2010OMNIBUS SECURITIES AND INCENTIVE PLAN
EX-10.6 23 v189776_ex10-6.htm
EXHIBIT 10.6
2010 OMNIBUS SECURITIES AND INCENTIVE PLAN
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CHINA SHANDONG INDUSTRIES, INC.
2010 OMNIBUS SECURITIES AND INCENTIVE PLAN
Table of Contents
Page | |||
ARTICLE I | PURPOSE | 4 | |
ARTICLE II | DEFINITIONS | 4 | |
ARTICLE III | EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN | 7 | |
ARTICLE IV | ADMINISTRATION | 7 | |
Section 4.1 | Composition of Committee | 7 | |
Section 4.2 | Powers | 7 | |
Section 4.3 | Additional Powers | 7 | |
Section 4.4 | Committee Action | 7 | |
ARTICLE V | STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN AND LIMITATIONS THEREON | 8 | |
Section 5.1 | Stock Grant and Award Limits | 8 | |
Section 5.2 | Stock Offered | 8 | |
ARTICLE VI | ELIGIBILITY FOR AWARDS; TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, DIRECTOR STATUS OR CONSULTANT STATUS | 8 | |
Section 6.1 | Eligibility | 8 | |
Section 6.2 | Termination of Employment or Director Status | 8 | |
Section 6.3 | Termination of Consultant Status | 8 | |
Section 6.4 | Special Termination Rule | 9 | |
Section 6.5 | Termination for Cause | 9 | |
ARTICLE VII | OPTIONS | 9 | |
Section 7.1 | Option Period | 9 | |
Section 7.2 | Limitations on Exercise of Option | 9 | |
Section 7.3 | Option Agreement | 10 | |
Section 7.4 | Option Price and Payment | 10 | |
Section 7.5 | Stockholder Rights and Privileges | 10 | |
Section 7.6 | Options and Rights in Substitution for Stock Options Granted by Other Corporations | 10 | |
Section 7.7 | Prohibition against Repricing | 10 | |
ARTICLE VIII | RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS | 10 | |
Section 8.1 | Restriction Period to be established by Committee | 10 | |
Section 8.2 | Other Terms and Conditions | 11 | |
Section 8.3 | Payment for Restricted Stock | 11 | |
Section 8.4 | Restricted Stock Award Agreements | 11 | |
ARTICLE IX | RECAPITALIZATION OR REORGANIZATION | 11 | |
Section 9.1 | Adjustments to Common Stock | 11 | |
Section 9.2 | Recapitalization | 12 | |
Section 9.3 | Other Events | 12 | |
Section 9.4 | Powers Not Affected | 12 | |
Section 9.5 | No Adjustment for Certain Awards | 12 | |
ARTICLE X | AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN | 12 | |
ARTICLE XI | MISCELLANEOUS | 13 | |
Section 11.1 | No Right to Award | 13 |
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Section 11.2 | No Rights Conferred | 13 | |
Section 11.3 | Other Laws; No Fractional Shares; Withholding | 13 | |
Section 11.4 | No Restriction on Corporate Action | 13 | |
Section 11.5 | Restrictions on Transfer | 13 | |
Section 11.6 | Beneficiary Designations | 13 | |
Section 11.7 | Rule 16b-3 | 14 | |
Section 11.8 | Section 409A | 14 | |
Section 11.9 | Indemnification | 14 | |
Section 11.10 | Other Plans | 14 | |
Section 11.11 | Limits of Liability | 14 | |
Section 11.12 | Governing Law | 14 | |
Section 11.13 | Severability of Provisions | 14 | |
Section 11.14 | No Funding | 14 | |
Section 11.15 | Headings | 14 |
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CHINA SHANDONG INDUSTRIES, INC.
2010 OMNIBUS SECURITIES AND INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The purpose of this China Shandong Industries, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to benefit the stockholders of China Shandong Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), by assisting the Company to attract, retain and provide incentives to key management employees and nonemployee directors of, and non-employee consultants to, the Company and its Affiliates, and to align the interests of such employees, nonemployee directors and nonemployee consultants with those of the Company’s stockholders. Accordingly, the Plan provides for the grant of Options and Restricted Stock Awards as may be best suited to the circumstances of the particular Employee, Director or Consultant as provided herein.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan unless the context otherwise requires:
“Affiliate” shall mean any corporation which, with respect to the Company, is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
“Award” shall mean, individually or collectively, any Option or Restricted Stock Award.
“Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and the Holder with respect to an Award, each of which shall constitute a part of the Plan.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cause” shall mean (i) if the Holder is a party to an employment or similar agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Cause” (or a similar term) therein, “Cause” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Cause” shall mean termination by the Company or an Affiliate of the employment (or other service relationship) of the Holder by reason of the Holder’s (A) intentional failure to perform reasonably assigned duties, (B) dishonesty or willful misconduct in the performance of the Holder’s duties, (C) involvement in a transaction which is materially adverse to the Company or an Affiliate, (D) breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, (E) willful violation of any law, rule, regulation or court order (other than misdemeanor traffic violations and misdemeanors not involving misuse or misappropriation of money or property), (F) commission of an act of fraud or intentional misappropriation or conversion of any asset or opportunity of the Company or an Affiliate, or (G) material breach of any provision of the Plan or the Holder’s Award Agreement or any other written agreement between the Holder and the Company or an Affiliate, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board, the determination of which shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.
“Change of Control” shall mean (i) for a Holder who is a party to an employment or consulting agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Change of Control” (or a similar term) therein, “Change of Control” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the satisfaction of any one or more of the following conditions (and the “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have been satisfied):
(a) Any person (as such term is used in paragraphs 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, hereinafter in this definition, “Person”), other than the Company or an Affiliate or an employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;
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(b) The closing of a merger, consolidation or other business combination (a “Business Combination”) other than a Business Combination in which holders of the Common Stock immediately prior to the Business Combination have substantially the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the Business Combination as immediately before;
(c) The closing of an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to any entity that is not an Affiliate;
(d) The approval by the holders of shares of Common Stock of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company other than a liquidation of the Company into any subsidiary or a liquidation a result of which persons who were stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such liquidation have substantially the same proportionate ownership of shares of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after such liquidation as immediately before; or
(e) Within any twenty-four (24) month period, the Incumbent Directors shall cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board or the board of directors of any successor to the Company; provided, however, that any director elected to the Board, or nominated for election, by a majority of the Incumbent Directors then still in office, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director for purposes of this paragraph (e), but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, entity or “group” other than the Board (including, but not limited to, any such assumption that results from paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this definition).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to occur if the Company files for bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization under the United States Bankruptcy Code.
“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any amendments or successor provisions to any section and any regulation under such section.
“Committee” shall mean a committee comprised of not less than two (2) members of the Board who are selected by the Board as provided in Section 4.1.
“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.
“Company” shall mean China Shandong Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.
“Consultant” shall mean any non-Employee (individual or entity) advisor to the Company or an Affiliate who or which has contracted directly with the Company or an Affiliate to render bona fide consulting or advisory services thereto.
“Director” shall mean a member of the Board or a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate, in either case, who is not an Employee.
“Effective Date” shall mean July 1, 2010.
“Employee” shall mean any employee, including officers, of the Company or an Affiliate.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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“Fair Market Value” shall mean, as determined consistent with the applicable requirements of Sections 409A and 422 of the Code, as of any specified date, the closing sales price of the Common Stock for such date (or, in the event that the Common Stock is not traded on such date, on the immediately preceding trading date) on the Nasdaq Stock Market or a domestic or foreign national securities exchange (including London’s Alternative Investment Market) on which the Common Stock may be listed, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or The Financial Times. If the Common Stock is not listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market or on a national securities exchange, but is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or by the National Quotation Bureau, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the mean of the bid and asked prices per share of the Common Stock for such date. If the Common Stock is not quoted or listed as set forth above, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board in good faith by any fair and reasonable means (which means, with respect to a particular Award grant, may be set forth with greater specificity in the applicable Award Agreement). The Fair Market Value of property other than Common Stock shall be determined by the Board in good faith by any fair and reasonable means, and consistent with the applicable requirements of Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.
“Family Member” shall mean any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Holder’s household (other than a tenant or employee of the Holder), a trust in which such persons have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which such persons (or the Holder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which such persons (or the Holder) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.
“Holder” shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award or any such individual’s beneficiary, estate or representative, to the extent applicable.
