2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan of ACM Research, Inc
Exhibit 10.10
ACM RESEARCH, INC.
2016 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
ACM RESEARCH, INC. sets forth herein the terms of its 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
1. PURPOSE
The Plan is intended to enhance the ability of the Company and its Affiliates to attract and retain highly qualified officers, Non-employee Directors, employees, consultants and advisors, and to motivate such individuals to serve the Company and its Affiliates and to expend maximum effort to improve the business results and earnings of the Company, by providing to such persons an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in the operations and future success of the Company. To this end, the Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock, other share-based awards and cash awards. Any of these awards may, but need not, be made as performance incentives to reward attainment of performance goals in accordance with the terms hereof.
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of interpreting the Plan and related documents (including Award Agreements), the following definitions shall apply:
2.1 Acquiror shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.2.1.
2.2 Affiliate means any company or other trade or business that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act, including any Subsidiary.
2.3 Award means a grant under the Plan of an Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, RSU, Other Share-based Award or cash award.
2.4 Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a Grantee, or notice from the Company or an Affiliate to a Grantee that evidences and sets out the terms and conditions of an Award.
2.5 Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.6 Cause shall be defined as that term is defined in the Grantees offer letter or other applicable employment agreement; or, if there is no such definition, Cause means, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement: (a) the commission of any act by a Grantee constituting financial dishonesty against the Company or its Affiliates (which act would be chargeable as a crime under applicable law); (b) a Grantees engaging in any other act of dishonesty, fraud, intentional misrepresentation, moral turpitude, illegality or harassment that would: (i) materially adversely affect the business or the reputation of the Company or any of its Affiliates with their respective current or prospective customers, suppliers, lenders or other third parties with whom such entity does or might do business or (ii) expose the Company or any of its Affiliates to a risk of civil or criminal legal damages, liabilities or penalties; (c) the repeated failure by a Grantee to follow the directives of the chief executive officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates or the Board; or (d) any material misconduct, violation of the Companys or Affiliates policies, or willful and deliberate non-performance of duty by the Grantee in connection with the business affairs of the Company or its Affiliates. A Separation from Service for Cause shall be deemed to include a determination by the Company in its sole discretion following a Participants Separation from Service that circumstances existing prior to such Separation from Service would have entitled the Company or an Affiliate to have terminated the Participants service for Cause. All rights a Participant has or may have under the Plan shall be suspended automatically during the pendency of any investigation by the Company, or during any negotiations between the Company and the Participant, regarding any actual or alleged act or omission by the Participant of the type described in the applicable definition of Cause.
2.7 Change in Control shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.2.2.
2.8 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
2.9 Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other committee as determined by the Board. The Compensation Committee of the Board may designate a subcommittee of its members to serve as the Committee (to the extent the Board has not designated another person, committee or entity as the Committee). Following the Initial Public Offering: (a) the Board shall cause the Committee to satisfy the applicable requirements of any securities exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed; (b) for purposes of Awards to Covered Employees intended to constitute Performance Awards, to the extent required by Section 162(m), Committee means all of the members of the Compensation Committee who are outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m); and (c) for purposes of Awards to Grantees who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, Committee means all of the members of the Compensation Committee who are non-employee directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 adopted under the Exchange Act.
2.10 Company means ACM Research, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
2.11 Common Stock means the Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company.
2.12 Consultant means a consultant or advisor that provides bona fide services to the Company or any Affiliate and who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under Rule 701 of the Securities Act (during any period in which the Company is not a public company subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act) or Form S-8 (during any period in which the Company is a public company subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act).
2.13 Covered Employee means a Grantee who is a covered employee within the meaning of Section 162(m) as qualified by Section 12.4.
2.14 Disability shall be defined as that term is defined in the Grantees offer letter or other applicable employment agreement; or, if there is no such definition, Disability means, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Grantee is unable to perform each of the essential duties of such Grantees position by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is potentially permanent in character or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; provided, however, that, with respect to rules regarding expiration of an Incentive Stock Option following termination of the Grantees employment, Disability means permanent and total disability as set forth in Code Section 22(e)(3).
2.15 Effective Date means December 28, 2016, which is the date on which the Plan was approved by the Board.
2.16 Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
2.17 Exchange Act Person means any natural person, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that Exchange Act Person shall not include (a) the Company or any Subsidiary, (b) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary, (c) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (d) an entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of capital stock of the Company, or (e) any natural person, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the date hereof, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent of the combined voting power of the Companys then-outstanding securities
2.18 Fair Market Value of a Share as of a particular date means (a) if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing or last price of the Common Stock on the composite tape or other comparable reporting system for the applicable date, or if the applicable date is not a trading day, the trading day immediately preceding the applicable date, or (b) if the Common Stock is not then listed on a national securities exchange, or the value of the Common Stock is not otherwise determinable, such value as determined by the Board.
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2.19 Grant Date means the latest to occur of (a) the date as of which the Board approves an Award, (b) the date on which the recipient of an Award first becomes eligible to receive an Award under Section 6 or (c) such other date as may be specified by the Board in the Award Agreement.
2.20 Grantee means a person who receives or holds an Award.
2.21 Holder means, with respect to any Issued Shares, the person holding such Issued Shares, including the initial Grantee or any Permitted Transferee.
2.22 Incentive Stock Option means an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422.
2.23 Initial Public Offering means the initial public offering of Shares pursuant to a registration statement (other than a Form S-8 or successor forms) filed with, and declared effective by, the SEC.
2.24 Issued Shares means, collectively, all outstanding Shares issued pursuant to Awards (including outstanding Shares of Restricted Stock prior to or after vesting and Shares issued in connection with the exercise of an Option or SAR).
2.25 New Shares shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.
2.26 Non-employee Director means a member of the Board or the board of directors of an Affiliate, in each case who is not an officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate.
