SELLER TO LOI

 

 

 

 

	
 
	
SELLER:

 

Agreed and Accepted:

 

INNOVATIVE SOLAR SYSTEMS, LLC

 

By: ______/s/ John Green_______

          John Green, Member/Manager

 

By: _____/s/ Richard Green______

          Richard Green, Member/Manager

 

Date:_____June 9, 2015__________

	
 
	
 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Exhibit “A”

 

As of the Closing date, assets will include, but will not be limited to, the following items or their equivalent:

 

1. North Carolina Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing 

2. IRS notice of assignment of Employer Identification Number (EIN) 

3. Operating Agreement and Member Consent 

4. Utility Transmission R/W Approval (if required)

5. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Form 556 Certification of Qualifying Facility (QF) Status for a Small Power Production or Cogeneration Facility

6. Zoning Certification Letter and/or Zoning Non-Determination Letter

7. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for the Premises (if available)

8. Financial Statements of the Company. 

9. Certified Title Opinion regarding the Premises

10. Boundary Survey (if available)

11. SNDA(s) (if applicable)Exhibit 10.4

 

 

CABLE ONE, INC.

 2015 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

SECTION 1.  Purpose.  This Cable ONE, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is intended to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing the employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries with incentives and rewards to encourage them to continue in the service of the Company and its Subsidiaries and with a proprietary interest in pursuing the long-term growth, profitability and financial success of the Company.

SECTION 2.  Definitions.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Affiliate” means (a) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by, controls or is under common control with, the Company and/or (b) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in either case as determined by the Committee.

“Award” means any award that is permitted under Section 6 and granted under the Plan.

“Applicable Exchange” means the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares may be listed or quoted.

“Award Agreement” means any written or electronic agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award, which may (but need not) require execution or acknowledgment by a Participant.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Cash Incentive Award” means an Award (a) granted pursuant to Section 6(h), (b) that is settled in cash and (c) the value of which is set by the Committee and is not calculated by reference to the Fair Market Value of a Share.

“Change of Control” shall (a) have the meaning set forth in an Award Agreement; provided, however, that except in the case of a transaction similar to a transaction described in subparagraph (b)(iii) below, any definition of Change of Control set forth in an Award Agreement shall provide that a Change of Control shall not occur until consummation or effectiveness of a change in control of the Company, rather than upon the announcement, commencement, stockholder approval or other potential occurrence of any event or transaction that, if completed, would result in a change in control of the Company, or (b) if there is no definition set forth in an Award Agreement, mean the occurrence of any of the following events following the Effective Date:

(i)  during any period of 24 consecutive calendar months, individuals who were directors of the Company on the first day of such period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the first day of such period whose election, or nomination for election, by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors shall be considered as though such individual were an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for purposes of this proviso, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened proxy contest with respect to election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a “person” (as used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”), in each case other than the Board;

 

 

 

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(ii)  the consummation of (A) a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving (x) the Company or (y) any of its Subsidiaries, but in the case of this clause (y) only if Company Voting Securities (as defined below) are issued or issuable (each of the events referred to in this clause (A) being hereinafter referred to as a “Reorganization”) or (B) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate (a “Sale”), in each case, if such Reorganization or Sale requires the approval of the Company’s stockholders under the law of the Company’s jurisdiction of organization (whether such approval is required for such Reorganization or Sale or for the issuance of securities of the Company in such Reorganization or Sale), unless, immediately following such Reorganization or Sale, (1) all or substantially all the Persons who were the “beneficial owners” (as used in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act (or a successor rule thereto)) of the securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board (“Company Voting Securities”) outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization or Sale continue to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation or other entity resulting from such Reorganization or Sale (including a corporation or other entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (the “Continuing Company”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization or Sale, of the outstanding Company Voting Securities (excluding, for such purposes, any outstanding voting securities of the Continuing Company that such beneficial owners hold immediately following the consummation of the Reorganization or Sale as a result of their ownership prior to such consummation of voting securities of any corporation or other entity involved in or forming part of such Reorganization or Sale other than the Company), (2) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Continuing Company or any entity controlled by the Continuing Company) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Continuing Company and (3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Continuing Company were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the definitive agreement providing for such Reorganization or Sale or, in the absence of such an agreement, at the time at which approval of the Board was obtained for such Reorganization or Sale;

 

 

 

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(iii)  the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company unless such liquidation or dissolution is part of a transaction or series of transactions described in paragraph (ii) above that does not otherwise constitute a Change of Control; or

(iv)  any Person, corporation or other entity or “group” (as used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than (A) the Company, (B) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate or (C) any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the voting power of the Company Voting Securities) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company Voting Securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this subparagraph (iv), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control:  (w) any acquisition directly from the Company, (x) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate (y) any acquisition by an underwriter temporarily holding such Company Voting Securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or any acquisition by a pledgee of Company Voting Securities holding such securities as collateral or temporarily holding such securities upon foreclosure of the underlying obligation or (z) any acquisition pursuant to a Reorganization or Sale that does not constitute a Change of Control for purposes of subparagraph (ii) above;

 

 provided that, to the extent any Award provides for the payment of non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, an event set forth above shall not constitute a “Change of Control” unless it also constitutes a “change in ownership”, a “change in the effective control” or a “change in the ownership of substantial assets” of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) and such limitation is necessary to avoid an impermissible distribution or other event resulting in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof, or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

“Company” means Cable ONE, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware, together with any successor thereto.

 

 

 

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“Deferred Share Unit” means a deferred share unit Award that represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

“Deferred Compensation Plan” means any plan, agreement or arrangement maintained by the Company from time to time that provides opportunities for deferral of compensation.