“Incumbent Director” shall mean, with respect to any period of time specified under the Plan for purposes of determining whether or not a Change of Control has occurred, the individuals who were members of the Board at the beginning of such period.
“Option” shall mean an Award granted under Article VII of the Plan of an option to purchase shares of Common Stock. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
“Option Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to an Option. A form of such agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Plan” shall mean this China Shandong Industries, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, together with each of the Award Agreements utilized hereunder.
“Restricted Stock Award” shall mean an Award granted under Article VIII of the Plan of shares of Common Stock, the transferability of which by the Holder shall be subject to Restrictions.
“Restricted Stock Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award. A form of such agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
“Restriction Period” shall mean the period of time for which shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to Restrictions, as set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
“Restrictions” shall mean forfeiture, transfer and/or other restrictions applicable to shares of Common Stock awarded to an Employee, Director or Consultant under the Plan pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award and set forth in a Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
“Rule 16b-3”shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, as such may be amended from time to time, and any successor rule, regulation or statute fulfilling the same or a substantially similar function.
“Total and Permanent Disability” shall mean the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, all as described in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
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ARTICLE III
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date.
ARTICLE IV
ADMINISTRATION
Section 4.1 Composition of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board. The Committee shall consist of no less than two (2) or more Directors who are each (i) “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (“Outside Directors”), (ii) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and (iii) “independent” for purposes of any applicable listing requirements (“Non-Employee Directors”); provided, however, that the Board or the Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not (x) Outside Directors, the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are not (A) then “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and are not expected to be “covered employees” at the time of recognition of income resulting from such Award, or (B) persons with respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, and/or (y) Non-Employee Directors, the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are not then subject to the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. If a member of the Committee shall be eligible to receive an Award under the Plan, such Committee member shall have no authority hereunder with respect to his or her own Award.
Section 4.2 Powers. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole authority, in its discretion, to make all determinations under the Plan, including but not limited to determining which Employees, Directors or Consultants shall receive an Award, the time or times when an Award shall be made (the date of grant of an Award shall be the date on which the Award is awarded by the Committee), what type of Award shall be granted, the term of an Award, the date or dates on which an Award vests (including acceleration of vesting), the form of any payment to be made pursuant to an Award, the terms and conditions of an Award (including the forfeiture of the Award (and/or any financial gain) if the Holder of the Award violates any applicable restrictive covenant thereof), the Restrictions under a Restricted Stock Award and the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under an Award, all as applicable. In making such determinations the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective Employees, Directors and Consultants, their present and potential contribution to the Company’s (or the Affiliate’s) success and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion shall deem relevant.
Section 4.3 Additional Powers. The Committee shall have such additional powers as are delegated to it under the other provisions of the Plan. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to construe the Plan and the respective Award Agreements executed hereunder, to prescribe such rules and regulations relating to the Plan as it may deem advisable to carry out the intent of the Plan, and to determine the terms, restrictions and provisions of each Award, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry it into effect. The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this Article IV shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and all Holders.
Section 4.4 Committee Action. In the absence of specific rules to the contrary, action by the Committee shall require the consent of a majority of the members of the Committee, expressed either orally at a meeting of the Committee or in writing in the absence of a meeting. No member of the Committee shall have any liability for any good faith action, inaction or determination in connection with the Plan.
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ARTICLE V
STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN AND LIMITATIONS THEREON
Section 5.1 Stock Grant and Award Limits. The Committee may from time to time grant Awards to one or more Employees, Directors and/or Consultants determined by it to be eligible for participation in the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Article VI. Subject to Article IX, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock which are issued and outstanding. Shares shall be deemed to have been issued under the Plan solely to the extent actually issued and delivered pursuant to an Award. To the extent that an Award lapses, expires, is canceled, is terminated unexercised or ceases to be exercisable for any reason, or the rights of its Holder terminate, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award shall again be available for the grant of a new Award.
Section 5.2 Stock Offered. The stock to be offered pursuant to the grant of an Award may be authorized but unissued Common Stock, Common Stock purchased on the open market or Common Stock previously issued and outstanding and reacquired by the Company.
ARTICLE VI
ELIGIBILITY FOR AWARDS; TERMINATION OF
EMPLOYMENT, DIRECTOR STATUS OR CONSULTANT STATUS
Section 6.1 Eligibility. Awards made under the Plan may be granted solely to persons or entities who, at the time of grant, are Employees, Directors or Consultants. An Award may be granted on more than one occasion to the same Employee, Director or Consultant, and, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan, such Award may include an Option and a Restricted Stock Award.
