THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY 2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

EX-10.28 2 d459933dex1028.htm EX-10.28 EX-10.28

Exhibit 10.28

THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY

2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose

The purpose of The Corporate Executive Board Company 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the interests of The Corporate Executive Board Company (the “Company”) by stimulating the efforts of employees, officers and, to the extent provided by Section 5(d) and Section 5(e), non-employee directors and other service providers, in each case who are selected to be Plan participants, by heightening the desire of such persons to continue in working toward and contributing to the success and progress of the Company. The Plan supersedes the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan with respect to future awards, and provides for the grant of Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, any of which may be performance-based, and for Incentive Bonuses, which may be paid in cash or stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator.

2. Definitions

As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Plan in accordance with Section 18.

(b) “Award” means an Incentive Stock Option, Non-Qualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Deferred Stock Unit or Incentive Bonus granted to a Participant pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, any of which the Administrator may structure to qualify in whole or in part as a Performance Award.

(c) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement or other instrument as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator implementing the grant of each Award. An Agreement may be in the form of an agreement to be executed by both the Participant and the Company (or an authorized representative of the Company) or certificates, notices or similar instruments as approved by the Administrator.

(d) “Board of Directors” or “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rulings and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(f) “Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, par value $.01, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.

(g) “Company” means The Corporate Executive Board Company, a Delaware corporation.

(h) “Deferred Stock Unit” or “DSU” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 9 representing the unfunded and unsecured right to receive Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, at the end of a specified deferral period.

(i) “Incentive Bonus” means a bonus opportunity awarded under Section 10 pursuant to which a Participant may become entitled to receive an amount based on satisfaction of such performance criteria as are specified in the Award Agreement.

(j) “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means a stock option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(k) “Non-Employee Director” means each person who is, or is elected to be, a member of the Board of Directors and who is not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

(l) “Option” means an ISO and/or a NQSO granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.

(m) “Participant” means any individual described in Section 3 to whom Awards have been granted from time to time by the Administrator and any authorized transferee of such individual.

(n) “Performance Award” means an Award, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting or settlement of which is subject to satisfaction of one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria established pursuant to Section 13.

(o) “Plan” means The Corporate Executive Board Company 2012 Stock Incentive Plan as set forth herein and as amended from time to time.

(p) “Prior Plans” mean The Corporate Executive Board Company 1999 Stock Option Plan, The Corporate Executive Board Company 2001 Stock Option Plan, The Corporate Executive Board Company 2002 Non-Executive Stock Incentive Plan and the Corporate Executive Board Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (in each case, as amended).

(q) “Qualifying Performance Criteria” has the meaning set forth in Section 13(b). As used in Section 13(b), the term “contract value” means the aggregate annualized revenue attributed to all agreements in effect at a given date without regard to the remaining duration of any such agreement, and the term “client renewal rate” means the percentage of member institutions renewed, adjusted to reflect reductions in member institutions resulting from mergers and acquisitions of members.

(r) “Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.

(s) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8 pursuant to which shares of Common Stock may be issued in the future.

(t) “Retirement” has the meaning specified by the Administrator in the terms of an Award Agreement or, in the absence of any such term, shall mean, with respect to Participants other than Non-Employee Directors, retirement from active employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) at or after age 55 and with the approval of the Administrator or (ii) at or after age 65. The determination of the Administrator as to an individual’s Retirement shall be conclusive on all parties.

(u) “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan that entitles the Participant to receive, in cash or shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, value equal to or otherwise based on the excess of (i) the market price of a specified number of shares of Common Stock at the time of exercise over (ii) the exercise price of the right, as established by the Administrator on the date of grant.

(v) “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company where each of the corporations in the unbroken chain other than the last corporation owns stock possessing at least 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain, and if specifically determined by the Administrator in the context other than with respect to Incentive Stock Options, may include an entity in which the Company has a significant ownership interest or that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company.


(w) “Termination of Employment” means ceasing to serve as a full-time employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries or, with respect to a Non-Employee Director or other non-employee service provider, ceasing to serve as such for the Company, except that (i) subject to Section 6(c), an approved leave of absence or approved employment on a less than full-time basis may constitute employment as determined by the Administrator, (ii) the Administrator may determine that a transition of employment to service with a partnership, joint venture or corporation not meeting the requirements of a Subsidiary in which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party is not considered a “Termination of Employment,” (iii) service as a member of the Board of Directors shall constitute continued employment with respect to Awards granted to a Participant while he or she served as an employee and (iv) service as an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary shall constitute continued employment with respect to Awards granted to a Participant while he or she served as a member of the Board of Directors. The Administrator shall determine whether any corporate transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a Termination of Employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for purposes of any affected Participant’s Options, and the Administrator’s decision shall be final and binding.