“Distribution Date” means the date that Graham Holdings Company distributes all of the outstanding Shares to holders of shares of its outstanding Class A and Class B common stock through a spin-off.

“Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(a).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Exercise Price” means (a) in the case of each Option, the price specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the price-per-Share at which Shares may be purchased pursuant to such Option or (b) in the case of each SAR, the price specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the reference price-per-Share used to calculate the amount payable to the Participant pursuant to such SAR.

“Fair Market Value” means, except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, (a) with respect to any property other than Shares, the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee and (b) with respect to Shares, as of any date, (i) the closing per-share sales price of Shares as reported by the Applicable Exchange for such stock exchange for such date or if there were no sales on such date, on the closest preceding date on which there were sales of Shares or (ii) in the event there shall be no public market for the Shares on such date, the fair market value of the Shares as determined in good faith by the Committee.

“Incentive Stock Option” means an option to purchase Shares from the Company that (a) is granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan and (b) is intended to qualify for special Federal income tax treatment pursuant to Sections 421 and 422 of the Code, as now constituted or subsequently amended, or pursuant to a successor provision of the Code, and which is so designated in the applicable Award Agreement.

“Independent Director” means a member of the Board (a) who is neither an employee of the Company nor an employee of any Affiliate, and (b) who, at the time of acting, is a “Non-Employee Director” under Rule 16b-3.

“Nonqualified Stock Option” means an option to purchase Shares from the Company that (a) is granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan and (b) is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

 

 

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“Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option or both, as the context requires.

“Participant” means any director, officer, employee or consultant (including any prospective director, officer, employee or consultant) of the Company or its Affiliates who is eligible for an Award under Section 5 and who is selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan or who receives a Substitute Award pursuant to Section 4(c).

“Performance Compensation Award” means any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 6(f) of the Plan.

 

“Performance Criteria” means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award or Performance Unit or, if applicable, any Cash Incentive Award.

“Performance Formula” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more formulas applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award or Performance Unit or, if applicable, the Cash Incentive Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of such Award has been earned for the Performance Period.

 

“Performance Goal” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.

“Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time as the Committee may select over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Performance Compensation Award or Performance Unit or, if applicable, a Cash Incentive Award.

“Performance Unit” means an Award under Section 6(f) of the Plan that has a value set by the Committee (or that is determined by reference to a valuation formula specified by the Committee or the Fair Market Value of Shares), which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including without limitation, cash or Shares, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such Performance Goals during the relevant Performance Period as the Committee shall establish at the time of such Award or thereafter.

“Plan” shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.

“Replacement Award” means an Award that is granted in replacement of restricted shares of, or stock options to purchase shares of, Graham Holdings Company Class B common stock that were forfeited by a Participant in connection with the Distribution Date.

 

 

 

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“Restricted Share” means a Share that is granted under Section 6(d) of the Plan that is subject to certain transfer restrictions, forfeiture provisions and/or other terms and conditions specified herein and in the applicable Award Agreement.

“RSU” means a restricted stock unit Award that is granted under Section 6(e) of the Plan and is designated as such in the applicable Award Agreement and that represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares, cash, other securities, other Awards or other property in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 as promulgated and interpreted by the SEC under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.

“SAR” means a stock appreciation right Award that is granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan and that represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares, cash, other securities, other Awards or other property equal in value to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value per Share over the Exercise Price per Share of the SAR, subject to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto and shall include the staff thereof.

“Shares” means shares of common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value, or such other securities of the Company (a) into which such shares shall be changed by reason of a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or other similar transaction or (b) as may be determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 4(b).

“Subsidiary” means any entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, possesses fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of its stock.

“Substitute Awards” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4(c).

“Treasury Regulations” means all proposed, temporary and final regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

“Unrestricted Pool” means a number of Shares equal to 5% of the total number of shares available for issuance set forth in Section 4.

SECTION 3.  Administration.  (a)  Composition of the Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be composed of one or more directors, as determined by the Board; provided that, to the extent necessary to comply with the rules of the Applicable Exchange and Rule 16b-3 and to satisfy any applicable requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and any other applicable laws or rules, the Committee shall be composed of two or more directors, all of whom shall be Independent Directors and all of whom shall (i) qualify as “outside directors” under Section 162(m) of the Code and (ii) meet the independence requirements of the Applicable Exchange.

 

 

 

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(b)  Authority of the Committee.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to the other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to administer the Plan, including the authority to (i) designate Participants, (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant, (iii) determine the number of Shares or dollar value to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards, (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Awards, (v) determine the vesting schedules of Awards (which, except for Awards (A) relating to a number of Shares not to exceed the Unrestricted Pool, (B) Replacement Awards, (C) Cash Incentive Awards and (D) Awards subject to vesting in whole or part based on performance criteria, shall provide for full vesting no earlier than 12 months after the applicable grant date, subject to any accelerated vesting and/or exercisability, as applicable, determined by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Plan or any other applicable arrangement to apply upon the occurrence of a specified event) and, if certain performance criteria must be attained in order for an Award to vest or be settled or paid, establish such performance criteria and certify whether, and to what extent, such performance criteria have been attained, (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended, (vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee, (viii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any default in and/or supply any omission in, the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan, (ix) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan, (x) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards, (xi) amend an outstanding Award or grant a replacement Award for an Award previously granted under the Plan if, in its sole discretion, the Committee determines that (A) the tax consequences of such Award to the Company or the Participant differ from those consequences that were expected to occur on the date the Award was granted or (B) clarifications or interpretations of, or changes to, tax law or regulations permit Awards to be granted that have more favorable tax consequences than initially anticipated and (xii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

(c)  Committee Decisions.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole and plenary discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award and any stockholder.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall determine whether an authorized leave of absence, or absence in military or government service, shall constitute termination of employment.  The employment of a Participant with the Company shall be deemed to have terminated for all purposes of the Plan if such Participant is employed by or provides services to a Person that is a Subsidiary of the Company and such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company, unless the Committee determines otherwise.  A Participant who ceases to be an employee of the Company but continues, or simultaneously commences, services as a director of the Company shall not be deemed to have had a termination of employment for purposes of the Plan.

