2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
Exhibit 10.1
DELCATH SYSTEMS, INC.
2020 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(As adopted by Board of Directors on September 30, 2020 and approved by stockholders on November 23, 2020)
(As amended by the Board of Directors on March 30, 2021 and approved by stockholders on May 6, 2021)
(As subsequently amended by the Board of Directors on April 17, 2023, and approved by stockholders on June 12, 2023)
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Delcath Systems, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to align the interests of selected Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants with those of Delcath Systems, Inc.’s (the “Company”) stockholders by providing such individuals with long-term incentive compensation opportunities tied to the performance of the Company’s Common Stock. The Plan is intended to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by attracting, retaining and motivating key personnel upon whose judgment, initiative and effort the successful conduct of the Company’s business is largely dependent.
The Plan was originally adopted by the Board of Directors on September 30, 2020 and approved by the stockholders of the Company on November 23, 2020. The Plan was subsequently amended by the Board of Directors on March 30, 2021 and approved by stockholders of the Company on May 6, 2021. On April 17, 2023, the Board approved an amendment of the Plan in the form set forth herein (the “Amended Plan”), subject to, and to be effective upon, the approval of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware at the Company’s 2023 annual stockholders’ meeting held on June 12, 2023.
2. Definitions. Certain terms used in the Plan have the meanings set forth below (capitalized terms used in the Plan that are not defined below have the meanings set forth elsewhere in the Plan):
“Affiliate” means any Subsidiary and any other corporation or other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, the Company. For this purpose, “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Applicable Law” means any applicable securities, federal, state, foreign, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, listing rule, regulation, judicial decision, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any governmental or regulatory body or self-regulatory organization (including the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
“Award” means an award under the Plan, including any Incentive Stock Option, a Non-Qualified Option, Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Performance Award, an Other Stock-Based Award or a Cash Award.
“Award Agreement” means the written agreement entered into between the Participant and the Company setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to an Award, as provided under Section 5(c). An Award Agreement may, in the discretion of the Committee, be transmitted electronically to any Participant.
“Base Price” means the price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Appreciation Right at which the Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised or settled.
“Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors, as constituted from time to time.
“Cash Award” means an award denominated in cash that is granted pursuant to Section 11.
“Cause”, with respect to any Employee or Consultant, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, shall have the meaning given to such term in any employment or other written agreement between such Participant and the Company or Affiliate, as applicable, or, in the event that such term is not defined in such agreement or in the absence of any such agreement, shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) The Participant’s willful failure to perform his or her duties and responsibilities to the Company or an Affiliate, or refusal to perform any lawful and reasonable directive of the Company or an Affiliate;
(ii) The Participant’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his or her duties for the Company or an Affiliate;
(iii) The Participant’s commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement, dishonesty, moral turpitude, misappropriation of funds, breach of fiduciary duty, duty of loyalty and fidelity or other willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, or any act, whether or not related to the performance of the Participant’s Service, that affects the Company’s or any Affiliate’s reputation in a manner that may reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, financial condition, property or results of operation of the Company or any Affiliate;
(iv) The Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any Affiliate or any other party to whom the Participant owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of the Participant’s relationship with the Company or any Affiliate;
(v) The Participant’s breach of any of his or her obligations under any written agreement or covenant with, or any material policy of, the Company or any Affiliate;
(vi) The Participant’s indictment or conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or crime of moral turpitude;
(vii) The Participant’s debarment, exclusion or disqualification by any government regulator or government agency from participating in the business of the Company or any Affiliate; or
(viii) The Participant’s exhibition of a standard of behavior within the scope of or related to the Participant’s employment, or is a violation of the Company’s code of conduct, that is disruptive to the orderly conduct of the Company’s or its Affiliates’ business operations (including, without limitation, substance abuse, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, or other unlawful harassment or retaliation).
“Cause”, with respect to any Non-Employee Director, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, means a determination by a majority of the disinterested Directors that the Non-Employee Director has engaged in any of the following: (i) malfeasance while in office; (ii) gross negligence, willful misconduct or neglect with respect to the Company or any Affiliate; (iii) false or fraudulent misrepresentation in connection with the Non-Employee Director’s appointment; or (iv) conversion of corporate funds.
For the avoidance of doubt, references to the Company and Affiliate in the foregoing definitions of “Cause” shall include the successor to either as may be appropriate.