(x) “Total and Permanent Disablement” has the meaning specified by the Administrator in the terms of an Award Agreement or, in the absence of any such term or in the case of an Option intending to qualify as an ISO, the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The determination of the Administrator as to an individual’s Total and Permanent Disablement shall be conclusive on all parties.

3. Eligibility

Any person who is a current or prospective officer or employee (including any director who is also an employee, in his or her capacity as such) of the Company or of any Subsidiary shall be eligible for selection by the Administrator for the grant of Awards hereunder. To the extent provided by Section 5(e), any Non-Employee Director shall be eligible for selection by the Administrator for the grant of Awards hereunder. In addition, to the extent provided by Section 5(d), any service provider who has been retained to provide consulting, advisory or other services to the Company or to any Subsidiary shall be eligible for selection by the Administrator for the grant of Awards hereunder. Options intending to qualify as ISOs may only be granted to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary within the meaning of the Code, as selected by the Administrator. For purposes of this Plan, the Chairman of the Board’s status as an employee shall be determined by the Administrator.

4. Effective Date and Termination of Plan

This Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company as of April 24, 2012 and became effective (the “Effective Date”) when it was approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 7, 2012. The Plan shall remain available for the grant of Awards until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan may be terminated at such earlier time as the Board of Directors may determine. Termination of the Plan will not affect the rights and obligations of the Participants and the Company arising under Awards theretofore granted and then in effect.

5. Shares Subject to the Plan and to Awards

(a) Aggregate Limits. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to all Awards shall not exceed 7,485,918 (5,600,000 new shares plus 1,885,198 shares available to be issued under the 2004 Plan at March 31, 2012, plus any shares subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plans as of June 7, 2012 that on or after such date cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested and nonforfeitable shares), up to an aggregate maximum of 11,198,113 shares. Any shares of Common Stock granted as Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against, or credited to, this limit as one (1) share for every one (1) share granted. Any shares of Common Stock granted as Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against, or credited to, this limit as two and one-half (2.5) shares for every one (1) share granted. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under this Plan and the number of shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding Awards shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12. The shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan may be shares that are authorized and unissued or shares that were reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased in the open market.

(b) Issuance of Shares. For purposes of Section 5(a), the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued under this Plan at any time shall equal only the number of shares actually issued upon exercise or settlement of an Award and shall not include shares subject to Awards that have been canceled, expired or forfeited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares subject to an Award under the Plan may not again be made available for issuance under Awards if such shares are: (i) shares that were subject to a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Option and that were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Option, or (ii) shares delivered to or retained by the Company to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes related to an Award.

(c) Tax Code Limits. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan during any calendar year to any one Participant shall not exceed 500,000, and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable under all Awards granted under this Plan other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during any calendar year to any one Participant shall not exceed 200,000, which numbers shall be calculated and adjusted pursuant to Section 12 only to the extent that such calculation or adjustment will not affect the status of any Award intended to qualify as “performance based compensation” under Code Section 162(m). The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs granted under this Plan shall not exceed 4,000,000, which number shall be calculated and adjusted pursuant to Section 12 only to the extent that such calculation or adjustment will not affect the status of any option intended to qualify as an ISO under Code Section 422. The maximum amount payable pursuant to that portion of an Incentive Bonus granted under this Plan for any calendar year to any Participant that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) shall not exceed four million dollars ($4,000,000).

(d) Awards to Non-Employee Service Providers. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued under this Plan pursuant to all Awards granted to non-employee service providers shall not exceed 100,000.

(e) Director Awards. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan during any calendar year to any one Non-Employee Director shall not exceed 50,000, and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable under all Awards granted under this Plan other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during any calendar year to any one Non-Employee Director shall not exceed 20,000; provided, however, that in the calendar year in which a Non-Employee Director first joins the Board of Directors, the maximum number of shares subject to Awards granted to the Participant may be up to two hundred percent (200%) of the number of shares set forth in the foregoing limits.