 

 

 

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(d)  Indemnification.  No member of the Board, the Committee or any employee of the Company (each such person, a “Covered Person”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award.  Each Covered Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against (i) any loss, cost, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Covered Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Covered Person may be a party or in which such Covered Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Plan or any Award Agreement and (ii) any and all amounts paid by such Covered Person, with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Covered Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Covered Person; provided that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding, and, once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to a Covered Person to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment or other final adjudication, in either case not subject to further appeal, determines that the acts or omissions of such Covered Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Covered Person’s bad faith, fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Company’s organizational documents, in each case, as may be amended from time to time.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which Covered Persons may be entitled under the Company’s organizational documents, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such persons or hold them harmless.

(e)  Delegation of Authority to Senior Officers.  The Committee may delegate, on such terms and conditions as it determines in its sole and plenary discretion, to one or more senior officers of the Company, subject to such restrictions and limitation as the Committee may specify and to the requirements of applicable law, the authority to make grants of Awards to officers (other than any officer subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act), employees and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates (including any prospective officer (other than any such officer who is expected to be subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act), employee or consultant), and all necessary and appropriate decisions and determinations with respect thereto.

 

 

 

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(f)  Awards to Independent Directors.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, in its sole and plenary discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards to Independent Directors or administer the Plan with respect to such Awards.  In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority and responsibility granted to the Committee herein.

SECTION 4.  Shares Available for Awards; Cash Payable Pursuant to Awards.  (a)  Shares and Cash Available.  (i)  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b), the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan, shall be equal to 600,000 (the “Plan Share Limit”).

(ii)  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b), (A) each Share with respect to which an Option or stock-settled SAR is granted under the Plan shall reduce the aggregate number of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan by one Share and (B) each Share with respect to which any other Award denominated in Shares is granted under the Plan shall reduce the aggregate number of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan by two Shares.  Upon exercise of a stock-settled SAR, each Share with respect to which such stock-settled SAR is exercised shall be counted as one Share against the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan as provided above, regardless of the number of Shares actually delivered upon settlement of such stock-settled SAR.  Awards that are required to be settled in cash will not reduce the Plan Share Limit.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b), the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be equal to 400,000 (such amount, the “Plan ISO Limit”).

(iii)  If any Award granted under the Plan is (A) forfeited, or otherwise expires, terminates or is canceled without the delivery of all Shares subject thereto, or (B) is settled other than wholly by delivery of Shares (including cash settlement), then, in the case of clauses (A) and (B), the number of Shares subject to such Award that were not issued with respect to such Award will not be treated as issued for purposes of reducing the Plan Share Limit.  For the avoidance of doubt, no Shares that are surrendered, withheld or tendered to the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option or any taxes required to be withheld in respect of any Award shall again become available to be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan.

(iv)  With respect to Awards that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b), (A) in the case of Awards that are settled in Shares, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted in any fiscal year of the Company under the Plan (1) to any Participant (other than an Independent Director) shall be 50,000 (the “Annual Individual Plan Share Limit”), (B) in the case of Awards that are settled in cash based on the Fair Market Value of a Share, the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid pursuant to Awards granted to any Participant (other than an Independent Director) in any fiscal year of the Company under the Plan shall be equal to the per-Share Fair Market Value as of the relevant vesting, payment or settlement date multiplied by the Annual Individual Plan Share Limit, and (C) in the case of all Awards to Participants (other than Independent Directors) other than those described in clauses (A) and (B), the maximum aggregate amount of cash and other property (valued at its Fair Market Value) other than Shares that may be paid or delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan to any Participant (other than an Independent Director) in any fiscal year of the Company shall be equal to $15,000,000.

 

 

 

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(v)  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b), (A) in the case of Awards that are settled in Shares, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted in any fiscal year of the Company under the Plan and to any Independent Director shall be 2,000 (the “Annual Independent Director Plan Share Limit”), (B) in the case of Awards that are settled in cash based on the Fair Market Value of a Share, the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid pursuant to Awards granted to any Independent Director in any fiscal year of the Company under the Plan shall be equal to the per-Share Fair Market Value as of the relevant vesting, payment or settlement date multiplied by the Annual Independent Director Plan Share Limit, and (C) in the case of all Awards to Independent Directors other than those described in clauses (A) and (B), the maximum aggregate amount of cash and other property (valued at its Fair Market Value) other than Shares that may be paid or delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan to any Independent Director in any fiscal year of the Company shall be equal to $300,000.

(b)  Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization and Similar Events.(i)  In the event of any extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, rights offering, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up or spin-off, the Committee shall equitably adjust any or all of (A) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, including (1) Plan Share Limit, (2) the Plan ISO Limit, (3) the Annual Individual Plan Share Limit and (4) the Annual Independent Director Plan Share Limit, and (B) the terms of any outstanding Award, including (1) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate and (2) the Exercise Price, if applicable, with respect to any Award; provided, however, that the Committee shall determine the method and manner in which to effect such equitable adjustment.

(ii)  In the event that the Committee determines that any reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares (including any Change of Control) such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee in its discretion to be appropriate or desirable, then the Committee may (A) in such manner as it may deem appropriate or desirable, equitably adjust any or all of (1) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, including (W) the Plan Share Limit, (X) the Plan ISO Limit (Y) the Annual Individual Plan Share Limit and (Z) the Annual Independent Director Plan Share Limit, and (2) the terms of any outstanding Award, including (X) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate and (Y) the Exercise Price, if applicable, with respect to any Award, (B) if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award in consideration for the cancelation of such Award, including, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment to the holder of such Option or SAR in consideration for the cancelation of such Option or SAR in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the Shares subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price of such Option or SAR and (C) if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, cancel and terminate any Option or SAR having a per-Share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a Share subject to such Option or SAR without any payment or consideration therefor.