“Change in Control” means the date of the occurrence of any of the following events, provided that the event constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code:
(i) The consummation of any consolidation or merger of the Company with any other entity, other than a transaction which would result in the voting power of the securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such consolidation or merger;
(ii) Any one Person, or more than one Person acting as a group, acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection, (A) the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person or group, who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control, and (B) if the stockholders of the Company immediately before such change in ownership continue to retain immediately after the change in ownership, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to the change in ownership, the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company or of the ultimate parent entity of the Company, such event will not be considered a Change in Control under this subsection (ii). For this purpose, indirect beneficial ownership will include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities;
(iii) A majority of the Directors is replaced during any 12-month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the Directors prior to the date of the appointment or election; or
(iv) Any one Person, or more than one Person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iv), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in subsection (3) above. For purposes of this subsection (iv), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.
For purposes of this definition, Persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of an entity that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time and any successor statute.
“Committee” means the committee of the Board appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, pursuant to Section 3, which, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall be the Compensation and Stock Option Committee. In the absence of any such Committee, any action permitted or required to be taken hereunder by the Committee shall be deemed to refer to the Board.
“Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated by the Committee in substitution thereof.
“Consultant” means any Person who provides consulting or other services to the Company or any Affiliate and who is (i) neither an Employee nor a Non-Employee Director and (ii) may be offered securities registrable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
“Director” means a member of the Board.
“Disability” means (a) in the case of Incentive Stock Options, total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, and (b) in the case of other Awards, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment (and considered “disabled” within the meaning of Section 409A of the
Code). The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee, which shall be final, conclusive and binding. Except in situations where the Committee is determining Disability for purposes of the term of an Incentive Stock Option, the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates.
“Dividend Equivalent Right” means the right of a Participant, granted pursuant to Section 9 in connection with the Restricted Stock Unit Award, to receive a credit for the account of such Participant in an amount equal to cash or stock dividends or other distributions paid by the Company in respect of one share of Common Stock.
“Effective Date” means the original date of adoption of the Plan by the Board.
“Eligible Person” means any of the following: (i) any Employee, Consultant, or Non-Employee Director or (ii) any individual to whom the Company or any Affiliate has extended a formal offer of employment, so long as the grant of any Award shall not become effective until such individual commences such employment.
“Employee” means an individual, including, without limitation, any Officer and Director, who is a common law employee of the Company or an Affiliate.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exercise Price” means the price at which a share of Common Stock subject to an Option may be purchased upon the exercise of the Option.
“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is publicly traded and is then listed on a national securities exchange, its closing price on the date of determination on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable (subject to compliance with Applicable Law, including Section 409A of the Code);
(ii) If the Common Stock is publicly traded but is neither listed nor admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on the date of determination as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or
(iii) If none of the foregoing is applicable, by the Board or the Committee in good faith (and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, as applicable), which such decision shall be final, conclusive and binding.
“Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award to a Participant that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later date is set forth in such resolution or action, then such date as set forth in such resolution or action.
“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and is designated as an Incentive Stock Option. To the extent that any Option is not designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or even if so designated does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option at or subsequent to its Grant Date, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Option.
“Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee, and who satisfies the requirements of a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
“Non-Qualified Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
“Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Option” means the right to purchase, at the price and for the term fixed by the Committee in accordance with Section 6, and subject to such other limitations and restrictions in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, a number of shares of Common Stock determined by the Committee.
“Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award or Cash Award, and that is granted under Section 11 and is payable by delivery of Common Stock and/or which is measured by reference to the value of Common Stock.
“Participant” means an Eligible Person to whom the Committee has granted an Award under the Plan (or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an outstanding Award).
“Performance Award” means an award that may vest or may become eligible to vest contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals and which is granted pursuant to the terms of Section 10.
“Performance Goal” means one or more goals as may be established by the Committee that must be met by the end of a given Performance Period as a contingency for a given Award to vest and/or become exercisable, settled or payable, or to otherwise determine the numbers of shares of Common Stock or stock-denominated units that are earned under an Award.
“Performance Period” means one or more periods of time, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to vesting, exercisability, settlement or payment of an Award.