 

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6. Options

(a) Option Awards. Options may be granted at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the Plan, to Participants selected by the Administrator. No Participant shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of stock subject to Option hereunder until said shares have been issued. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Options granted pursuant to the Plan need not be identical but each Option must contain and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

(b) Price. The purchase price under each Option shall be established by the Administrator, provided that in no event will the purchase price be less than the market price of the Common Stock on the date of grant, except for Options that the Participant pays for or as to which the Participant foregoes other compensation equal in value to the amount of such discount. The purchase price of any Option may be paid in Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, including an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the shares issuable under an Option, the delivery of previously owned Common Stock and withholding of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise.

(c) No Repricing. Other than in connection with a change in the Company’s capitalization (as described in Section 12) the exercise price of an Option may not be reduced without stockholder approval. Such prohibited repricing includes canceling, substituting, or exchanging outstanding options in exchange for cash, other awards, or options with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options, unless approved by shareholders.

(d) Duration and Exercise or Termination of Option. The Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the ability to exercise any Option subject to continued employment, the passage of time and/or such performance requirements as deemed appropriate by the Administrator, provided that in no event shall any Option become exercisable sooner than one (1) year after the date of grant except in the event of the Participant’s death, Total and Permanent Disablement or, Retirement or, a change of control (as defined in the applicable Award Agreement). Unless the Administrator provides otherwise Options shall become exercisable 25 percent per year beginning one (1) year after the date of the grant. Unless provided otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement, the vesting period and/or exercisability of an Option shall be adjusted by the Administrator during or to reflect the effects of any period during which the Participant is on an approved leave of absence or is employed on a less than full-time basis. Each Option shall expire within a period of not more than seven (7) years from the date of grant.

(e) Termination of Employment: Unless an Option earlier expires upon the expiration date established pursuant to Section 6(d), upon the termination of the Participant’s employment, his or her rights to exercise an Option then held shall be only as follows, unless the Administrator specifies otherwise:

(1) Death. Upon the death of a Participant while in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or while serving as a member of the Board of Directors, all of the Participant’s Options then held shall be exercisable by his or her estate, heir or beneficiary at any time during the twelve (12) months next succeeding the date of death. Any and all of the deceased Participant’s Options that are not exercised during the twelve (12) months next succeeding the date of death shall be automatically canceled and forfeited as of the end of such twelve (12) month period.

If a Participant should die within thirty (30) days of his or her Termination of Employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries, an Option shall be exercisable by his or her estate, heir or beneficiary at any time during the twelve (12) months succeeding the date of such Termination of employment, but only to the extent of the number of shares as to which such Option was exercisable as of the date of such Termination of Employment. Any and all of the deceased Participant’s Options that are not exercised during the twelve (12) months succeeding the date of termination shall be automatically canceled and forfeited as of the end of such twelve (12) month period. A Participant’s estate shall mean his or her legal representative or other person who so acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of the Participant.

(2) Total and Permanent Disablement. Upon Termination of Employment as a result of the Total and Permanent Disablement of any Participant, all of the Participant’s Options then held shall be exercisable for a period of twelve (12) months after termination. Any and all Options that are not exercised during the twelve (12) months succeeding the date of termination shall be automatically canceled and forfeited as of the end of such twelve (12) month period.

(3) Retirement. Upon Retirement of a Participant, the Participant’s Options then held shall be exercisable for a period of twelve (12) months after Retirement. The number of shares with respect to which the Options shall be exercisable shall equal the total number of shares that were exercisable under the Participant’s Option on the date of his or her Retirement. Any and all Options that are unexercised during the twelve (12) months succeeding the date of termination shall be automatically canceled and forfeited as of the end of such twelve (12) month period.

(4) Other Reasons. Upon the date of a Termination of Employment for any reason other than those stated above in Sections 6(e)(1)-(3) or as described in Section 15, (A) any Option that is unexercisable as of such Termination of Employment shall remain unexercisable and shall be automatically canceled and forfeited as of such date, and (B) any Option that is exercisable as of such termination date shall expire the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days following such date or (ii) the expiration date of such Option.

(f) Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, in the case of the grant of an Option intending to qualify as an ISO: (i) if the Participant owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (a “10% Stockholder”), the purchase price of such Option must be at least 110 percent of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and the Option must expire within a period of not more than five (5) years from the date of grant and (ii) Termination of Employment will occur when the person to whom an Award was granted ceases to be an employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6 to the contrary, Options designated as ISOs shall not be eligible for treatment under the Code as ISOs to the extent that either (x) the aggregate fair market value of shares of Common Stock (determined as of the time of grant) with respect to which such Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted, and (y) such Options otherwise remain exercisable but are not exercised within three (3) months of Termination of Employment (or such other period of time provided in Section 422 of the Code).