2.27 Non-qualified Stock Option means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
2.28 Offered Shares shall have the meaning set forth in Section 17.4.1.
2.29 Offering shall have the meaning set forth in Section 17.5.
2.30 Option means an option to purchase one or more Shares pursuant to the Plan.
2.31 Option Price means the exercise price for each Share subject to an Option.
2.32 Other Share-based Awards means Awards consisting of Share units, or other Awards, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Shares.
2.33 Own, Owned, Owner, Ownership means a person or entity shall be deemed to Own, to have Owned, to be the Owner of, or to have acquired Ownership of securities if such person or entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
2.34 Performance Award means an Award made subject to the attainment of performance goals (as described in Section 12) over a performance period of at least one year.
2.35 Performance-Based Compensation means performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
2.36 Permitted Transferee means any of the following to whom a Holder may transfer Issued Shares hereunder (as set forth in Section 17.11.2): the Holders spouse, children (natural or adopted), stepchildren or a trust for their sole benefit of which the Holder is the settlor; provided, however, that any such trust does not require or permit distribution of any Issued Shares during the term of the Plan unless subject to its terms. Upon the death of the Holder, the term Permitted Transferees shall also include such deceased Holders estate, executors, administrators, personal representatives, heirs, legatees and distributees, as the case may be.
2.37 Plan means this ACM Research, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
2.38 Purchase Price means the purchase price for each Share pursuant to a grant of Restricted Stock.
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2.39 Restricted Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
2.40 Restricted Stock means restricted Shares, awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10.
2.41 Restricted Stock Unit or RSU means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of Shares, awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10.
2.42 SAR Exercise Price means the per Share exercise price of a SAR granted to a Grantee under Section 9.
2.43 SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
2.44 Section 162(m) means Code Section 162(m).
2.45 Section 409A means Code Section 409A.
2.46 Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.47 Separation from Service means the termination of the applicable Participants employment with, and performance of services for, the Company and each Affiliate. Unless otherwise determined by the Company in its sole discretion, if a Participants employment or board service with the Company or an Affiliate terminates but the Participant continues to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate in a nonemployee director capacity or as an employee, as applicable, such change in status shall not be deemed a Separation from Service. A Participant employed by, or performing services for, an Affiliate or a division of the Company or an Affiliate shall not be deemed to incur a Separation from Service if such Affiliate or division ceases to be an Affiliate or division of the Company, as the case may be, and the Participant immediately thereafter becomes an employee of (or service provider to), or member of the board of directors of, the Company or an Affiliate or a successor company or an affiliate or subsidiary thereof. Approved temporary absences from employment because of illness, vacation or leave of absence and transfers among the Company and its Affiliates shall not be considered Separations from Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A, Separation from Service shall mean a separation from service as defined under Section 409A.
2.48 Service Provider means an employee, officer, non-employee member of the Board or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate.
2.49 Share means a share of Common Stock.
2.50 Stock Appreciation Right or SAR means a right granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section 9.
2.51 Stockholders means the stockholders of the Company.
2.52 Subsidiary means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Code Section 424(f).
2.53 Substitute Award means any Award granted in assumption of or in substitution for an award of a company or business acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate combines.
2.54 Ten Percent Stockholder means an individual who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company, its parent or any of its Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d) shall be applied.
2.55 Termination Date means the date that is 10 years after the Effective Date, unless the Plan is earlier terminated by the Board under Section 5.2.
2.56 Transition Period means the period beginning with the consummation of an Initial Public Offering and ending as of the earlier of (a) the date of the first annual meeting of Stockholders at which directors are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which the Initial Public Offering occurs and (b) the expiration of the reliance period under Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(f)(2).
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3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
3.1 General
The Board shall have such powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan as are consistent with the Companys certificate of incorporation and bylaws and applicable law. The Board shall have the power and authority to delegate its responsibilities hereunder to the Committee, which shall have full authority to act in accordance with its charter (as in effect from time to time), and with respect to the power and authority of the Board to act hereunder, all references to the Board shall be deemed to include a reference to the Committee, unless such power or authority is specifically reserved by the Board. Except as specifically provided in Section 14 or as otherwise may be required by applicable law, regulatory requirement or the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of the Company, the Board shall have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement, and shall have full power and authority to take all such other actions and make all such other determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan that the Board deems to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan. Following the Initial Public Offering, the Committee shall administer the Plan; provided, however, the Board shall retain the right to exercise the authority of the Committee to the extent consistent with applicable law and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed. All actions, determinations and decisions by the Board or the Committee under the Plan or any Award Agreement, or with respect to any Award, shall be in the sole discretion of the Board and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons. Without limitation, the Board shall have full and final power and authority, subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, to:
(a) | designate Grantees; |
(b) | determine the type or types of Awards to be made to Grantees; |
(c) | determine the number of Shares to be subject to an Award; |
(d) | establish the terms and conditions of each Award (including the Option Price of any Option, the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an Award or the Shares subject thereto and any terms or conditions that may be necessary to qualify Options as Incentive Stock Options); |
(e) | prescribe the form of each Award Agreement; and |
(f) | amend, modify or supplement the terms of any outstanding Award, including the authority, in order to effectuate the purposes of the Plan, to modify Awards to foreign nationals or individuals who are employed outside the United States to recognize differences in local law, tax policy or custom. |
3.2 Separation from Service for Cause; Clawbacks; Breach of Restrictive Covenants
3.2.1 Separation from Service for Cause
The Company may annul an Award if the Grantee incurs a Separation from Service for Cause.