“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint share company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Restricted Stock Award” means a grant of shares of Common Stock under Section 8 that are issued subject to vesting and transfer restrictions and such other conditions as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
“Restricted Stock Unit Award” means an Award of Restricted Stock Units under Section 9.
“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or any successor statute.
“Service” means, as applicable, a Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, as an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant. For purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have been terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director or merely because of a transfer of the Participant’s Service between the Company and/or Affiliates (except as may be required for compliance with Section 409A of the Code). The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine whether a Company 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 Service for purposes of affected Awards, and such decision shall be final, conclusive and binding.
“Stock Appreciation Right” means a contractual right granted under Section 7 entitling the holder of such right to receive, subject to limitation and restrictions in the Plan and applicable Award Agreement, the appreciation in value of Common Stock.
“Subsidiary” means any entity in which the Company owns at least 50% of the combined voting power of all classes of equity entitled to vote or at least 50% of the combined value of all classes of equity.
“Ten Percent Stockholder” means an Employee who, at the time an Option is granted, owns either directly or indirectly (taking into account the attribution rules contained in Section 424(d) of the Code), stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.
3. Administration of the Plan.
a. General. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee (or the Board if no Committee has been appointed). The Committee shall have the power and authority to (i) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and procedures governing the administration of the Plan; (ii) determine and designate from time to time each Eligible Person to whom an Award will be granted and the type of Award to be granted; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each Award and the Grant Date of each Award; (iv) prescribe the terms of each Award, including, without limitation, the time or times when, and the manner and conditions upon which, each Award shall vest, become exercisable, be settled and/or expire, the Exercise Price or Base Price of each Award (as may be applicable), and the form of payment made in settlement of each Award; (v) specify the terms of the Award Agreement relating to each Award; (vi) determine or impose other conditions to the receipt of shares of Common Stock subject to an Award, as it may deem appropriate, including but not limited to, cash payments; (vii) interpret the terms of the Plan and each Award Agreement and the rules of procedures established by the Committee under the Plan; (viii) determine the rights of all Persons under the Plan; (ix) correct any defect or omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement; (x) make all determinations relating to the Service of a Participant; (xi) grant waivers of any conditions of the Plan or any Award Agreement, subject to Applicable Law; and (xii) make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of the Plan. In the case of any fractional share or unit resulting from the grant, vesting, payment or crediting of dividends under an Award, the Committee shall have the discretionary authority to round such fractional share or unit to the nearest higher whole share or unit, or convert such fractional share or unit into a right to receive a cash payment (unless determined otherwise by the Committee, such fractional share or unit shall be rounded to the nearest higher whole share or unit). All actions, decisions and interpretations of the Committee, the Board and any delegate of the Committee or Board under the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be final, binding, conclusive and non-appealable on all Persons, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by law. The Committee’s and the Board’s determinations under the Plan (including, without limitation, determinations of the persons to receive Awards, the form, amount and timing of such Awards, the terms and provisions of such Awards and the Award Agreements evidencing such Awards) need not be uniform and may be made by the Committee or the Board selectively among Persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, Awards under the Plan, whether or not such Persons are similarly situated.
b. Composition of the Committee. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist of two or more Directors appointed to such committee from time to time by the Board. To the extent deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of at least two Directors who are Non-Employee Directors and are “independent directors” under any applicable exchange requirements. The Board shall have discretion to determine whether or not it intends to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3; however, if the Board intends to satisfy such exemption requirements, with respect to any insider subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be a compensation committee of the Board that at all times consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. Nothing herein shall create an inference that an Award is not validly granted under the Plan in the event Awards are granted under the Plan by a committee of the Board that does not at all times consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors.
c. Delegation of Authority. The Board or the Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more Directors and/or Officers who are not Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Awards to Eligible Persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In the event of such delegation of authority, all provisions of the Plan relating to the Committee shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such delegation by treating any reference to the Committee as a reference to the committee or Officers to whom such delegation has been made.
d. Limited Liability; Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the maximum extent allowed by the Company’s charter, by-laws and Applicable Laws, the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection
with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Committee in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Committee in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, such Committee shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding.