(g) Other Terms and Conditions. Options may also contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of this Plan, as the Administrator shall deem appropriate.

7. Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Participants from time to time either in tandem with or as a component of other Awards granted under the Plan (“tandem SARs”) or not in conjunction with other Awards (“freestanding SARs”) and may, but need not, relate to a specific Option granted under Section 6. The provisions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each grant or each recipient. Any Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Option may be granted at the same time such Option is granted or at any time thereafter before exercise or expiration of such Option. All Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan shall be granted subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to Options as set forth in Section 6; provided, however, that Stock Appreciation Rights granted in tandem with a previously granted Option shall have the terms and conditions of such Option. Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the Administrator may impose such other conditions or restrictions on any Stock Appreciation Right as it shall deem appropriate. Stock Appreciation Rights may be settled in shares of Common Stock, cash or combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator. Other than in connection with a change in the Company’s capitalization (as described in Section 12) the exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Rights may not be reduced without stockholder approval. Such prohibited repricing includes canceling, substituting, or exchanging outstanding stock appreciation rights in exchange for cash, other awards, or stock appreciation rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original stock appreciation rights, unless approved by shareholders.

 

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8. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

(a) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the Plan to Participants selected by the Administrator. Restricted Stock is an award or issuance of shares of Common Stock the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject during specified periods of time to such conditions (including continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Restricted Stock Units are Awards denominated in units of Common Stock under which the issuance of shares of Common Stock is subject to such conditions (including continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, each Restricted Stock Unit will be equal to one share of Common Stock and will entitle a Participant to either shares of Common Stock or an amount of cash determined with reference to the value of shares of Common Stock. To the extent determined by the Administrator, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be satisfied or settled in Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Plan need not be identical but each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units must contain and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

(b) Contents of Agreement. Each Award Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of shares of Common Stock or Restricted Stock Units subject to such Award or a formula for determining such number, (ii) the purchase price of the shares, if any, and the means of payment, (iii) the performance criteria, if any, and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the number of shares or units granted, issued, retainable and/or vested, (iv) such terms and conditions on the grant, issuance, vesting and/or forfeiture of the shares or units as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (v) restrictions on the transferability of the shares or units and (vi) such further terms and conditions in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator. Shares of Common Stock issued under a Restricted Stock Award may be issued in the name of the Participant and held by the Participant or held by the Company, in each case as the Administrator may provide.

(c) Sales Price. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Administrator shall determine the price, if any, at which Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or shares of Common Stock issuable under Restricted Stock Unit Awards, shall be sold or awarded to a Participant, which may vary from time to time and among Participants and which may be below the market price of such shares at the date of grant.

(d) Vesting. The grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or settlement of shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall occur at such time and in such installments as determined by the Administrator or under criteria established by the Administrator. The Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the grant and/or the issuance, ability to retain, vesting and/or settlement of shares of Restricted Stock and under Restricted Stock Units subject to continued employment, passage of time and/or such performance criteria as deemed appropriate by the Administrator; provided that in no event shall the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or settlement of shares under Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards that is based on performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria be subject to a performance period of less than one year and no condition that is based upon continued employment or the passage of time shall provide for vesting or settlement in full of a Restricted Stock or Stock Unit Award over a period of less than three years from the date the Award is made, in each case except in the event of death, Total and Permanent Disablement or Retirement or a change of control (as defined in the applicable Award Agreement) as specified in the agreement evidencing such Award. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified at the time the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit is granted.

(e) Discretionary Adjustments and Limits. Subject to the limits imposed under Code Section 162(m) for Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance based compensation,” notwithstanding the satisfaction of any performance goals, the number of shares of Common Stock granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units on account of either financial performance or personal performance evaluations may be reduced by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator shall determine.

(f) Voting Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those shares during the period of restriction. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Common Stock underlying Restricted Stock Units unless and until such shares are reflected as issued and outstanding shares on the Company’s stock ledger.

(g) Dividends and Distributions. Participants in whose name Restricted Stock is granted shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to those shares, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator. Any such dividends or distributions will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were distributed. Shares underlying Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents only to the extent provided by the Administrator.