 

 

 

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(c)  Substitute Awards.  Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by the Company or any of its Affiliates or a company acquired by the Company or any of its Affiliates or with which the Company or any of its Affiliates combines (“Substitute Awards”); provided, however, that in no event may any Substitute Award be granted in a manner that would violate the prohibitions on repricing of Options and SARs, as set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 7(b).  The number of Shares underlying any Substitute Awards shall be counted against the Plan Share Limit; provided, however, that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity that is acquired by the Company or any of its Affiliates or with which the Company or any of its Affiliates combines shall not be counted against the Plan Share Limit; provided further  that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding stock options intended to qualify for special tax treatment under Sections 421 and 422 of the Code that were previously granted by an entity that is acquired by the Company or any of its Affiliates or with which the Company or any of its Affiliates combines shall be counted against the maximum aggregate number of Shares available for Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.

(d)  Sources of Shares Deliverable Under Awards.  Any Shares delivered pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or of treasury Shares.

SECTION 5.  Eligibility.  Any director, officer, employee or consultant (including any prospective director, officer, employee or consultant) of the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be eligible to be designated a Participant.

SECTION 6.  Awards.  (a)  Types of Awards.  Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of (i) Options, (ii) SARs, (iii) Restricted Shares, (iv) RSUs, (v) Performance Compensation Awards, (vi) Performance Units, (vii) Cash Incentive Awards, (viii) Deferred Share Units and (ix) other equity based or equity related Awards that the Committee determines are consistent with the purpose of the Plan and the interests of the Company.  Awards may be granted in tandem with other Awards.  No Incentive Stock Option (other than an Incentive Stock Option that may be assumed or issued by the Company in connection with a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies) may be granted to a person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code.

 

 

 

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(b)  Options.  (i)  Grant.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine (A) the Participants to whom Options shall be granted, (B) subject to Section 4(a), the number of Shares subject to each Option to be granted to each Participant, (C) subject to Section 4(b)(ii), the Exercise Price thereof, (D) whether each Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option and (E) the terms and conditions of each Option, including the vesting criteria, term, methods of exercise and methods and form of settlement.  In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code and any regulations related thereto, as may be amended from time to time.  Each Option granted under the Plan shall be a Nonqualified Stock Option unless the applicable Award Agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.  If an Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, and if, for any reason, such Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan; provided that such Option (or portion thereof) otherwise complies with the Plan’s requirements relating to Nonqualified Stock Options.

(ii)  Exercise Price.  The Exercise Price of each Share covered by each Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Share (determined as of the date the Option is granted); provided, however, that in the case of each Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate, the per-Share Exercise Price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant; provided further that Options granted as Substitute Awards may be granted with a per Share exercise price that is less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.  Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, each Option is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(iii)  Vesting and Exercise. Subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 3(b)(v), each Option shall be vested and exercisable at such times, in such manner and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole and plenary discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter.  Except as otherwise specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, each Option may only be exercised to the extent that it has already vested at the time of exercise.  Each Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written or electronic notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award by the person entitled to exercise the Award and full payment pursuant to Section 6(b)(iv) for the Shares with respect to which the Award is exercised has been received by the Company.  Each Option may be exercised in whole or in part; provided, however, an Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional Shares and, except as the Committee may, in its sole and plenary discretion, permit otherwise, each partial exercise of an Option shall be with respect to a minimum of 500 Shares.  The partial exercise of an Option shall not cause the expiration, termination or cancelation of the remaining portion thereof.  Exercise of each Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares that thereafter may be available for sale under the Option and, except as expressly set forth in Sections 4(a) and 4(c), in the number of Shares that may be available for purposes of the Plan, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.  The Committee may impose such conditions with respect to the exercise of each Option, including any conditions relating to the application of Federal or state securities laws, as it may deem necessary or advisable.

 

 

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(iv)  Payment.  (A)  No Shares shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company, and the Participant has paid to the Company (or the Company has withheld in accordance with Section 9(d)) an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and foreign income and employment taxes required to be withheld.  Such payments may be made in cash (or its equivalent) or, in the Committee’s sole and plenary discretion, (1) by exchanging Shares owned by the Participant (which are not the subject of any pledge or other security interest), (2) if there shall be a public market for the Shares at such time, subject to such rules as may be established by the Committee, through delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell the Shares otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver cash promptly to the Company, (3) by having the Company withhold Shares from the Shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Option (for the avoidance of doubt, the Shares withheld shall be counted against the maximum number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to the Awards granted under the Plan as provided in Section 4(a) or (4) through any other method (or combination of methods) as approved by the Committee; provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Shares so tendered to the Company, together with any Shares withheld by the Company in accordance with this Section 6(b)(iv) or Section 9(d), as of the date of such tender, is at least equal to such aggregate Exercise Price and the amount of any Federal, state, local or foreign income or employment taxes required to be withheld, if applicable.

(B)  Wherever in the Plan or any Award Agreement a Participant is permitted to pay the Exercise Price of an Option or taxes relating to the exercise of an Option by delivering Shares, the Participant may, subject to procedures satisfactory to the Committee, satisfy such delivery requirement by presenting proof of beneficial ownership of such Shares, in which case the Company shall treat the Option as exercised without further payment and shall withhold such number of Shares from the Shares acquired by the exercise of the Option.