3.2.2 Clawbacks
All awards, amounts or benefits received or outstanding under the Plan shall be subject to clawback, cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback, reduction or other similar action in accordance with the terms of any Company clawback or similar policy or any applicable law related to such actions, as may be in effect from time to time. A Grantees acceptance of an Award shall be deemed to constitute the Grantees acknowledgement of and consent to the Companys application, implementation and enforcement of any
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applicable Company clawback or similar policy that may apply to the Grantee, whether adopted prior to or following the Effective Date, and any provision of applicable law relating to clawback, cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback or reduction of compensation, and the Grantees agreement that the Company may take such actions as may be necessary to effectuate any such policy or applicable law, without further consideration or action.
3.2.3 Breach of Restrictive Covenants
Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant breaches a non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure, non-disparagement or other restrictive covenant set forth in an Award Agreement or any other agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, whether during the Participants service or after the Participants Separation from Service, in addition to any other penalties or restrictions that may apply under any such agreement, state law or otherwise, the Participant shall forfeit or pay to the Company the following:
(a) | any and all outstanding Awards granted to the Participant, including Awards that have become vested or exercisable; |
(b) | any shares held by the Participant in connection with the Plan that were acquired by the Participant after the Participants Separation from Service and within the 12-month period immediately before the Participants Separation from Service; |
(c) | the profit realized by the Participant from the exercise of any Options or SARs that the Participant exercised after the Participants Separation from Service or within the 12-month period immediately before the Participants Separation from Service, which profit is the difference between the Option Price of the Option or SAR Exercise Price of the SAR and the Fair Market Value of any shares or cash acquired by the Participant upon exercise of such Option or SAR; and |
(d) | the profit realized by the Participant from the sale, or other disposition for consideration, of any shares received by the Participant in connection with the Plan after the Participants Separation from Service and within the 12-month period immediately before the Participants Separation from Service and where such sale or disposition occurs in such similar time period. |
3.3 Deferral Arrangement
The Board may permit or require the deferral of any Award payment into a deferred compensation arrangement, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish and in accordance with Section 409A, which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents, including converting such credits into deferred Share units.
3.4 No Liability
No member of the Board or of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any Award or Award Agreement.
3.5 Book Entry
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Company may elect to satisfy any requirement under the Plan for the delivery of stock certificates through the use of book entry.
4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
4.1 Authorized Number of Shares
Subject to adjustment under Section 15, the aggregate number of Shares that may be initially issued pursuant to the Plan shall be equal to the sum of (a) 7,000,000 Shares and (b) an annual increase on the first day of
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each year beginning in 2018 and ending in (and including) 2026 equal to the lesser of (i) 4% of the Shares outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such smaller number of Shares as may be determined by the Board. A maximum of 7,000,000 Shares shall be available for issuance under Incentive Stock Options under the Plan; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares added to the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1(b) shall be available for issuance as Incentive Stock Options only to the extent that making such Shares available for issuance as Incentive Stock Options would not cause any Incentive Stock Option to cease to qualify as such. To the extent permitted under applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules, Awards that provide for the delivery of Shares subsequent to the applicable grant date may be granted in excess of the limit set forth in this Section 4.1 if such Awards provide for the forfeiture or cash settlement of such Awards to the extent that insufficient Shares remain under the share limit in this Section 4.1 at the time that Shares would otherwise be issued in respect of such Award. Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased on the open market or otherwise.
4.2 Share Counting
Any Award settled in cash shall not be counted as issued Shares for any purpose under the Plan. If any Award expires, or is terminated, surrendered or forfeited, in whole or in part, the unissued Shares covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards. If Shares issued pursuant to the Plan are repurchased by, or are surrendered or forfeited to the Company at no more than cost, such Shares shall again be available for the grant of Awards. If Shares issuable upon exercise, vesting or settlement of an Award, or Shares owned by a Grantee (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest), are surrendered or tendered to the Company in payment of the Option Price or Purchase Price of an Award or any taxes required to be withheld in respect of an Award, in each case, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, such surrendered or tendered Shares shall again be available for the grant of Awards. Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the number of Shares available for the grant of Awards.
4.3 Section 162(m) Limits
No later than the end of the Transition Period, the maximum number of Shares for each type of Other Share-based Award, and the maximum amount of cash for any cash-based Award, intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation granted to any Grantee in any specified period shall be established by the Company and approved by the Stockholders.
5. EFFECTIVE DATE; AMENDMENT and termination
5.1 Effective Date
The Plan is effective as of the Effective Date.
5.2 Amendment and Termination of the Plan
The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as to any Awards which have not been made. An amendment shall be contingent on approval of the Stockholders to the extent stated by the Board, required by applicable law or required by applicable securities exchange listing requirements. No Awards shall be made after the Termination Date. The applicable terms of the Plan, and any terms and conditions applicable to Awards granted prior to the Termination Date, shall survive the termination of the Plan and continue to apply to such Awards. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Grantee, materially impair rights or obligations under any Award theretofore awarded.
6. AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS
6.1 Service Providers
Subject to this Section 6, Awards may be made to any Service Provider as the Board may determine and designate from time to time.
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6.2 Successive Awards
An eligible person may receive more than one Award, subject to such restrictions as are provided herein.
6.3 Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards
Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Company, any Affiliate or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate, or any other right of a Grantee to receive payment from the Company or any Affiliate. Such additional, tandem or substitute or exchange Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another award, the Board shall have the right to require the surrender of such other award in consideration for the grant of the new Award. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Board may make Awards in substitution or exchange for any other award under another plan of the Company, any Affiliate or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash amounts payable under other plans of the Company or any Affiliate, in which the value of Shares subject to the Award is equivalent in value to the cash compensation (for example, RSUs or Restricted Stock).
7. AWARD AGREEMENT
The grant of any Award may be contingent upon the Grantee executing an appropriate Award Agreement, in such form or forms as the Board shall from time to time determine. Without limiting the foregoing, an Award Agreement may be provided in the form of a notice which provides that acceptance of the Award constitutes acceptance of all terms of the Plan and the notice. Award Agreements granted from time to time or at the same time need not contain similar provisions but shall be consistent with the terms of the Plan. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Award of Options shall specify whether such Options are intended to be Non-qualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, and in the absence of such specification such options shall be deemed Non-qualified Stock Options.