Section 6.2 Termination of Employment or Director Status. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and/or the provisions of Section 6.4, the following terms and conditions shall apply with respect to the termination of a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director of, the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, for any reason, including, without limitation, Total and Permanent Disability or death:
(a) The Holder’s rights, if any, to exercise any then exercisable Options shall terminate:
(1) If such termination is for a reason other than the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability or death, ninety (90) days after the date of such termination of employment or after the date of such termination of Director status;
(2) If such termination is on account of the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability, one (1) year after the date of such termination of employment or Director status; or
(3) If such termination is on account of the Holder’s death, one (1) year after the date of the Holder’s death.
Upon such applicable date the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in or with respect to any such Options.
(b) If a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director of, the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, terminates for any reason prior to the actual or deemed satisfaction and/or lapse of the Restrictions, vesting requirements, terms and conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award and/or Restricted Stock Unit Award, such Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units shall immediately be canceled, and the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in and with respect to any such Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units. The immediately preceding sentence to the contrary notwithstanding, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine, prior to or within thirty (30) days after the date of such termination of employment or Director status, that all or a portion of any such Holder’s Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units shall not be so canceled and forfeited.
Section 6.3 Termination of Consultant Status. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and/or the provisions of Section 6.4, the following terms and conditions shall apply with respect to the termination of a Holder’s status as a Consultant, for any reason:
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(a) The Holder’s rights, if any, to exercise any then exercisable Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate:
(1) If such termination is for a reason other than the Holder’s death, ninety (90) days after the date of such termination; or
(2) If such termination is on account of the Holder’s death, one (1) year after the date of the Holder’s death.
(b) If the status of a Holder as a Consultant terminates for any reason prior to the actual or deemed satisfaction and/or lapse of the Restrictions, vesting requirements, terms and conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award, such Restricted Stock shall immediately be canceled, and the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in and with respect to any such Restricted Stock. The immediately preceding sentence to the contrary notwithstanding, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine, prior to or within thirty (30) days after the date of such termination of such a Holder’s status as a Consultant, that all or a portion of any such Holder’s Restricted Stock shall not be so canceled and forfeited.
Section 6.4 Special Termination Rule. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article VI, if a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director of, the Company or an Affiliate shall terminate, and if, within ninety (90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become a Consultant, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been a Consultant for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding. Should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her employment or Director status had terminated until such time as his or her Consultant status shall terminate, in which case his or her Award, as it may have been reduced in connection with the Holder’s becoming a Consultant, shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3. Should a Holder’s status as a Consultant terminate, and if, within ninety (90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become an Employee or a Director, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been an Employee or a Director, as applicable, for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding, and, should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her Consultant status had terminated until such time as his or her employment with the Company or an Affiliate, or his or her Director status, as applicable, shall terminate, in which case his or her Award shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2.
Section 6.5 Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding anything in this Article VI or elsewhere in the Plan to the contrary, and unless a Holder’s Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise, should a Holder’s employment, Director status or engagement as a Consultant with or for the Company or an Affiliate be terminated by the Company or Affiliate for Cause, all of such Holder’s then outstanding Awards shall expire immediately and be forfeited in their entirety upon such termination.
ARTICLE VII
OPTIONS
Section 7.1 Option Period. The term of each Option shall be as specified in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant.
Section 7.2 Limitations on Exercise of Option. An Option shall be exercisable in whole or in such installments and at such times as specified in the Option Agreement.