(v)  Expiration/Forfeiture.  Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, each Option shall expire immediately, without any payment, upon the tenth anniversary of the date the Option is granted (or, in the case of vested Options, three months after the date the Participant who is holding the Option ceases to be a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or one of its Affiliates, if earlier).  In no event may an Option be exercisable after the tenth anniversary of the date the Option is granted.

 

 

 

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(c)  SARs.  (i)  Grant.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine (A) the Participants to whom SARs shall be granted, (B) subject to Section 4(a), the number of SARs to be granted to each Participant and (C) subject to Section 4(c)(ii), the Exercise Price thereof and (D) the terms and conditions of each SAR, including the vesting criteria, term, methods of exercise and methods and form of settlement.

(ii)  Exercise Price.  The Exercise Price of each Share covered by a SAR shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Share (determined as of the date the SAR is granted); provided that SARs granted as Substitute Awards may be granted with a per Share exercise price that is less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.  Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, each SAR is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(iii)  Vesting and Exercise.  Each SAR shall entitle the Participant to receive an amount upon exercise equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise of the SAR over the Exercise Price thereof.  The Committee shall determine, in its sole and plenary discretion, whether a SAR shall be settled in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property or a combination of any of the foregoing.  Subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 3(b)(v), each SAR shall be vested and exercisable at such time, in such manner and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter.

(iv)  Expiration/Forfeiture.  Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, each SAR shall expire immediately, without any payment, upon the tenth anniversary of the date the SAR is granted (or, in the case of vested SARs, three months after the date the Participant who is holding the SAR ceases to be a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or one of its Affiliates, if earlier).  In no event may SAR be exercisable after the tenth anniversary of the date the SAR is granted.

(d)  Restricted Shares.  (i)  Grant.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine (A) the Participants to whom Restricted Shares shall be granted, (B) subject to Section 4(a), the number of Restricted Shares to be granted to each Participant, (C) subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 3(b)(v), the duration of the period during which, and the conditions, if any, under which, the Restricted Shares may vest or may be forfeited to the Company and (D) the terms and conditions of each such Award, including the vesting criteria, term and methods and form of settlement.

(ii)  Share Certificates.  Each Restricted Share may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine.  If certificates representing Restricted Shares are registered in the name of the applicable Participant, such certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of such certificates until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

 

 

 

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(iii)  Rights as a Stockholder. In connection with each grant of Restricted Shares, except as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall be entitled to the rights of a stockholder (including the right to vote) in respect of such Restricted Shares.

(e)  RSUs.  (i)  Grant.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine (A) the Participants to whom RSUs shall be granted, (B) subject to Section 4(a), the number of RSUs to be granted to each Participant, (C) subject to the minimum vesting provisions of Section 3(b)(v), the duration of the period during which, and the conditions, if any, under which, the RSUs may vest or may be forfeited to the Company and (D) the terms and conditions of each such Award, including the vesting criteria, term and methods and form of settlement.

(ii)  Payment/Lapse of Restrictions.  Each RSU shall be granted with respect to a specified number of Shares (or a number of Shares determined pursuant to a specified formula) or shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares (or a number of Shares determined pursuant to a specified formula).  RSUs shall be paid in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, as determined in the sole and plenary discretion of the Committee, upon the lapse of restrictions applicable thereto, or otherwise in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement.

(f)  Performance Compensation Awards.  (i)  General.  The Committee shall have the authority, at the time of grant of any Award, to designate such Award (other than an Option or SAR) as a Performance Compensation Award in order for such Award to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.  Options and SARs granted under the Plan shall not be included among Awards that are designated as Performance Compensation Awards under this Section 6(f).

(ii)  Eligibility.  The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, designate within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) which Participants shall be eligible to receive Performance Compensation Awards in respect of such Performance Period.  However, designation of a Participant as eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle such Participant to receive payment in respect of any Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.  The determination as to whether or not such Participant becomes entitled to payment in respect of any Performance Compensation Award shall be decided solely in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(f).  Moreover, designation of a Participant as eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of such Participant as eligible to receive an Award hereunder in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder shall not require designation of any other person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder in such period or in any other period.

 

 

 

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(iii)  Discretion of the Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards.  With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have full discretion to select (A) the length of such Performance Period, (B) the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, (C) the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), (D) the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goals(s) that is (are) to apply to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, divisions or operational units, or any combination of the foregoing, (E) any additional vesting conditions whether or not performance-based (that are not deemed Performance Goals) that may apply to such Awards and (F) the Performance Formula; provided that any such Performance Formula shall be objective and non-discretionary.  Within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence and record the same in writing.

(iv)  Performance Criteria.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) with respect to Performance Compensation Awards shall be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, divisions or operational units, or any combination of the foregoing, and shall be limited to one or any combination of the following criteria:  (A) share price; (B) net income or earnings before or after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization); (C) earnings per share (including specified types or categories thereof); (D) cash flow (including specified types or categories thereof); (E) revenues (including specified types or categories thereof); (F) return measures (including specified types or categories thereof); (G) stockholder return measures (including specified types or categories thereof); (H) sales or product volume; (I) working capital; (J) gross or net profitability/profit margins (including profitability of an identifiable business unit or product); (K) earnings from continuing operations; (L) costs (including specified types or categories thereof) and cost reduction goals; (M) budget comparisons; (N) implementation or completion of critical projects; (O) market share (in the aggregate or by segment); (P) the formation of joint ventures, research or development collaborations, or the completion of other transactions; (Q) economic value; (R) enterprise value; (S) book, economic book or intrinsic book value (including book value per share); (T) improvements in capital structure; (U) customer satisfaction survey results; (V) operating income; (W) product unit and pricing targets; (X) combined ratio; (Y) operating ratio; (Z) leverage ratio; (AA) credit rating; (BB) borrowing levels; (CC) objective measures of productivity or operating efficiency; (DD) expenses (including specified types or categories thereof); (EE) product unit and pricing targets; (FF) implementation or completion of critical projects; (GG) safety and accident rates; (HH) days sales outstanding; (II) operating metrics relating to sales, installations or customer service or satisfaction (JJ) capital spending management, network upgrades or product or service deployments; and (KK) market share or penetration, subscriber or customer acquisition or retention, ratings or viewership.  Such Performance Criteria may be applied on an absolute basis, be relative to one or more peer companies of the Company or indices or any combination thereof or, if applicable, be computed on an accrual or cash accounting basis.  To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first 90 days of the applicable Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective manner the method of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period.