8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS
8.1 Option Price
The Option Price of each Option shall be fixed by the Board and stated in the related Award Agreement. The Option Price of each Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (except those that constitute Substitute Awards) shall be at least the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date; provided, however, that in the event that a Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder as of the Grant Date, the Option Price of an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date. In no case shall the Option Price of any Option be less than the par value of a Share.
8.2 Vesting
Subject to Section 8.3, each Option shall become exercisable at such times and under such conditions (including performance requirements) as stated in the Award Agreement.
8.3 Term
Each Option shall terminate, and all rights to purchase Shares thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of the Option term stated in the Award Agreement not to exceed 10 years from the Grant Date, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Board and stated in the related Award Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that the Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option at the Grant Date shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from its Grant Date.
8.4 Limitations on Exercise of Option
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in no event may any Option be exercised, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of an event which results in termination of the Option.
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8.5 Method of Exercise
An Option that is exercisable may be exercised by the Grantees delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares. To be effective, notice of exercise must be made in accordance with procedures established by the Company from time to time.
8.6 Rights of Holders of Options
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, an individual holding or exercising an Option shall have none of the rights of a Stockholder (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the subject Shares or to direct the voting of the subject Shares) until the Shares covered thereby are fully paid and issued to him. Except as provided in Section 15 or the related Award Agreement, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance.
8.7 Delivery of Stock Certificates
Promptly after the exercise of an Option by a Grantee and the payment in full of the Option Price, such Grantee shall be entitled to the issuance of a stock certificate or certificates evidencing his or her ownership of the Shares subject to the Option.
8.8 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options
An Option shall constitute an Incentive Stock Option only (a) if the Grantee of such Option is an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; (b) to the extent specifically provided in the related Award Agreement; and (c) to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options held by such Grantee become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Grantees employer and its Affiliates) does not exceed $100,000. This limitation shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted. No Option shall be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless the Plan has been approved by the Stockholders in a manner intended to comply with the stockholder approval requirements of Code Section 422(b)(i); provided that any Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not fail to be effective solely on account of a failure to obtain such approval, but rather such Option shall be treated as a Non-qualified Stock Option unless and until such approval is obtained.
8.9 Early Exercise
An Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Grantee may elect at any time before the Grantees Separation from Service to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the Shares subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Any unvested Shares so purchased may be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate.
9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
9.1 Right to Payment
A SAR shall confer on the Grantee a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over (b) the SAR Exercise Price. The Award Agreement for a SAR shall specify the SAR Exercise Price. SARs may be granted alone or in conjunction with all or part of an Option or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option or in conjunction with all or part of any other Award.
9.2 Other Terms
The Board shall determine at the Grant Date or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the time or times at which SARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following Separation from Service or upon other conditions, the method of exercise, whether or not a SAR shall be in tandem or in combination with any other Award and any other terms and conditions of any SAR.
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9.3 Term of SARs
The term of a SAR granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Board; provided, however, that such term shall not exceed 10 years.
9.4 Payment of SAR Amount
Upon exercise of a SAR, a Grantee shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company (in cash or Shares, as set forth in the Award Agreement) in an amount determined by multiplying:
(a) | the difference between the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over the SAR Exercise Price; by |
(b) | the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. |
10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
10.1 Restrictions
At the time of grant, the Board may establish a period of time (a Restricted Period) and any additional restrictions including the satisfaction of corporate or individual performance objectives applicable to an Award of Restricted Stock or RSUs. Each Award of Restricted Stock or RSUs may be subject to a different Restricted Period and additional restrictions. Neither Restricted Stock nor RSUs may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of any other applicable restrictions.
10.2 Restricted Stock Certificates
The Company shall issue Shares, in the name of each Grantee to whom Restricted Stock has been granted, stock certificates or other evidence of ownership representing the total number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Grantee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date. The Board may provide in an Award Agreement that either (a) the Secretary of the Company shall hold such certificates for the Grantees benefit until such time as the Restricted Stock is forfeited to the Company or the restrictions lapse or (b) such certificates shall be delivered to the Grantee; provided, however, that such certificates shall bear a legend or legends that comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and make appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed under the Plan and the Award Agreement.
10.3 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, holders of Restricted Stock shall have rights as Stockholders, including voting and dividend rights.
10.4 Rights of Holders of RSUs
10.4.1 Settlement of RSUs
RSUs may be settled in cash or Shares, as set forth in the Award Agreement. The Award Agreement shall also set forth whether the RSUs shall be settled (a) within the time period specified in Section 409A for short term deferrals or (b) otherwise within the requirements of Section 409A, in which case the Award Agreement shall specify upon which events such RSUs shall be settled.
10.4.2 Voting and Dividend Rights
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, holders of RSUs shall not have rights as Stockholders, including voting or dividend or dividend equivalents rights.
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10.4.3 Creditors Rights
A holder of RSUs shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. RSUs represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement.
10.5 Purchase of Restricted Stock
The Grantee shall be required, to the extent required by applicable law, to purchase the Restricted Stock from the Company at a Purchase Price equal to the greater of (a) the aggregate par value of the Shares represented by such Restricted Stock or (b) the Purchase Price, if any, specified in the related Award Agreement. If specified in the Award Agreement, the Purchase Price may be deemed paid by services already rendered. The Purchase Price shall be payable in a form described in Section 11 or, if so determined by the Board, in consideration for past services rendered.
10.6 Delivery of Shares
Upon the expiration or termination of any Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Board, the restrictions applicable to Shares of Restricted Stock or RSUs settled in Shares shall lapse, and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a stock certificate for such Shares shall be delivered, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee or the Grantees beneficiary or estate, as the case may be.