4. Shares Subject to the Plan.
a. Aggregate Limit. Subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 4(d), the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to Awards under the Plan is equal to 5,125,000 shares (the “Share Reserve”), the full amount of which may be issued under the Plan through the exercise of Incentive Stock Options. For purposes of counting shares against the Share Reserve, Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock and other Awards that may be exercised for, settled in or convertible into shares of Common Stock will be counted against the Plan reserve on the date of grant of the Award based on the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the Award, as determined by the Committee. Shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares, forfeited shares and/or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner. As of the Effective Date, no further awards shall be made under the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan or any other prior equity incentive plans of the Company (but such plans shall remain in effect as to awards made thereunder that are still outstanding as of the Effective Date).
b. Individual Limits.
(i) Participants other than Non-Employee Directors. Subject to adjustment under Section 4(d), (A) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock underlying Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that may be granted under the Plan during any calendar year to any one Participant (other than a Non-Employee Director) shall be 500,000 shares; (B) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Restricted Stock Awards, awards of Restricted Stock Units and Other Stock Based Awards that may be granted under the Plan during any calendar year to any one Participant (other than a Non-Employee Director) shall be 500,000 (where the number of shares earned is dependent on the level of attainment of Performance Goals under a Performance Award, the number of shares counted shall be the number that may be earned at maximum performance); (C) the maximum amount of a Cash Award that may be paid pursuant to Section 11 in any calendar year to any Participant (other than a Non-Employee Director) shall be $3,000,000.
(ii) Non-Employee Directors. In any director year (as described below), no Non-Employee Director may receive Awards under the Plan that, when combined with cash compensation received for his or her service as a Non-Employee Director during such director year, exceed an aggregate value of $750,000 (with value of each equity award based on its grant date fair value, determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles). Any cash compensation paid or Awards granted to an individual for his or her service as an Employee, or for his or her services as a Consultant (other than a Non-Employee Director), will not count for purposes of the limitation under this Section. For purposes of the foregoing, a “director year” shall mean the approximate one-year period beginning on the date of a regular annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders and ending on the date of the next regular annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders.
c. Returned Shares. Any shares of Common Stock subject to an outstanding Award or any portion thereof granted under the Plan will be returned to the Share Reserve and will be available for issuance in connection with subsequent Awards under the Plan to the extent such shares (or the Awards covering such shares) (i) are cancelled, forfeited or settled in cash; (ii) expire by their terms at any time; or (iii) are reacquired by the Company pursuant to a forfeiture provision. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares subject to an Award shall not again be made available for issuance under the Plan if such shares are surrendered or tendered to pay the Exercise Price or Base Price of such Award or any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with vesting, exercise or settlement of such Award.
d. Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock, Etc. In the event of any change with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other distribution with respect to the shares of Common Stock, or any merger, reorganization, consolidation, combination, spin-off, or other similar corporate change, or any other any relevant change affecting the capitalization of the Company, the Committee shall, in the manner that it, in its sole discretion, determines is appropriate, cause an equitable adjustment or substitution to be made to (i) the maximum number of shares (or other securities or rights) reserved for issuance and future grant from the Share Reserve, (ii) the individual award limits set forth in Section 4(b), (iii) the number and kind of shares (or other securities or rights) subject to then outstanding Awards, (iv) the Exercise Price or Base Price with respect to any Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (v) the Performance Goals applicable to any Award and (vi) any other terms of an Award that are affected by the event. Any such actions shall be taken by the Company in good faith so as to substantially preserve the value, rights and benefits of any affected Awards. In the case of adjustments made pursuant to this Section 4(d), unless the Committee specifically determines that such adjustment is in the best interests of the Company or Affiliates, the Committee shall, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 4(d) will not constitute a modification, extension or renewal of the Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code, and in the case of Non-Qualified Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 4(d) will not constitute a modification of such Non-Qualified Options within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any adjustments made under this Section 4(d) shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes. In addition, in connection with any of the events described above, the Committee, in its sole discretion, and subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code may provide that each Award then-outstanding shall terminate in exchange for an equitable payment as determined by the Committee in good faith, which, in the case of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, may include a cash payment to the extent of the excess, if any, of the then-Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject to the Award, over the Exercise Price or Base Price per share of Common Stock subject to the Award, and in the event that there is no such excess, a payment of zero.
e. Substitute Awards. Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or Affiliate combines after the Effective Date (“Substitute Awards”). To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, shares of Common Stock subject to Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Share Reserve; provided, that, Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code shall be counted against the share limit applicable to Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the terms of Substitute Awards may vary from the terms set forth in the Plan to the extent the Committee deems appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the awards in substitution for which they are granted.