 

 

 

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(v)  Modification of Performance Goals.  The Committee is authorized at any time during the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or any time thereafter (but only to the extent the exercise of such authority after such 90 day period (or such shorter period, if applicable) would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for the Performance Period to fail to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code), in its sole and plenary discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (A) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or nonrecurring corporate item, transaction, event or development affecting the Company, or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, divisions or operating units (to the extent applicable to such Performance Goal) or (B) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, divisions or operating units (to the extent applicable to such Performance Goal), or the financial statements of the Company or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, divisions or operating units (to the extent applicable to such Performance Goal), or of changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange, accounting principles, law or business conditions.

(vi)  Payment of Performance Compensation Awards.  (A)  Condition to Receipt of Payment.  A Participant must be employed by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, in the discretion of the Committee, Performance Compensation Awards may be paid to Participants who have retired or whose employment has terminated prior to the last day of the Performance Period for which a Performance Compensation Award is made, or to the designee or estate of a Participant who died prior to the last day of a Performance Period.

(B)  Limitation.  Except as otherwise permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, a Participant shall be eligible to receive a payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that (1) the Performance Goal(s) for the relevant Performance Period are achieved and certified by the Committee in accordance with Section 6(f)(vi)(C) and (2) the Performance Formula as applied against such Performance Goal(s) determines that all or some portion of such Participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for such Performance Period.

 

 

 

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(C)  Certification.  Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, to calculate and certify in writing that amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the objective Performance Formula.  The Committee shall then determine the actual amount of each Participant’s Performance Compensation Award for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply negative discretion as authorized by Section 6(f)(vi)(D).

(D)  Negative Discretion.  In determining the actual amount of an individual Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may, in its sole and plenary discretion, reduce or eliminate the amount of the Award earned in the Performance Period, even if applicable Performance Goals have been attained and without regard to any employment agreement between the Company and a Participant.

(E)  Discretion.  Except as otherwise permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, in no event shall any discretionary authority granted to the Committee by the Plan be used to (1) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained, (2) increase a Performance Compensation Award for any Participant at any time after the first 90 days of the Performance Period (or, if shorter, the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) or (3) increase the amount of a Performance Compensation Award above the maximum amount payable under Section 4(a) of the Plan.  Nothing in this Section 6(f) is intended to limit the Committee’s discretion to adopt conditions with respect to any Award that is not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code or the Committee’s discretion in respect of conditions that are not Performance Goals with respect to any Award that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(F)  Form of Payment.  In the case of any Performance Compensation Award other than a Restricted Share, RSU or other equity-based Award that is subject to performance-based vesting conditions, such Performance Compensation Award shall be payable, in the discretion of the Committee, in cash or in Restricted Shares, RSUs or fully vested Shares of equivalent value and shall be paid on such terms as determined by the Committee in its discretion.  Any Restricted Shares and RSUs shall be subject to the terms of this Plan (or any successor equity-compensation plan) and any applicable Award Agreement.  The number of Restricted Shares, RSUs or Shares that is equivalent in value to a dollar amount shall be determined in accordance with a methodology specified by the Committee within the first 90 days of the relevant Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code).

  

(g)  Performance Units.  (i)  Grant.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine the Participants to whom Performance Units shall be granted.

 

 

 

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(ii)  Value of Performance Units.  Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant.  The Committee shall set Performance Goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met during a Performance Period, will determine in accordance with Section 4(a) the number and/or value of Performance Units that will be paid out to the Participant.

(iii)  Earning of Performance Units.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units shall be entitled to receive a payout of the number and value of Performance Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined by the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals have been achieved.

(iv)  Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, may pay earned Performance Units in the form of cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof) that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units at the close of the applicable Performance Period.  Such Shares may be granted subject to any restrictions in the applicable Award Agreement deemed appropriate by the Committee.  The determination of the Committee with respect to the form and timing of payout of such Awards shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

(h)  Cash Incentive Awards.  (i)  Grant.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, shall have the authority to determine (A) the Participants to whom Cash Incentive Awards shall be granted, (B) subject to Section 4(a), the amount of Cash Incentive Awards to be granted to each Participant, (C) the duration of the period during which, and the conditions, if any, under which, the Cash Incentive Awards may vest or may be forfeited to the Company and (D) the other terms and conditions of each Cash Incentive Award.  Each Cash Incentive Award shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant.  The Committee shall set performance goals or other payment conditions in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which they are met during a specified performance period, shall determine the amount and/or value of the Cash Incentive Award that shall be paid to the Participant.

(ii)  Earning of Cash Incentive Awards.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, after the applicable vesting period has ended, the holder of a Cash Incentive Award shall be entitled to receive a payout of the amount of the Cash Incentive Award earned by the Participant over the specified performance period, to be determined by the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals or other conditions to payment have been achieved.

(i)  Other Stock-Based Awards.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, including the minimum vesting provisions of Section 3(b)(v), the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority to grant to Participants other equity-based or equity-related Awards (including Deferred Share Units and fully vested Shares) (whether payable in cash, equity or otherwise) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine; provided that any such Awards must comply, to the extent deemed desirable by the Committee, with Rule 16b-3 and applicable law.