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Section 7.3 Option Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement in such form and containing such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee from time to time shall approve. An Option Agreement may provide for the payment of the Option price, in whole or in part, by the delivery of a number of shares of Common Stock (plus cash if necessary) that have been owned by the Holder for at least six (6) months and having a Fair Market Value equal to such Option price, or such other forms or methods as the Committee may determine from time to time, in each case, subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Committee. Each Option Agreement shall, solely to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5, as applicable, specify the effect of termination of employment, Director status or Consultant status on the exercisability of the Option. Moreover, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Option Agreement may provide for a “cashless exercise” of the Option by establishing procedures whereby the Holder, by a properly-executed written notice, directs (i) an immediate market sale or margin loan respecting all or a part of the shares of Common Stock to which he is entitled upon exercise pursuant to an extension of credit by the Company to the Holder of the Option price, (ii) the delivery of the shares of Common Stock from the Company directly to a brokerage firm and (iii) the delivery of the Option price from sale or margin loan proceeds from the brokerage firm directly to the Company. Each Option Agreement shall, solely to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5, as applicable, specify the effect of the termination of the Holder’s employment, Director status or Consultant status on the exercisability of the Option. An Option Agreement may also include provisions relating to (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Options, including but not limited to upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements and requiring additional “gross-up” payments to Holders to meet any excise taxes or other additional income tax liability imposed as a result of a payment made upon a Change of Control resulting from the operation of the Plan or of such Option Agreement) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Option Agreements need not be identical.
Section 7.4 Option Price and Payment. The price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased upon exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that such Option price (i) shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date such Option is granted, and (ii) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article IX. The Option or portion thereof may be exercised by delivery of an irrevocable notice of exercise to the Company. The Option price for the Option or portion thereof shall be paid in full in the manner prescribed by the Committee as set forth in the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement.
Section 7.5 Stockholder Rights and Privileges. The Holder of an Option shall be entitled to all the privileges and rights of a stockholder of the Company solely with respect to such shares of Common Stock as have been purchased under the Option and for which certificates of stock have been registered in the Holder’s name.
Section 7.6 Options and Rights in Substitution for Stock Options Granted by Other Corporations. Options may be granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for stock options held by individuals employed by entities who become Employees as a result of a merger or consolidation of the employing entity with the Company or any Affiliate, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of the assets of the employing entity, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of stock of the employing entity with the result that such employing entity becomes an Affiliate.
Section 7.7 Prohibition Against Repricing. Except to the extent (i) approved in advance by holders of a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) as a result of any Change of Control or any adjustment as provided in Article IX, the Committee shall not have the power or authority to reduce, whether through amendment or otherwise, the exercise price of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation right, or to grant any new Award or make any payment of cash in substitution for or upon the cancellation of Options previously granted.
ARTICLE VIII
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
Section 8.1 Restriction Period to be Established by Committee. At the time a Restricted Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Restriction Period applicable to such Award. Each Restricted Stock Award may have a different Restriction Period, in the discretion of the Committee. The Restriction Period applicable to a particular Restricted Stock Award shall not be changed except as permitted by Section 8.2.
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Section 8.2 Other Terms and Conditions. Common Stock awarded pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award shall be represented by a stock certificate registered in the name of the Holder of such Restricted Stock Award. If provided for under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, the Holder shall have the right to vote Common Stock subject thereto and to enjoy all other stockholder rights, including the entitlement to receive dividends on the Common Stock during the Restriction Period, except that (i) the Holder shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate until the Restriction Period shall have expired, (ii) the Company shall retain custody of the stock certificate during the Restriction Period (with a stock power endorsed by the Holder in blank), (iii) the Holder may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of the Common Stock during the Restriction Period and (iv) a breach of the terms and conditions established by the Committee pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall cause a forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Award. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Restricted Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of termination of employment, Director status or Consultant status prior to expiration of the Restriction Period. Such additional terms, conditions or restrictions shall, to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4, as applicable, be set forth in a Restricted Stock Award Agreement made in conjunction with the Award. Such Restricted Stock Award Agreement may also include provisions relating to (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Awards, including but not limited to accelerated vesting upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements and requiring additional “gross-up” payments to Holders to meet any excise taxes or other additional income tax liability imposed as a result of a payment made in connection with a Change of Control resulting from the operation of the Plan or of such Restricted Stock Award Agreement) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical. All shares of Common Stock delivered to a Holder as part of a Restricted Stock Award shall be delivered and reported by the Company or the Affiliate, as applicable, to the Holder by no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Holder’s entitlement to such shares becomes vested.
Section 8.3 Payment for Restricted Stock. The Committee shall determine the amount and form of any payment from a Holder for Common Stock received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, if any, provided that in the absence of such a determination, a Holder shall not be required to make any payment for Common Stock received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, except to the extent otherwise required by law.
Section 8.4 Restricted Stock Award Agreements. At the time any Award is made under this Article VIII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Restricted Stock Award Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated hereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate.