5. Eligibility and Awards.
a. Designation of Participants. Any Eligible Person may be selected by the Committee to receive an Award and become a Participant under the Plan in accordance with the Committee’s authority under Section 3. In selecting Eligible Persons to be Participants, and in determining the type and amount of Awards to be granted under the Plan, the Committee shall consider any and all factors that it deems relevant or appropriate.
b. Determination of Awards. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of all Awards granted to Participants in accordance with its authority under Section 3 and other terms of the Plan. An Award may consist of one type of right or benefit hereunder or of two or more such rights or benefits granted in tandem.
c. Award Agreements. Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in a written or electronic form approved by the Committee setting forth (as applicable) the number of shares of Common Stock, units or other rights subject to the Award, the Exercise Price, Base Price, or purchase price of the Award, the time or times at which an Award will become vested, exercisable, settled or payable, the term of the Award and any Performance Goals applicable to the Award. The Award Agreement may also set forth the effect on an Award of a Change in Control or a termination of Service under certain circumstances. The Award Agreement shall be subject
to and incorporate, by reference or otherwise, all of the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan, and may also set forth other terms and conditions applicable to the Award as determined by the Committee consistent with the limitations of the Plan. The grant of an Award under the Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in the Plan as being applicable to such type of Award (or to all Awards) or as are expressly set forth in the Award Agreement.
6. Option Awards.
a. Grant of Options. An Award of an Option may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the Exercise Price, the term of the Option, the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Option relates, any conditions to the exercise or vesting of all or a portion of the Option and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Award Agreement pertaining to an Option shall designate such Option as an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Option. In no event shall an Incentive Stock Option be granted to an individual who is not an employee of the Company or of a “subsidiary corporation” or a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as such terms are defined in Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which an Incentive Stock Option may first become exercisable by a Participant in any one calendar year under the Plan exceeds $100,000, the Option or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Non-Qualified Options. The Company shall have no liability to any Participant, or to any other Person, if an Option (or any portion thereof) that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option at any time or if an Option (or any portion thereof) is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code and the terms of such Option do not satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
b. Exercise Price. The Exercise Price with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, provided, however, that the Exercise Price per share shall not be less than 100% (or 110% in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of such Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code, and a Non-Qualified Option may be granted with an Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
c. Term of Option. The Committee shall determine and set forth in an Award Agreement the term during which an Option may be exercised, provided that in no event shall any Option have a maximum term greater than ten years from the Grant Date (except that the maximum term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall be no more than five years from the Grant Date), or such shorter period as set forth in the Award Agreement. Each Option shall terminate, cease to be exercisable and be forfeited not later than the end of the maximum term specified in the Award Agreement pertaining to the Option.
d. Vesting and Exercisability of Options. The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, provide in an Award Agreement the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, an Option or portion thereof shall become vested and/or exercisable. The Committee may condition the vesting and/or exercisability upon the passage of time (e.g., subject to the Participant’s continued Service for specified period) and/or the occurrence of any other event or condition that is established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide, in an Award Agreement or other agreement between a Participant and the Company, for the acceleration of vesting and/or exercisability of any Option upon a Participant’s termination of Service under specified circumstances or upon the occurrence of other specified events or conditions. To the extent the vesting requirements of an Option are not satisfied, the Option shall be forfeited. In no event may any Option be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock.
e. Termination of Service.
(i) General. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Option was vested and the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of the termination of Service) within the period of time ending on the earlier of (A) 90 days following the termination of the Participant’s Service, and (B) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Plan or Award Agreement. If, after termination of Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the applicable time frame, the Option will terminate.
(ii) Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Option was vested and the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination of Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (A) the date 12 months following such termination of Service, and (B) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination of Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the applicable time frame, the Option will terminate.
(iii) Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (A) a Participant’s Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (B) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Service for a reason other than death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Option was vested and the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (A) the date 12 months following the date of death, and (B) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option will terminate.
(iv) Termination for Cause. Except as provided otherwise in a Participant’s Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company and a Participant, if a Participant’s Service is terminated by the Company or any Affiliate for Cause, each Option, whether vested or unvested, that is held by such Participant shall terminate, cease to be exercisable/payable and be forfeited as of the date of such termination of Service.
f. Exercise of Options; Payment.