11. FORM OF PAYMENT FOR OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK
11.1 General Rule
Payment of the Option Price for the Shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the Purchase Price for Restricted Stock shall be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to the Company, except as provided in this Section 11.
11.2 Surrender of Shares
To the extent the Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for Shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the Purchase Price for Restricted Stock may be made all or in part through the tender to the Company of Shares, which Shares shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which the Option Price or Purchase Price for Restricted Stock has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise or surrender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the right to make payment in the form of already-owned Shares may be authorized only at the time of grant.
11.3 Cashless Exercise
With respect to an Option only (and not with respect to Restricted Stock) following the Initial Public Offering, to the extent permitted by law and to the extent the Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form acceptable to the Company) of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Company to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company in payment of the Option Price and any withholding taxes described in Section 17.3.
11.4 Other Forms of Payment
To the extent the Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price or the Purchase Price for Restricted Stock may be made in any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules, including the Companys withholding of Shares otherwise due to the exercising Grantee.
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12. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS
12.1 Performance Conditions
The right of a Grantee to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Board. The Board may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions, and may reduce the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions, except as limited under Section 12.2 in the case of Performance-Based Compensation.
12.2 Performance Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees
If and to the extent that the Board determines that a Performance Award to be granted to a Grantee who is designated by the Board as likely to be a Covered Employee should qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Award shall be contingent upon achievement of pre-established performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 12.2. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board may provide for Performance Awards to Covered Employees that are not intended qualify as Performance-Based Compensation.
12.2.1 Performance Goals Generally
The performance goals for Performance Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each of such criteria, as specified by the Board consistent with this Section 12.2. Following the end of the Transition Period, performance goals shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Section 162(m), including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Board result in the achievement of performance goals being substantially uncertain. The Board may determine that Performance Awards shall be granted, exercised and/or settled upon achievement of any one performance goal or that two or more of the performance goals must be achieved as a condition to grant, exercise and/or settlement of the Performance Awards. Performance goals may be established on a Company-wide basis, or with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates or business segments, as applicable. Performance goals may be absolute or relative (to the performance of one or more comparable companies or indices). Measurement of performance goals may exclude the impact of charges for restructuring, discontinued operations and other extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items, and the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes (each as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and as identified in the Companys financial statements or other SEC filings). Performance goals may differ for Performance Awards granted to any one Grantee or to different Grantees.
12.2.2 Business Criteria
One or more of the following business criteria for the Company, on a consolidated basis, and/or specified Affiliates or business units of the Company (except with respect to the total stockholder return and earnings per share criteria), shall be used exclusively by the Board in establishing performance goals for Performance Awards: (a) cash flow; (b) earnings per share, as adjusted for any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization; (c) earnings measures; (d) return on equity; (e) total stockholder return; (f) share price performance, as adjusted for any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization; (g) return on capital; (h) revenue; (i) income; (j) profit margin; (k) return on operating revenue; (l) brand recognition or acceptance; (m) customer satisfaction; (n) productivity; (o) expense targets; (p) market share; (q) cost control measures; (r) balance sheet metrics; (s) strategic initiatives; (t) implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to recruitment or retention of personnel or employee satisfaction; or (u) any other business criteria established by the Board; provided, however, that such business criteria shall include any derivations of business criteria listed above (e.g., income shall include pre-tax income, net income and operating income).
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12.2.3 Timing for Establishing Performance Goals
Following the Transition Period, performance goals shall be established not later than 90 days after the beginning of any performance period applicable to Performance Awards, or at such other date as may be required or permitted for Performance-Based Compensation.
12.2.4 Settlement of Performance Awards; Other Terms
Settlement of Performance Awards may be in cash, Shares, other Awards or other property. The Board may reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Performance Awards.
12.3 Written Determinations
All determinations by the Board as to the establishment of performance goals, the amount of any Performance Award pool or potential individual Performance Awards and the achievement of performance goals relating to Performance Awards, shall be made in writing in the case of any Award intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation to the extent required by Section 162(m). To the extent permitted by Section 162(m), the Board may delegate any responsibility relating to Performance Awards.
12.4 Status of Section 12.2 Awards under Section 162(m)
The provisions of this Section 12.4 are applicable following the Transition Period. The validity and exercisability of any and all Awards that are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation granted after the Transition Period are contingent upon approval of the Plan by the Stockholders in a manner intended to comply with the stockholder approval requirements of Section 162(m). It is the intent of the Company that Performance Awards under Section 12.2 granted to persons who are designated by the Board as likely to be Covered Employees within the meaning of Section 162(m) shall, if so designated by the Board, qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. Accordingly, the terms of Section 12.2, including the definitions of Covered Employee and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Section 162(m). The foregoing notwithstanding, because the Board cannot determine with certainty whether a given Grantee will be a Covered Employee with respect to a fiscal year that has not yet been completed, the term Covered Employee as used herein shall mean only a person designated by the Board, at the time of grant of Performance Awards, as likely to be a Covered Employee with respect to that fiscal year. If any provision of the Plan or any agreement relating to such Performance Awards does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Section 162(m), such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.
13. OTHER SHARE-BASED AWARDS
13.1 Grant of Other Share-based Awards
Other Share-based Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in conjunction with other Awards. Other Share-based Awards may be granted in lieu of other cash or other compensation to which a Service Provider is entitled from the Company or may be used in the settlement of amounts payable in Shares under any other compensation plan or arrangement of the Company, including any other Company incentive compensation plan. The Board shall determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Awards will be made, the number of Shares to be granted pursuant to such Awards, and all other terms and conditions of such Awards. Unless the Board determines otherwise, any such Award shall be confirmed by an Award Agreement, which shall contain such provisions as the Board determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of the Plan with respect to such Award.