ARTICLE IX
RECAPITALIZATION OR REORGANIZATION
Section 9.1 Adjustments to Common Stock. The shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan are shares of Common Stock as presently constituted; provided, however, that if, and whenever, prior to the expiration or distribution to the Holder of shares of Common Stock underlying an Award theretofore granted, the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of shares of Common Stock or the payment of a stock dividend on Common Stock without receipt of consideration by the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which such Award may thereafter be exercised or satisfied, as applicable, (i) in the event of an increase in the number of outstanding shares, shall be proportionately increased, and the purchase price per share of the Common Stock shall be proportionately reduced, and (ii) in the event of a reduction in the number of outstanding shares, shall be proportionately reduced, and the purchase price per share of the Common Stock shall be proportionately increased.
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Section 9.2 Recapitalization. If the Company recapitalizes or otherwise changes its capital structure, thereafter upon any exercise or satisfaction, as applicable, of a previously granted Award, the Holder shall be entitled to receive (or entitled to purchase, if applicable) under such Award, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock then covered by such Award, the number and class of shares of stock and securities to which the Holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the recapitalization if, immediately prior to such recapitalization, the Holder had been the holder of record of the number of shares of Common Stock then covered by such Award.
Section 9.3 Other Events. In the event of changes to the outstanding Common Stock by reason of extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, mergers, consolidations, combinations, split-ups, spin-offs, exchanges or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date of the grant of any Award and not otherwise provided for under this Article IX, any outstanding Awards and any Award Agreements evidencing such Awards shall be adjusted by the Board in its discretion as to the number and price of shares of Common Stock or other consideration subject to such Awards. In the event of any adjustment pursuant to Sections 9.2 or this Section 9.3, the aggregate number of shares available under the Plan may be appropriately adjusted by the Board, the determination of which shall be conclusive. In addition, the Committee may make provision for a cash payment to a Participant or a person who has an outstanding Award. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Award shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
Section 9.4 Powers Not Affected. The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or of the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change of the Company’s capital structure or business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Common Stock or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.
Section 9.5 No Adjustment for Certain Awards. Except as hereinabove expressly provided, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash, property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect previously granted Awards, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per share, if applicable.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
The Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated pursuant to this Article X, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board (except as to Awards outstanding on that date). The Board in its discretion may terminate the Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which Awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however, that the Plan’s termination shall not materially and adversely impair the rights of a Holder with respect to any Award theretofore granted without the consent of the Holder. The Board shall have the right to alter or amend the Plan or any part hereof from time to time; provided, however, that without the approval by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum representing a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is present in person or by proxy or, in the alternative, the written consent of holders of no less than a majority of the shares of the Company issued and outstanding, subject to compliance with information statement requirements set forth in Section 14(c) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, no amendment or modification of the Plan may (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to Holders, (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided in Article IX, materially increase the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan or the individual Award Agreements specified in Article V, (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, or (iv) amend, modify or suspend Section 7.7 (repricing prohibitions) or this Article X. In addition, no change in any Award theretofore granted may be made which would materially and adversely impair the rights of a Holder with respect to such Award without the consent of the Holder (unless such change is required in order to exempt the Plan or any Award from Section 409A of the Code).
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ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1 No Right to Award. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Company nor any action of the Board or the Committee shall be deemed to give an Employee, Director or Consultant any right to an Award except as may be evidenced by an Award Agreement duly executed on behalf of the Company, and then solely to the extent and on the terms and conditions expressly set forth therein.
Section 11.2 No Rights Conferred. Nothing contained in the Plan shall (i) confer upon any Employee any right with respect to continuation of employment with the Company or any Affiliate, (ii) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of an Employee at any time, (iii) confer upon any Director any right with respect to continuation of such Director’s membership on the Board, (iv) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Director’s membership on the Board at any time, (v) confer upon any Consultant any right with respect to continuation of his or her consulting engagement with the Company or any Affiliate, or (vi) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Consultant’s consulting engagement with the Company or an Affiliate at any time.