(i) Notice of Exercise. Subject to vesting, exercisability and other restrictions provided for hereunder or otherwise imposed in accordance herewith, an Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by a Participant only by delivery of written notice (in the form prescribed by the Committee) to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased. An Option may not be exercised after it is forfeited or otherwise terminated.
(ii) Payment of Exercise Price. The aggregate Exercise Price shall be paid in full upon the exercise of the Option. Payment must be made by one of the following methods: (A) cash or a certified or bank cashier’s check; (B) if and upon the terms approved by the Committee in its sole discretion, by delivery to the Company of previously owned and vested shares of Common Stock, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate Exercise Price due for the number of shares being acquired pursuant to such exercise, (C) if and upon the terms approved by the Committee in its sole discretion, through the withholding by the Company of shares of Common Stock otherwise to be received, with such withheld shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate Exercise Price due for the number of shares being acquired; (D) a “cashless” exercise program established with a broker; (E) by any combination of such methods of payment, or (F) any other method approved by the Committee in its sole discretion. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, the Exercise Price that is paid by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Common Stock that have been held for more than six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any period the Common Stock is publicly traded, an exercise by a Director or Officer that involves or may involve a direct or indirect extension of credit or arrangement of an extension of credit by the Company, directly or indirectly, in
violation of Section 402(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall be prohibited. The Committee may impose limitations and prohibitions on the exercise of Options as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, any limitation or prohibition designed to avoid accounting consequences which may result from the use of shares of Common Stock as payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.
g. Disqualifying Disposition with respect to Incentive Stock Option. If shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option are disposed of by a Participant prior to the expiration of (i) two years from the Grant Date of such Option, or (ii) one year from the date of the transfer of shares to the Participant pursuant to the exercise of such Option, or in any other “disqualifying disposition” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company in writing as soon as practicable thereafter of the date and terms of such disposition and, if the Company (or any Affiliate) thereupon has a tax withholding obligation, shall pay to the Company (or such Affiliate) an amount equal to any withholding tax the Company (or such Affiliate) is required to pay as a result of the disqualifying disposition.
7. Stock Appreciation Rights
a. Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. An Award of a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the Base Price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Stock Appreciation Right relates, any conditions to the exercise of all or a portion of the Stock Appreciation Right and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. A Stock Appreciation Right may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted in tandem with an Option, and in such event, shall (i) have a Base Price per share equal to the per share Exercise Price of the Option, (ii) be vested and exercisable at the same time or times that a related Option is vested and exercisable, and (iii) expire no later than the time at which the related Option expires.
b. Benefits Upon Exercise. Subject to such terms and conditions as specified in an Award Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the Participant to receive a payment, upon exercise or other settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right, of an amount determined by multiplying (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of each share of Common Stock covered by the Stock Appreciation Right on the date of exercise or settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right over the Base Price per share of Common Stock covered by the Stock Appreciation Right, by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised or settled. Such payment may be in cash, in shares of Common Stock (with or without restriction as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise or other settlement, or in any combination, as the Committee shall determine in the Award Agreement. Upon exercise of a tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the number of shares of Common Stock for which any related Option shall be exercisable shall be reduced by the number of shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised. The number of shares of Common Stock for which a tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable shall be reduced upon any exercise of any related Option by the number of Shares of Common Stock for which such Option has been exercised.
c. Base Price. The Base Price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, provided, however, that the Base Price per share shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of such Stock Appreciation Right.
d. Term of Stock Appreciation Right. The Committee shall determine and set forth in an Award Agreement the term during which a vested Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised or settled, provided that in no event shall any Stock Appreciation Right have a maximum term greater than 10 years from the Grant Date, or such shorter period as set forth in the Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate, cease to be exercisable/payable and be forfeited, not later than the end of the maximum term specified in the Agreement pertaining to the Stock Appreciation Right.