13.2 Terms of Other Share-based Awards
Any Common Stock subject to Awards made under this Section 13 may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered prior to the date on which the Shares are issued, or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period lapses.
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14. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW
14.1 General
The Company shall not be required to sell or issue any Shares under any Award if the sale or issuance of such Shares would constitute a violation by the Grantee, any other individual exercising an Option or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority, including any federal or state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Board determines that the listing, registration or qualification of any Shares subject to an Award upon any securities exchange or under any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of Shares hereunder, no Shares may be issued or sold to the Grantee or any other individual exercising an Option pursuant to such Award unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of the Award. Specifically, in connection with the Securities Act, upon the exercise of any Option or the delivery of any Shares underlying an Award, unless a registration statement under such Act is in effect with respect to the Shares covered by such Award, the Company shall not be required to sell or issue such Shares unless the Board has received evidence satisfactory to it that the Grantee or any other individual exercising an Option may acquire such Shares pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. The Company may, but shall in no event be obligated to, register any securities covered hereby pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Option or the issuance of Shares pursuant to the Plan to comply with any law or regulation of any governmental authority. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that an Option shall not be exercisable until the Shares covered by such Option are registered or are exempt from registration, the exercise of such Option (under circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply) shall be deemed conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of such an exemption. The Committee may require the Participant to sign such additional documentation, make such representations and furnish such information as it may consider appropriate in connection with the grant of Awards or issuance or delivery of Shares in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
14.2 Rule 16b-3
During any time when the Company has a class of equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that Awards and the exercise of Options will qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision of the Plan or action by the Board or Committee does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3, it shall be deemed inoperative to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Board, and shall not affect the validity of the Plan. In the event that Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Board may modify the Plan in any respect necessary to satisfy the requirements of, or to take advantage of any features of, the revised exemption or its replacement.
15. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION
15.1 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure
Subject to any required action by the Stockholders, in the event of any change in the Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the Stockholders in a form other than Shares (excepting normal cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Awards, and in the Option Price, SAR Exercise Price or Purchase Price per Share of any outstanding Awards in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Grantees rights under the Plan. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as effected without receipt of consideration by the Company. If a majority of the Shares which are of the same class as the Shares that are subject to outstanding Awards are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to a Change in Control) shares of another corporation (the New Shares), the Board may unilaterally amend the outstanding Awards to provide that such Awards are for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of Shares subject to, and the Option Price, SAR Exercise Price or Purchase Price per Share of, the outstanding Awards shall be adjusted in a fair
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and equitable manner. Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 15.1 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number and the Option Price, SAR Exercise Price or Purchase Price per share shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. In no event may the exercise price of any Award be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Award. The Board may also make such adjustments in the terms of any Award to reflect, or related to, such changes in the capital structure of the Company or distributions as it deems appropriate. Adjustments determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 15.1 shall be made in accordance with Section 409A to the extent applicable.
15.2 Change in Control
15.2.1 Consequences of a Change in Control
Subject to the requirements and limitations of Section 409A if applicable, the Board may provide for any one or more of the following in connection with a Change in Control, which such actions need not be the same for all Grantees:
(a) | Accelerated Vesting. The Board may provide in any Award Agreement, or in the event of a Change in Control may take such actions as it deems appropriate to provide, for the acceleration of the exercisability, vesting and/or settlement in connection with such Change in Control of each or any outstanding Award or portion thereof and Shares acquired pursuant thereto upon such terms and conditions, including a Grantees Separation from Service prior to, upon, or following such Change in Control, to such extent as determined by the Board. |
(b) | Assumption, Continuation or Substitution. In the event of a Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the Acquiror), may, without the consent of any Grantee, either assume or continue the Companys rights and obligations under each or any Award or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control or substitute for each or any such outstanding Award or portion thereof a substantially equivalent award with respect to the Acquirors stock, as applicable. For purposes of this Section 15.2.1, an Award denominated in Shares shall be deemed assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a Stockholder on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled; provided, however, that if such consideration is not solely common stock of the Acquiror, the Board may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise or settlement of the Award, for each Share subject to the Award, to consist solely of common stock of the Acquiror equal in Fair Market Value to the per Share consideration received by Stockholders pursuant to the Change in Control. If any portion of such consideration may be received by Stockholders pursuant to the Change in Control on a contingent or delayed basis, the Board may determine such Fair Market Value as of the time of the Change in Control on the basis of the Boards estimate of the present value of the probable future payment of such consideration. Any Award or portion thereof which is neither assumed or continued by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised or settled as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control. |
(c) | Cash-Out of Awards. The Board may, without the consent of any Grantee, determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each or any Award or a portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control and not previously exercised or settled shall be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to each vested Share (and each unvested Share, if so determined by the Board) subject to such canceled Award |
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in (i) cash, (ii) stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the Change in Control or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per Share in the Change in Control, reduced by the exercise or purchase price per Share, if any, under such Award. If any portion of such consideration may be received by Stockholders pursuant to the Change in Control on a contingent or delayed basis, the Board may determine such Fair Market Value as of the time of the Change in Control on the basis of the Boards estimate of the present value of the probable future payment of such consideration. In the event such determination is made by the Board, the amount of such payment (reduced by applicable withholding taxes, if any) shall be paid to Grantees in respect of the vested portions of their canceled Awards as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control and in respect of the unvested portions of their canceled Awards in accordance with the vesting schedules applicable to such Awards. For avoidance of doubt, if the amount determined pursuant to this Section 15.2.1(c) for an Option or SAR is zero or less, the affected Option or SAR may be cancelled without any payment therefore. |
15.2.2 Change in Control Defined
Unless other provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Change in Control means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events following the Effective Date:
(a) | any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (i) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (ii) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Companys securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (iii) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the Subject Person) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur; |
(b) | there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (i) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (ii) more than fifty percent of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; |
(c) | there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries, other |
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than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries to an entity, more than fifty percent of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or |
(d) | individuals who, on the date hereof, are members of the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that an Award is subject to the requirements of Section 409A and payable upon a Change in Control, the Company will not be deemed to have undergone a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan unless the Company is deemed to have undergone a change in control event pursuant to the definition of such term in Section 409A.