 

 

 

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(j)  Dividends and Dividend Equivalents.  In the sole and plenary discretion of the Committee, the Committee may provide in the applicable Award Agreement, other than for an Option, SAR or Cash Incentive Award, for the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents to the Participant, payable in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, on a current or deferred basis, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole and plenary discretion, including (i) payment directly to the Participant, (ii) withholding of such amounts by the Company subject to vesting of the Award or (iii) reinvestment in additional Shares, Restricted Shares or other Awards; provided, however, that a Participant shall be eligible to receive dividends or dividend equivalents in respect of any Performance Compensation Award, Performance Unit or other performance-based Award that is payable upon the achievement of Performance Goals only to the extent that (A) the Performance Goals for the relevant Performance Period are achieved and (B) the Performance Formula as applied against such Performance Goals determines that all or some portion of such Award has been earned for such Performance Period.

SECTION 7.  Amendment and Termination.  (a)  Amendments to the Plan.  Subject to any applicable law or government regulation, to any requirement that must be satisfied if the Plan is intended to be a stockholder-approved plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and to the rules of the Applicable Exchange, the Plan may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, except that stockholder approval shall be required for any amendment that would (i) increase either the Plan Share Limit or the Plan ISO Limit, (ii) change the class of employees or other individuals eligible to participate in the Plan or (iii) result in the amendment, cancellation or action described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the second sentence of Section 7(b) being permitted without the approval by the Company’s stockholders; provided, however, that any adjustment under Section 4(b) shall not constitute an increase for purposes of this Section 7(a)(i).  No amendment, modification or termination of the Plan may, without the consent of the Participant to whom any Award shall theretofor have been granted, materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant (or his or her transferee) under such Award, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or made to comply with applicable law, tax rules, stock exchange rules or accounting rules.

(b)  Amendments to Awards.  The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate any Award theretofor granted, prospectively or retroactively; provided, however, that, except as set forth in the Plan, for such actions taken to comply with applicable law, tax rules, stock vesting rules or accounting rules or as otherwise provided by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancelation or termination that would materially and adversely impair the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofor granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the applicable Participant, holder or beneficiary.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in no event may any Option or SAR (i) be amended to decrease the Exercise Price thereof, (ii) be canceled at a time when its Exercise Price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares in exchange for another Option or SAR or any Restricted Share, RSU, other equity-based Award, award under any other equity-compensation plan or any cash payment or (iii) be subject to any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a “repricing” of such Option or SAR, unless such amendment, cancelation or action is approved by the Company’s stockholders.  For the avoidance of doubt, an adjustment to the Exercise Price of an Option or SAR that is made in accordance with Section 4(b) or Section 8 shall not be considered a reduction in Exercise Price or “repricing” of such Option or SAR.

 

 

 

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(c)  Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events.  Subject to Section 6(f)(v) and the penultimate sentence of Section 7(b), the Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including the events described in Section 4(b) or the occurrence of a Change of Control) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange, accounting principles or law (i) whenever the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, determines that such adjustments are appropriate or desirable, including providing for a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards or providing for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event, (ii) if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, by providing for a cash payment to the holder of an Award in consideration for the cancelation of such Award, including, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment to the holder of such Option or SAR in consideration for the cancelation of such Option or SAR in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the Shares subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price of such Option or SAR and (iii) if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, by canceling and terminating any Option or SAR having a per-Share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a Share subject to such Option or SAR without any payment or consideration therefor.

SECTION 8.  Change of Control.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a Change of Control after the date of the adoption of the Plan, unless provision is made in connection with the Change of Control for (a) assumption of Awards previously granted or (b) substitution for such Awards of new awards covering stock of a successor corporation or its “parent corporation” (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or “subsidiary corporation” (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares and the Exercise Prices, if applicable, (i) any outstanding Options or SARs then held by Participants that are unexercisable or otherwise unvested shall automatically be deemed exercisable or otherwise vested, as the case may be, as of immediately prior to such Change of Control, (ii) all Performance Units, Cash Incentive Awards and Awards designated as Performance Compensation Awards shall automatically vest as of immediately prior to such Change of Control as if the date of the Change of Control were the last day of the applicable Performance Period and “target” performance levels had been attained and shall be paid out as soon as practicable following such Change of Control, and (iii) all other outstanding Awards (i.e., other than Options, SARs, Performance Units, Cash Incentive Awards and Awards designated as Performance Compensation Awards) then held by Participants that are unexercisable, unvested or still subject to restrictions or forfeiture, shall automatically be deemed exercisable and vested and all restrictions and forfeiture provisions related thereto shall lapse as of immediately prior to such Change of Control and shall be paid out as soon as practicable following such Change of Control.  The Committee shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change of Control has occurred and the date of the occurrence of such Change of Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.

 

 

 

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SECTION 9.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nontransferability.  Except as otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement, during the Participant’s lifetime, each Award (and any rights and obligations thereunder) shall be exercisable only by the Participant, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative, and no Award (or any rights and obligations thereunder) may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate; provided that (i) the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance; (ii) no transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution of any Award, or the right to exercise any Award, shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Committee shall have been furnished with (a) written notice thereof and with a copy of the will and/or such evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and (b) an agreement by the transferee to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Award that are or would have been applicable to the Participant and to be bound by the acknowledgements made by the Participant in connection with the grant of the Award; and (iii) the Board or the Committee may permit further transferability, on a general or specific basis, and may impose conditions and limitations on any permitted transferability; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options shall not be transferable in any way that would violate Section 1.422-2(a)(2) of the Treasury Regulations and in no event may any Award (or any rights and obligations thereunder) be transferred in any way in exchange for value.  All terms and conditions of the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be binding upon any permitted successors and assigns.