9. Deferred Stock Units

The Administrator may establish rules for the deferred delivery of Common Stock upon exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right and upon settlement, vesting or other events with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or in payment or satisfaction of an Incentive Bonus or of any other compensation arrangement maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary, in each case with the deferral evidenced by use of “Stock Units” equal in number to the number of shares of Common Stock whose delivery is so deferred or to the value of the amount being so deferred. A “Stock Unit” is a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equivalent to the fair market value of one share of Common Stock. Unless the Administrator specifies otherwise, Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company. Settlement of Stock Units upon expiration of the deferral period shall be made in Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator. The amount of Common Stock, or other settlement medium, to be so distributed may be increased by dividend equivalents. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, during the deferral period a Participant will not have any rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, voting rights and the right to receive dividends or distributions. Until a Stock Unit is so settled, the number of shares of Common Stock represented by a Stock Unit shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12. Any Stock Units that are settled after the holder’s death shall be distributed to the holder’s designated beneficiary(ies) or, if none was designated, the holder’s estate.

10. Incentive Bonuses

(a) General. Each Incentive Bonus Award will confer upon the Participant the opportunity to earn a future payment tied to the level of achievement with respect to one or more performance criteria established for a performance period of not less than one year.

(b) Incentive Bonus Document. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Incentive Bonus shall contain provisions regarding (i) the target and maximum amount payable to the Participant as an Incentive Bonus, (ii) the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the amount of such payment, (iii) the term of the performance period as to which performance shall be measured for determining the amount of any payment, (iv) the timing of any payment earned by virtue of performance, (v) restrictions on the alienation or transfer of the Incentive Bonus prior to actual payment, (vi) forfeiture provisions and (vii) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.

 

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(c) Performance Criteria. The Administrator shall establish the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the target and maximum amount payable under an Incentive Bonus, which criteria may be based on financial performance and/or personal performance evaluations. The Administrator may specify the percentage of the target Incentive Bonus that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any portion of an Incentive Bonus that is intended by the Administrator to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria (as defined in Section 13(b)) selected by the Administrator and specified at the time the Incentive Bonus is granted. The Administrator shall certify the extent to which any Qualifying Performance Criteria has been satisfied, and the amount payable as a result thereof, prior to payment of any Incentive Bonus that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).

(d) Timing and Form of Payment. The Administrator shall determine the timing of payment of any Incentive Bonus. Payment of the amount due under an Incentive Bonus may be made in cash or in shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify, may permit a Participant to elect for the payment of any Incentive Bonus to be deferred to a specified date or event.

(e) Discretionary Adjustments. Notwithstanding satisfaction of any performance goals, the amount paid under an Incentive Bonus on account of either financial performance or personal performance evaluations may be reduced by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator shall determine.

11. Conditions and Restrictions Upon Securities Subject to Awards

The Administrator may provide that the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or otherwise subject to or issued under an Award shall be subject to such further agreements, restrictions, conditions or limitations as the Administrator in its discretion may specify prior to the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or the grant, vesting or settlement of such Award, including without limitation, conditions on vesting or transferability, forfeiture or repurchase provisions and method of payment for the shares issued upon exercise, vesting or settlement of such Award (including the actual or constructive surrender of Common Stock already owned by the Participant) or payment of taxes arising in connection with an Award. Without limiting the foregoing, such restrictions may address the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any shares of Common Stock issued under an Award, including without limitation (i) restrictions under an insider trading policy or pursuant to applicable law, (ii) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and holders of other Company equity compensation arrangements, and (iii) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers.

12. Adjustment of and Changes in the Stock

In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be increased or decreased through a reorganization, reclassification, combination of shares, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, dividend (other than regular, quarterly cash dividends), or otherwise in an equity restructuring transaction, as that term is defined in ASC 718, then each share of Common Stock of the Company which has been authorized for issuance under the Plan, whether such share is then currently subject to or may become subject to an Award under the Plan, as well as the per share limits set forth in Section 5 of this Plan, shall be proportionately adjusted by the Administrator to reflect such increase or decrease, unless the Company provides otherwise under the terms of such transaction. The terms of any outstanding Award also shall be equitably adjusted by the Administrator as to price, number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award and other terms to reflect the foregoing events.