Section 11.3 Other Laws; No Fractional Shares; Withholding. The Company shall not be obligated by virtue of any provision of the Plan to recognize the exercise of any Award or to otherwise sell or issue shares of Common Stock in violation of any laws, rules or regulations, and any postponement of the exercise or settlement of any Award under this provision shall not extend the term of such Award. Neither the Company nor its directors or officers shall have any obligation or liability to a Holder with respect to any Award (or shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder) (i) that shall lapse because of such postponement, or (ii) for any failure to comply with the requirements of any applicable law, rules or regulations, including but not limited to any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of this Code. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, nor shall any cash in lieu of fractional shares be paid. The Company shall have the right to deduct in cash (whether under this Plan or otherwise) in connection with all Awards any taxes required by law to be withheld and to require any payments required to enable it to satisfy its withholding obligations. In the case of any Award satisfied in the form of shares of Common Stock, no shares shall be issued unless and until arrangements satisfactory to the Company shall have been made to satisfy any tax withholding obligations applicable with respect to such Award. Subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may impose, the Company shall have the right to retain, or the Committee may, subject to such terms and conditions as it may establish from time to time, permit Holders to elect to tender, Common Stock (including Common Stock issuable in respect of an Award) to satisfy, in whole or in part, the amount required to be withheld.
Section 11.4 No Restriction on Corporate Action. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any Affiliate from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No Employee, Director, Consultant, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or any Affiliate as a result of any such action.
Section 11.5 Restrictions on Transfer. No Award under the Plan or any Award Agreement and no rights or interests herein or therein, shall or may be assigned, transferred, sold, exchanged, encumbered, pledged or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of by a Holder except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) by gift to any Family Member of the Holder. An Award may be exercisable during the lifetime of the Holder only by such Holder or by the Holder’s guardian or legal representative unless it has been transferred by gift to a Family Member of the Holder, in which case it shall be exercisable solely by such transferee. Notwithstanding any such transfer, the Holder shall continue to be subject to the withholding requirements provided for under Section 11.3 hereof.
Section 11.6 Beneficiary Designations. Each Holder may, from time to time, name a beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be contingent or successive beneficiaries) for purposes of receiving any amount which is payable in connection with an Award under the Plan upon or subsequent to the Holder’s death. Each such beneficiary designation shall serve to revoke all prior beneficiary designations, be in a form prescribed by the Company and be effective solely when filed by the Holder in writing with the Company during the Holder’s lifetime. In the absence of any such written beneficiary designation, for purposes of the Plan, a Holder’s beneficiary shall be the Holder’s estate.
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Section 11.7 Rule 16b-3. It is intended that the Plan and any Award made to a person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall meet all of the requirements of Rule 16b-3. If any provision of the Plan or of any such Award would disqualify the Plan or such Award under, or would otherwise not comply with the requirements of, Rule 16b-3, such provision or Award shall be construed or deemed to have been amended as necessary to conform to the requirements of Rule 16b-3.
Section 11.8 Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Committee shall have no authority to issue an Award under the Plan with terms and/or conditions which would cause such Award to constitute non-qualified “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code. Accordingly, by way of example but not limitation, no Option shall be granted under the Plan with a per share Option exercise price which is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Award Agreement shall provide for any deferral feature with respect to an Award which constitutes a deferral of compensation under Section 409A of the Code. The Plan and all Award Agreements are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (so as to be exempt therefrom) and shall be so interpreted and construed.
Section 11.9 Indemnification. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred thereby in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which such person may be made a party or may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid thereby in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid thereby in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against such person; provided, however, that such person shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive and shall be independent of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise.
Section 11.10 Other Plans. No Award, payment or amount received hereunder shall be taken into account in computing an Employee’s salary or compensation for the purposes of determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, life insurance or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate, unless such other plan specifically provides for the inclusion of such Award, payment or amount received. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company to establish other plans or to pay compensation to its employees, in cash or property, in a manner which is not expressly authorized under the Plan.
Section 11.11 Limits of Liability. Any liability of the Company with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon the contractual obligations created under the Plan and the Award Agreement. None of the Company, any member of the Board nor any member of the Committee shall have any liability to any party for any action taken or not taken, in good faith, in connection with or under the Plan.
Section 11.12 Governing Law. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Plan shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
Section 11.13 Severability of Provisions. If any provision of the Plan is held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan.
Section 11.14 No Funding. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of funds or assets to ensure the payment of any Award.
Section 11.15 Headings. Headings used throughout the Plan are for convenience only and shall not be given legal significance.
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