(b)  No Rights to Awards.  No Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards.  The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated.

 

 

 

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(c)  Share Certificates.  All certificates or book entry credits for Shares or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC, the Applicable Exchange and any applicable Federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.  Shares shall be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates.

(d)  Withholding.  (i)  Authority to Withhold.  A Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate, and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.

(ii)  Alternative Ways to Satisfy Withholding Liability.  Without limiting the generality of Section 9(d)(i), subject to the Committee’s discretion, a Participant may satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability (A) by delivery of Shares owned by the Participant (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) or by delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell Shares and promptly deliver to the Company the proceeds from the sale of Shares, in each case, with the amount realized equal to the amount required to cover such withholding liability or (B) by having the Company withhold from the number of Shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Option or SAR, or the lapse of the restrictions on any other Award (in the case of SARs and other Awards, if such SARs and other Awards are settled in Shares), the number of whole Shares necessary to satisfy such withholding liability based on the fair value of such Shares at such time.

(e)  Section 409A.  (i)  It is intended that the provisions of the Plan comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code.

(ii)  No Participant or the creditors or beneficiaries of a Participant shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable under the Plan to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.  Except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable to any Participant or for the benefit of any Participant under the Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by any such Participant to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

 

 

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(iii)  If, at the time of a Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (A) such Participant shall be a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time) and (B) the Company shall make a good faith determination that an amount payable pursuant to an Award constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A of the Code in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead pay it on the first business day after such six-month period.  Such amount shall be paid without interest, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, or as otherwise provided in any applicable employment agreement between the Company and the relevant Participant.

(iv)  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in light of the uncertainty with respect to the proper application of Section 409A of the Code, the Company reserves the right to make amendments to any Award as the Company deems necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code.  In any case, a Participant shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on such Participant or for such Participant’s account in connection with an Award (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.

(f)  Award Agreements.  Each Award hereunder shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto, including the effect on such Award of the death, disability or termination of employment or service of a Participant and the effect, if any, of such other events as may be determined by the Committee.

(g)  No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the grant of options, restricted stock, shares, other types of equity-based awards (subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required) and cash incentive awards, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

(h)  No Right to Employment.  The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained as a director, officer, employee or consultant of or to the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall it be construed as giving a Participant any rights to continued service on the Board.  Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any directorship or consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

 

 

 

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(i)  No Rights as Stockholder.  No Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Award shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under the Plan until he or she has become the holder of such Shares.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(b), Section 7(c) or the applicable Award Agreement, no adjustments shall be made for dividends or distributions on (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, Shares, or other securities or other property), or other events relating to, Shares subject to an Award for which the record date is prior to the date such Shares are delivered.

(j)  Governing Law.  The validity, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

(k)  Severability.  If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(l)  Other Laws; Restrictions on Transfer of Shares.  The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole and plenary discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Award granted hereunder shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Committee in its sole and plenary discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance with all applicable requirements of the U.S. Federal and any other applicable securities laws.

(m)  No Trust or Fund Created.  Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate, on one hand, and a Participant or any other Person, on the other.  To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or such Affiliate.

(n)  Recoupment of Awards.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an Award Agreement may provide that an Award granted thereunder shall be canceled if the Participant, without the consent of the Company, while employed by or providing services to the Company or any Affiliate or after termination of such employment or service, (a) violates a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant or agreement, (b) otherwise engages in activity that is in conflict with or adverse to the interest of the Company or any Affiliate, including fraud or conduct contributing to any financial restatements or irregularities, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion or (c) to the extent applicable to the Participant, otherwise violates any policy adopted by the Company or any of its Affiliates relating to the recovery of compensation granted, paid, delivered, awarded or otherwise provided to any Participant by the Company or any of its Affiliates as such policy is in effect on the date of grant of the applicable Award or, to the extent necessary to address the requirements of applicable law (including Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as codified in Section 10D of the Exchange Act, Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or any other applicable law), as may be amended from time to time. The Committee may also provide in an Award Agreement that (i) a Participant will forfeit any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of such Award if the Participant engages in any activity referred to in the preceding sentence, or (ii) a Participant must repay the gain to the Company realized under a previously paid Performance Compensation Award, Performance Unit or any other Award that vested or was earned with respect to performance objectives if a financial restatement reduces the amount that would have been earned under such Award.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the non-disclosure restrictions in this Section 9(n) or in any Award Agreement shall, or shall be interpreted to, impair the Participant from exercising any legally protected whistleblower rights (including under Rule 21F under the Exchange Act).

 

 

 

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(o)  No Fractional Shares.  No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.

(p)  Requirement of Consent and Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code or Similar Provision.  No election under Section 83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Section 83(b) of the Code) or under a similar provision of law may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election.  If an Award recipient, in connection with the acquisition of Shares under the Plan or otherwise, is expressly permitted under the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or by such Committee action to make such an election and the Participant makes the election, the Participant shall notify the Committee of such election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service (or any successor thereto) or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Section 83(b) of the Code or any other applicable provision.

(q)  Requirement of Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code.  If any Participant shall make any disposition of Shares delivered pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions) or any successor provision of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten days of such disposition.

 

 

 

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(r)  Headings and Construction.  Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.  Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in the Plan, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “but not limited to”, and the word “or” shall not be deemed to be exclusive.

SECTION 10.  Term of the Plan.  (a)  Effective Date.  The Plan shall be effective on the Distribution Date (such date, the “Effective Date”) provided it shall been have adopted by the Board and approved by the Company’s stockholder.

(b)  Expiration Date.  No Award shall be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted hereunder, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award, shall nevertheless continue thereafter.

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