In the event there shall be any other change in the number or kind of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any stock or other securities into which such Common Stock shall have been changed, or for which it shall have been exchanged, whether by reason of a change of control, other merger, consolidation or otherwise in circumstances that do not involve an equity restructuring transaction, as that term is defined in ASC 718, then the Administrator shall, in its sole discretion, determine the appropriate adjustment, if any, to be effected. In addition, in the event of such change described in this paragraph, the Administrator may accelerate the time or times at which any Award may be exercised and may provide for cancellation of such accelerated Awards that are not exercised within a time prescribed by the Administrator in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any adjustment to Options granted pursuant to this Plan intended to qualify as ISOs shall comply with the requirements, provisions and restrictions of the Code unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.

No right to purchase fractional shares shall result from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to this Section 12. In case of any such adjustment, the shares subject to the Award shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Company to each Participant, which shall have been so adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

13. Qualifying Performance-Based Compensation

(a) General. The Administrator may establish performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria that shall determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be granted, retained, vested, issued or issuable under or in settlement of or the amount payable pursuant to an Award, which criteria may be based on Qualifying Performance Criteria or other standards of financial performance and/or personal performance evaluations. In addition, the Administrator may specify a percentage of an Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, provided that the performance criteria for any portion of an Award that is intended by the Administrator to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified at the time the Award is granted. The Administrator shall certify the extent to which any Qualifying Performance Criteria has been satisfied and the amount payable as a result thereof, prior to payment, settlement or vesting of any Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding satisfaction of any performance goals, the number of shares issued under or the amount paid under an award may, to the extent specified in the Award Agreement, be reduced by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion shall determine.

(b) Qualifying Performance Criteria. For purposes of this Plan, the term “Qualifying Performance Criteria” shall mean any one or more of the following performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Administrator: (i) cash flow (before or after dividends), (ii) earnings per share (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), (iii) stock price, (iv) return on equity, (v) total stockholder return, (vi) return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital), (vii) return on assets or net assets, (viii) market capitalization, (ix) economic value added, (x) debt leverage (debt to capital), (xi) revenue, (xii) income or net income, (xiii) operating income, (xiv) operating profit or net operating profit, (xv) operating margin or profit margin, (xvi) return on operating revenue, (xvii) cash from operations, (xviii) operating ratio, (xix) operating revenue, (xx) customer service, (xxi) contract value, or (xxii) client renewal rate. To the extent consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a performance period: (i) asset write-downs, (ii) litigation, claims, judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs and (v) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items as described in Accounting Standards Codification 225-20 and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s Forms 10-K or 10-Q for the applicable year (including any objectively determinable legal, integration, or deal-related costs in connection therewith). The Administrator may include (or exclude) specific items into (or from) the components of a performance criteria so long as such adjustments are specified in writing at the time of grant of the Award.

 

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14. Transferability

Unless the Administrator specifies otherwise, each Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only by the Participant during his or her lifetime.

15. Suspension or Termination of Awards

Except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at any time (including after a notice of exercise has been delivered or an award has vested) the Chief Executive Officer or any other person designated by the Administrator (each such person, an “Authorized Officer”) reasonably believes that a Participant may have committed an Act of Misconduct as described in this Section 15, the Authorized Officer, Administrator or Board of Directors may suspend the Participant’s rights to exercise any Option, to vest in an Award, and/or to receive payment for or receive shares of Common Stock in settlement of an Award pending a determination of whether an Act of Misconduct has been committed.

If the Administrator or an Authorized Officer determines a Participant has committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, nonpayment of any obligation owed to the Company or any Subsidiary, breach of fiduciary duty or deliberate disregard of the Company or Subsidiary rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to the Company or any Subsidiary, or if a Participant makes an unauthorized disclosure of any Company or Subsidiary trade secret or confidential information, engages in any conduct constituting unfair competition, breaches any non-competition agreement, induces any Company or Subsidiary customer to breach a contract with the Company or any Subsidiary, or induces any principal for whom the Company or any Subsidiary acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship (any of the foregoing acts, an “act of misconduct”), then except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, (i) neither the Participant nor his or her estate nor transferee shall be entitled to exercise any Option whatsoever, vest in or have the restrictions on an Award lapse, or otherwise receive payment of an Award, (ii) the Participant will forfeit all outstanding Awards and (iii) the Participant may be required, at the Administrator’s sole discretion, to return and/or repay to the Company any then unvested shares of Common Stock previously issued under the Plan. In making such determination, the Administrator or an Authorized Officer shall give the Participant an opportunity to appear and present evidence on his or her behalf at a hearing before the Administrator or an opportunity to submit written comments, documents, information and arguments to be considered by the Administrator. Any dispute by a Participant or other person as to the determination of the Administrator shall be resolved pursuant to Section 23 of the Plan.