15.3 Adjustments
Adjustments under this Section 15 related to Shares or other securities of the Company shall be made by the Board. No fractional Shares or other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole Share.
16. No Limitations on Company
The making of Awards shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
17. TERMS APPLICABLE GENERALLY TO AWARDS GRANTED UNDER THE PLAN
17.1 Disclaimer of Rights
No provision in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall be construed to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate, or to interfere in any way with any contractual or other right or authority of the Company or any Affiliate either to increase or decrease the compensation or other payments to any individual at any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship between any individual and the Company or any Affiliate. In addition, notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, no Award granted under the Plan shall be affected by any change of duties or position of the Grantee, so long as such Grantee continues to be a Service Provider. The obligation of the Company to pay any benefits pursuant to the Plan shall be interpreted as a contractual obligation to pay only those amounts described herein, in the manner and under the conditions prescribed herein. The Plan shall in no way be interpreted to require the Company to transfer any amounts to a third party trustee or otherwise hold any amounts in trust or escrow for payment to any Grantee or beneficiary under the terms of the Plan.
17.2 Nonexclusivity of the Plan
Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the submission of the Plan to the Stockholders for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations upon the right or authority of the Board or its delegate to adopt such other compensation arrangements as the Board or its delegate determines desirable.
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17.3 Withholding Taxes
The Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to a Grantee any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld (a) with respect to the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award, (b) upon the issuance of any Shares upon the exercise of an Option or SAR or (c) otherwise due in connection with an Award. At the time of such vesting, lapse or exercise, the Grantee shall pay to the Company or the Affiliate, as the case may be, any amount that the Company or the Affiliate may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation. Subject to the prior approval of the Board, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such obligations, in whole or in part, (i) by causing the Company or the Affiliate to withhold the minimum required number of Shares otherwise issuable to the Grantee as may be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation or (ii) by delivering to the Company or the Affiliate Shares already owned by the Grantee. The Shares so delivered or withheld shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding obligations. The Fair Market Value of the Shares used to satisfy such withholding obligation shall be determined by the Company or the Affiliate as of the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. A Grantee who has made an election pursuant to this Section 17.3 may satisfy his or her withholding obligation only with Shares that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.
17.4 Right of First Refusal; Right to Repurchase
17.4.1 Right of First Refusal
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, stockholders agreement or other agreement to which a Holder is a party, at any time prior to registration by the Company of its Common Stock under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in the event that the Holder desires at any time to sell or otherwise transfer all or any part of such Holders Issued Shares (to the extent vested), the Holder first shall give written notice to the Company of the Holders intention to make such transfer. Such notice shall state the number of Issued Shares which the Holder proposes to sell (the Offered Shares), the price and the terms at which the proposed sale is to be made and the name and address of the proposed transferee. At any time within 30 days after the receipt of such notice by the Company, the Company or its assigns may elect to purchase all or any portion of the Offered Shares at the price and on the terms offered by the proposed transferee and specified in the notice. The Company or its assigns shall exercise this right by mailing or delivering written notice to the Holder within the foregoing 30-day period. If the Company or its assigns elect to exercise its purchase rights under this Section 17.4.1, the closing for such purchase shall, in any event, take place within 45 days after the receipt by the Company of the initial notice from the Holder. In the event that the Company or its assigns do not elect to exercise such purchase right, or in the event that the Company or its assigns do not pay the full purchase price within such 45-day period, the Holder may, within 60 days thereafter, sell the Offered Shares to the proposed transferee at the same price and on the same terms as specified in the Holders notice. Any Issued Shares purchased by such proposed transferee shall continue to be subject to the terms of the Plan. Any Issued Shares not sold to the proposed transferee shall remain subject to the Plan.
17.4.2 Right of Repurchase
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, stockholders agreement or other agreement to which a Grantee is a party, at any time prior to registration by the Company of its Common Stock under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in the case of any Grantee whose Separation from Service is for Cause, or where the Grantee has, in the Boards reasonable determination, taken any action prior to or following his Separation from Service which would have constituted grounds for Cause, the Company shall have the right, exercisable at any time and from time to time thereafter, to repurchase from the Grantee (or any successor in interest by purchase, gift or other mode of transfer) any Shares issued to such Grantee under the Plan for the purchase price paid by the Grantee for such Shares (or the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock at the time of repurchase, if lower).
17.5 Market Standoff Requirement
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, stockholders agreement or other agreement to which a Grantee is a party, in connection with any underwritten public offering of its Common Stock
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(Offering) and upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing the Offering, Grantees shall not be permitted to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise directly or indirectly dispose of any Shares delivered under the Plan (other than those Shares included in the Offering) without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time from the effective date of the registration statement with respect to such Offering as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters in connection with such Offering.
17.6 Other Provisions; Legends
Each Award Agreement may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Board. Any stock certificates for any Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Company in its sole discretion may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC, any securities exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Company in its sole discretion may cause a legend or legends to be placed on such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
17.7 Severability
If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.
17.8 Governing Law
The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof or principles of conflicts of laws of any other jurisdiction that could cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. For purposes of resolving any dispute that arises directly or indirectly in connection with the Plan, each Participant, by virtue of receiving an Award, shall be deemed to have submitted to and consented to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of Delaware and to have agreed that any related litigation shall be conducted solely in the state courts of Delaware and any federal court located in the State of Delaware, where the Plan is made and/or to be performed, and no other courts.