16. Compliance with Laws and Regulations

This Plan, the grant, issuance, vesting, exercise and settlement of Awards thereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell, issue or deliver shares under such Awards, shall be subject to all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. The Company shall not be required to register in a Participant’s name or deliver any shares prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of such shares under any foreign, federal, state or local law or any ruling or regulation of any government body which the Administrator shall determine to be necessary or advisable. To the extent the Company is unable to or the Administrator deems it infeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be relieved of any liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. No Stock Option shall be exercisable and no shares shall be issued and/or transferable under any other Award unless a registration statement with respect to the shares underlying such Stock Option is effective and current or the Company has determined that such registration is unnecessary.

In the event an Award is granted to or held by a Participant who is employed or providing services outside the United States, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, modify the provisions of the Plan or of such Award as they pertain to such individual to comply with applicable foreign law or to recognize differences in local law, currency or tax policy. The Administrator may also impose conditions on the grant, issuance, exercise, vesting, settlement or retention of Awards in order to comply with such foreign law and/or to minimize the Company’s obligations with respect to tax equalization for Participants employed outside their home country.

17. Withholding

To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, a Participant shall be required to satisfy, in a manner satisfactory to the Company, any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of an Option exercise, disposition of shares issued under an ISO, the vesting of or settlement of deferred units under an Award, an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or otherwise with respect to an Award. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to issue shares of Common Stock, make any payment or to recognize the transfer or disposition of shares until such obligations are satisfied. The Administrator may permit these obligations to be satisfied by having the Company withhold a portion of the shares of Common Stock that otherwise would be issued to him or her upon exercise of the Option or the vesting or settlement of an Award, or by tendering shares previously acquired.

18. Administration of the Plan

(a) Administrator of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator who shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or, in the absence of a Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors itself. Any power of the Administrator may also be exercised by the Board of Directors, except to the extent that the grant or exercise of such authority would cause any Award or transaction to become subject to (or lose an exemption under) the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or cause an Award designated as a Performance Award not to qualify for treatment as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m). To the extent that any permitted action taken by the Board conflicts with action taken by the Administrator, the Board action shall control. The Compensation Committee may by resolution authorize one or more officers of the Company to perform any or all things that the Administrator is authorized and empowered to do or perform under the Plan, and for all purposes under this Plan, such officer or officers shall be treated as the Administrator; provided, however, that the resolution so authorizing such officer or officers shall specify the total number of Awards (if any) such officer or officers may award pursuant to such delegated authority, and any such Award shall be subject to the form of Option agreement theretofore approved by the Compensation Committee. No such officer shall designate himself or herself or any Non-Employee Director as a recipient of any Awards granted under authority delegated to such officer. In addition, the Compensation Committee may delegate any or all aspects of the day- to-day administration of the Plan to one or more officers or employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, and/or to one or more agents.

(b) Powers of Administrator. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator shall be authorized and empowered to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration of this Plan, including, without limitation: (i) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan and to define terms not otherwise defined herein; (ii) to determine which persons are Participants, to which of such Participants, if any, Awards shall be granted hereunder and the timing of any such Awards, and to grant Awards; (iii) to grant Awards to Participants and determine the terms and conditions thereof, including the number of shares subject to Awards and the exercise or purchase price of such shares and the circumstances under which Awards become exercisable or vested or are forfeited or expire, which terms may but need not be conditioned upon the passage of time, continued employment, the satisfaction of performance criteria, the occurrence of certain events (including events which the Board or the Administrator determine constitute a Change of Control), or other factors; (iv) to establish and verify the extent of satisfaction of any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance, exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award; (v) to prescribe and amend the terms of the agreements or other documents evidencing Awards made under this Plan (which need not be identical) and the terms of or form of any document or notice required to be delivered to the Company by Participants under this Plan; (vi) to establish the terms of adjustments pursuant to Section 12; (vii) to interpret and construe this Plan, any rules and regulations under this Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, and to make exceptions to any such provisions in good faith and for the benefit of the Company; and (viii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan.

 

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(c) Determinations by the Administrator. All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Administrator regarding the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan and the terms and conditions of or operation of any Award granted hereunder, shall be final and binding on all Participants, beneficiaries, heirs, assigns or other persons holding or claiming rights under the Plan or any Award. The Administrator shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to making such decisions, determinations and interpretations including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or other employee of the Company and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as it may select.