17.9 Section 409A
The Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the short-term deferral period as defined in Section 409A shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six-month period immediately following the Grantees Separation from Service shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six-month anniversary of the Grantees Separation from Service (or the Grantees death, if earlier). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Grantee under Section 409A and neither the Company nor the Board shall have any liability to any Grantee for such tax or penalty.
17.10 Separation from Service
The Board shall determine the effect of a Separation from Service upon Awards, and such effect shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Board may provide in the Award Agreements at the time of grant, or any time thereafter with the consent of the Grantee, the actions that will be taken upon the occurrence of a Separation from Service, including accelerated vesting or termination, depending upon the circumstances surrounding the Separation from Service.
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17.11 Transferability of Awards and Issued Shares
17.11.1 Transfers in General
No Award shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order by a court of competent jurisdiction, and, during the lifetime of the Grantee, only the Grantee personally (or the Grantees personal representative) may exercise rights under the Plan.
17.11.2 Issued Shares
No Issued Shares shall be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, given away or in any other manner disposed of or encumbered, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, unless (a) such transfer is in compliance with the terms of the applicable Award, all applicable securities laws, and with the terms and conditions of the Plan (including Sections 17.4 and 17.5 and this Section 17.11.2), (b) such transfer does not cause the Company to become subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and (c) the transferee consents in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan (including Sections 17.4 and 17.5 and this Section 17.11.2). In connection with any proposed transfer, the Board may require the transferor to provide at the transferors own expense an opinion of counsel to the transferor, satisfactory to the Board, that such transfer is in compliance with all foreign, federal and state securities laws. Any attempted disposition of Issued Shares not in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Section 17.11.2 shall be null and void, and the Company shall not reflect on its records any change in record ownership of any Issued Shares as a result of any such disposition, shall otherwise refuse to recognize any such disposition and shall not in any way give effect to any such disposition of Issued Shares. Subject to the foregoing general provisions, and unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, Issued Shares may be transferred pursuant to the following specific terms and conditions:
(i) | Transfers to Permitted Transferees. The Holder may sell, assign, transfer or give away any or all of the Issued Shares to Permitted Transferees; provided, however, that following such sale, assignment or other transfer, such Issued Shares shall continue to be subject to the terms of the Plan (including Sections 17.4 and 17.5 and this Section 17.11.2) and such Permitted Transferee(s) shall, as a condition to any such transfer, deliver a written acknowledgment to that effect to the Company. |
(ii) | Transfers upon Death. Upon the death of the Holder, any Issued Shares then held by the Holder at the time of such death and any Issued Shares acquired thereafter by the Holders legal representative shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the Holders estate, executors, administrators, personal representatives, heirs, legatees and distributees shall be obligated to convey such Issued Shares to the Company or its assigns under the terms contemplated hereby. |
17.12 Dividends and Dividend Equivalent Rights
If specified in the Award Agreement, the recipient of an Award may be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to the Common Stock or other securities covered by an Award. The terms and conditions of a dividend equivalent right may be set forth in the Award Agreement. Dividend equivalents credited to a Grantee may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional Shares or other securities of the Company at a price per unit equal to the Fair Market Value on the date that such dividend was paid to Stockholders.
17.13 Data Protection
A Participants acceptance of an Award shall be deemed to constitute the Participants acknowledgement of and consent to the collection and processing of personal data relating to the Participant so that the Company and the Affiliates can fulfill their obligations and exercise their rights under the Plan and generally administer and manage the Plan. This data shall include data about participation in the Plan and Shares offered or received, purchased or sold under the Plan and other appropriate financial and other data (such as the date on which the Awards were granted) about the Participant and the Participants participation in the Plan.
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17.14 Section 25102(o) of the California Corporations Code
This Plan is intended to comply with Section 25102(o) of the California Corporations Code. In that regard, to the extent required by Section 25102(o), (a) the terms of any Options or SARs, to the extent vested and exercisable upon a Grantees Separation from Service, shall include any minimum exercise periods following Separation from Service specified by Section 25102(o), and (b) any repurchase right of the Company with respect to shares of Stock issued under the Plan shall include a minimum 90-day notice requirement. Any provision of this Plan which is inconsistent with Section 25102(o) shall, without further act or amendment by the Company or the Board, be reformed to comply with the requirements of Section 25102(o).
17.15 Plan Construction
In the Plan, unless otherwise stated, the following uses apply: (a) references to a statute or law refer to the statute or law and any amendments and any successor statutes or laws, and to all valid and binding governmental regulations, court decisions and other regulatory and judicial authority issued or rendered thereunder, as amended, or their successors, as in effect at the relevant time; (b) in computing periods from a specified date to a later specified date, the words from and commencing on (and the like) mean from and including, and the words to, until and ending on (and the like) mean to and including; (c) indications of time of day shall be based upon the time applicable to the location of the principal headquarters of the Company; (d) the words include, includes and including (and the like) mean include, without limitation, includes, without limitation and including, without limitation (and the like), respectively; (e) all references to articles and sections are to articles and sections in the Plan; (f) all words used shall be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances and context require; (g) the captions and headings of articles and sections have been inserted solely for convenience of reference and shall not be considered a part of the Plan, nor shall any of them affect the meaning or interpretation of the Plan or any of its provisions; (h) any reference to an agreement, plan, policy, form, document or set of documents, and the rights and obligations of the parties under any such agreement, plan, policy, form, document or set of documents, shall mean such agreement, plan, policy, form, document or set of documents as amended from time to time, and any and all modifications, extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements thereof; and (i) all accounting terms not specifically defined shall be construed in accordance with GAAP.
Adopted by the Board: December 28, 2016
Approved by the Stockholders: , 2017
Scheduled Termination Date: December 27, 2026
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