(d) Subsidiary Awards. In the case of a grant of an Award to any Participant employed by a Subsidiary, such grant may, if the Administrator so directs, be implemented by the Company issuing any subject shares to the Subsidiary, for such lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine, upon the condition or understanding that the Subsidiary will transfer the shares to the Participant in accordance with the terms of the Award specified by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, such Award may be issued by and in the name of the Subsidiary and shall be deemed granted on such date as the Administrator shall determine.

19. Amendment of the Plan or Awards

The Board may amend, alter or discontinue this Plan and the Administrator may amend, or alter any agreement or other document evidencing an Award made under this Plan but, except as provided pursuant to the provisions of Section 12, no such amendment shall, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company:

 

  a. increase the maximum number of shares for which Awards may be granted under this Plan;

 

  b. reduce the price at which Options may be granted below the price provided for in Section 6(a);

 

  c. reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options;

 

  d. extend the term of this Plan;

 

  e. change the class of persons eligible to be Participants;

 

  f. otherwise amend the Plan in any manner requiring stockholder approval by law or under the NYSE listing requirements; or

 

  g. increase the individual maximum limits in Sections 5(c) and 5(d).

No amendment or alteration to the Plan or an Award or Award Agreement shall be made which would impair the rights of the holder of an Award, without such holder’s consent, provided that no such consent shall be required if the Administrator determines in its sole discretion and prior to the date of any change of control (as defined in the applicable Award Agreement) that such amendment or alteration either is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any law or regulation or to meet the requirements of or avoid adverse financial accounting consequences under any accounting standard.

20. No Liability of Company

The Company and any Subsidiary or affiliate which is in existence or hereafter comes into existence shall not be liable to a Participant or any other person as to: (i) the non-issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder; and (ii) any tax consequence expected, but not realized, by any Participant or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Award granted hereunder.

21. Non Exclusivity of Plan

Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board of Directors nor the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board of Directors or the Administrator to adopt such other incentive arrangements as either may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of restricted stock or stock options otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

22. Governing Law

This Plan and any agreements or other documents hereunder shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the Delaware and applicable federal law. Any reference in this Plan or in the agreement or other document evidencing any Awards to a provision of law or to a rule or regulation shall be deemed to include any successor law, rule or regulation of similar effect or applicability.

 

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23. Arbitration of Disputes

In the event a Participant or other holder of an Award or person claiming a right under an Award or the Plan believes that a decision by the Administrator with respect to such person or Award was arbitrary or capricious, the person may request arbitration with respect to such decision. The review by the arbitrator shall be limited to determining whether the Participant or other Award holder has proven that the Administrator’s decision was arbitrary or capricious. This arbitration shall be the sole and exclusive review permitted of the Administrator’s decision. Participants, Award holders and persons claiming rights under an Award or the Plan explicitly waive any right to judicial review.

Notice of demand for arbitration shall be made in writing to the Administrator within thirty (30) days after the applicable decision by the Administrator. The arbitrator shall be selected by those members of the Board of Directors who are neither members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors nor employees of the Company or any Subsidiary. If there are no such members of the Board of Directors, the arbitrator shall be selected by the Board of Directors. The arbitrator shall be an individual who is an attorney licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Virginia or State of Delaware. Such arbitrator shall be neutral within the meaning of the Commercial Rules of Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association; provided, however, that the arbitration shall not be administered by the American Arbitration Association. Any challenge to the neutrality of the arbitrator shall be resolved by the arbitrator whose decision shall be final and conclusive. The arbitration shall be administered and conducted by the arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Rules of Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association. Each side shall bear its own fees and expenses, including its own attorney’s fees, and each side shall bear one half of the arbitrator’s fees and expenses. The decision of the arbitrator on the issue(s) presented for arbitration shall be final and conclusive and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

24. No Right to Employment, Reelection or Continued Service

Nothing in this Plan or an Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its Subsidiaries and/or its affiliates to terminate any Participant’s employment, service on the Board or service for the Company at any time or for any reason not prohibited by law, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue his or her employment or service for any specified period of time. Neither an Award nor any benefits arising under this Plan shall constitute an employment contract with the Company, any Subsidiary and/or its affiliates, accordingly, subject to Sections 4 and 19, this Plan and the benefits hereunder may be terminated at any time in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Board of Directors without giving rise to any liability on the part of the Company, its Subsidiaries and/or its affiliates.

 

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