e. Vesting and Exercisability of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, provide in an Award Agreement the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, a Stock Appreciation Right or portion thereof shall become vested, exercisable and/or settled. The Committee may condition the vesting and/or exercisability upon the passage of time (e.g., subject to the Participant’s continued Service for a specified period) and/or the occurrence of any other event or condition that is established by the Committee and set forth in the Award
Agreement. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide, in an Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company, for the acceleration of vesting and/or exercisability of any Stock Appreciation Right upon a Participant’s termination of Service under specified circumstances or upon the occurrence of other specified events or conditions. To the extent the vesting requirements of a Stock Appreciation Right are not satisfied, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be forfeited.
f. Notice of Exercise. Subject to vesting, exercisability and other restrictions provided for hereunder or otherwise imposed in accordance herewith, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised, in whole or in part, by a Participant only by delivery of written notice (in the form prescribed by the Committee) to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the exercise applies. A Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised after it is forfeited or otherwise terminated.
g. Termination of Service. The same rules of Section 6(e) that apply to Options regarding termination of Service shall also apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.
8. Restricted Stock Awards.
a. Grant of Restricted Stock. A Restricted Stock Award may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award, the payment (if any) required for such shares, the vesting restrictions applicable to such shares and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Committee may require that certificates representing the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award bear a legend making appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed, and that certificates representing such shares will remain in the physical custody of the Company or an escrow holder until all restrictions are removed or have expired. The Committee may also require the Participant to execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable, and (ii) the appropriate blank stock power with respect to the shares of Common Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant fails to execute an agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Award and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and stock power, the Award shall be null and void.
b. Vesting of Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, provide in an Award Agreement the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, a Restricted Stock Award shall vest. The restrictions imposed on shares of Common Stock granted under a Restricted Stock Award shall lapse in accordance with the vesting requirements specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement. The Committee may condition the vesting upon the passage of time (e.g., subject to the Participant’s continued Service for a specified period) and/or the occurrence of any other event or condition that is established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide, in an Award Agreement or other agreement between a Participant and the Company, for the acceleration of vesting of a Restricted Stock Award upon a Participant’s termination of Service under specified circumstances or upon the occurrence of other specified events or conditions. If the vesting requirements applicable to a Restricted Stock Award are not satisfied, the shares subject to the Award shall automatically be forfeited, the Participant shall assign, transfer, and deliver any certificates evidencing ownership of such shares to the Company, and the Participant shall cease for all purposes to be a stockholder with respect to such shares. If the Participant paid for such forfeited shares in cash or other tangible consideration, then, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Company will refund to the Participant the lesser of (i) the amount originally paid by the Participant for such shares and (ii) the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of forfeiture. Without limiting Section 8(a), by acceptance of a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall be deemed to appoint, and does so appoint by execution of the Award Agreement, the Company and each of its authorized representatives as the Participant’s attorneys-in-fact to effect the transfer of forfeited shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award.
c. Nontransferability. Shares granted under any Restricted Stock Award may not be transferred, assigned or subject to any encumbrance, pledge, or charge unless and until (i) the vesting conditions applicable to the Award have been achieved, and (ii) the other restrictions on transferability applicable to Common Stock set forth in the Plan, the Award Agreement or otherwise have been satisfied.
d. Rights as a Stockholder. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8 and, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder with respect to shares of Common Stock granted to the Participant under a Restricted Stock Award, including the right to vote such shares and the right to receive dividends and distributions with respect such shares. However, unless provided otherwise in an Award Agreement, all cash and stock dividends and distributions shall be held back by the Company for the Participant’s account until such time as the related portion of the Restricted Stock Award vests (at which time such dividends or distributions, as applicable, shall be released and paid) and if such related portion of the Restricted Stock Award is forfeited, such dividends or distributions, as applicable, will be forfeited.
e. Section 83(b) Election. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall file, within 30 days following the date of grant of the Award, a copy of such election with the Company and with the Internal Revenue Service, in accordance with the regulations under Section 83 of the Code. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that the Restricted Stock Award is conditioned upon the Participant’s making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code.
9. Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
a. Grant of Restricted Stock Units. An Award of hypothetical Common Stock units (“Restricted Stock Units”) having a value equal to the Fair Market Value of an identical number of shares of Common Stock may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the number of shares of Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award, the vesting and/or earnings conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Units, the timing for settlement of the Restricted Stock Units and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside funds for the payment of any such Award. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder.
b. Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, provide in an Award Agreement the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, Restricted Stock Units shall vest and/or be settled. The Committee may condition the vesting upon the passage of time (e.g., subject to the Participant’s continued Service as of a specified date) and/or the occurrence of any other event or condition that is established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide, in an Award Agreement or other agreement between a Participant and the Company, for the acceleration of vesting of any Restricted Stock Units upon a Participant’s termination of Service under specified circumstances or upon the occurrence of other specified events or conditions. If the vesting requirements applicable to Restricted Stock Units are not satisfied, such units shall automatically be forfeited.
c. Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Committee may permit Participants holding Restricted Stock Units to receive Dividend Equivalent Rights on outstanding Restricted Stock Units if dividends are paid to stockholders on shares of Common Stock. If so permitted by the Committee, such Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid in cash or shares of Common Stock (in the sole discretion of the Committee), and will be payable to the Participant upon settlement of the Restricted Stock Units to which the Dividend Equivalent Rights relate and, to the extent such Restricted Stock Units are forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to payment in respect of the Dividend Equivalent Rights. If the Committee permits Dividend Equivalent Rights to be made on Restricted Stock Units, the terms and conditions for such Dividend Equivalent Rights will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
d. Settlement. At the time of settlement of a vested Restricted Stock Unit (which may be upon or following vesting of the Award, as set forth in the Award Agreement), the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one share of Common Stock for each such outstanding vested Restricted Stock Unit and cash equal to any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to each such vested Restricted Stock Unit and any interest thereon (or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents and the interest thereon, if any); provided, however, that, if explicitly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay cash or part cash and part Common Stock in lieu of delivering only shares of Common Stock for vested Restricted Stock Units. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Stock Unit vested (or specified deferred settlement date, if later).
10.Performance Awards.
a. Types of Performance Awards. In the discretion of the Committee, a Performance Award may be granted to any Eligible Person as an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Cash Award.
b. Terms of Performance Awards. Performance Awards will be based on the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Committee for the relevant Performance Period. Prior to the grant of any Performance Award, the Committee will determine and each Award Agreement shall set forth the terms of each Performance Award, including, without limitation: (i) the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period; (ii) the Performance Goals that shall be used to determine the time and extent to which a Performance Award has been earned; (iii) amount of any cash bonus, or the number of shares of Common Stock deemed subject to a Performance Award, and (iv) the effect of a termination of Participant’s Service on a Performance Award. Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Performance Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and Performance Goals. A Performance Award may but need not require the Participant’s completion of a specified period of Service.
c. Determination of Achievement. The Committee shall determine the extent to which a Performance Award has been earned in its sole discretion, including the extent to which Performance Goals have been attained, and the degree of achievement between minimum and maximum levels. The Committee may reduce or waive any criteria with respect to a Performance Goal, or adjust a Performance Goal (or method of calculating the attainment of a Performance Goal) to take into account unanticipated events, including changes in law and accounting or tax rules, as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate, or to reflect the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or circumstances to avoid windfalls or hardships. The Committee may also adjust or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals in its sole discretion, subject to any limitations contained in the Award Agreement and compliance with Applicable Law.
11. Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash Awards.
a. Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may grant, either alone or in tandem with other Awards, to any Eligible Person an Other Stock-Based Award that is payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based or related to shares of Common Stock, including, but not limited to, shares of Common Stock awarded as a bonus or other compensation which are issued without restrictions on transfer and other incidents of ownership and free from forfeiture conditions (other than those that generally apply to shares of Common Stock under the Plan). An Other Stock-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Award, any payment required for such Award, any vesting conditions applicable to the Award and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
b. Cash Awards. The Committee may grant, to any Eligible Person, a Cash Award that is payable contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals and/or such other terms as the Committee may determine (“Cash Award”). A Cash Award may also require the completion of a specified period of Service. The degree to which Performance Goals applicable to a Cash Award have been attained will be conclusively determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee may specify the form of payment of Cash Awards, which may be cash or other property, or may provide for a Participant to have the option for his or her Cash Award, or such portion thereof as the Committee may specify, to be paid in whole or in part in cash or other property.
12. Forfeiture Events
a. General. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. Such events may include, without limitation, a termination of Service for Cause and/or breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is materially detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company. The Committee shall have the power to determine whether the Participant has been terminated for Cause and the date upon which such termination for Cause occurs. Any such determination shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Participant. In addition, if the Company shall reasonably determine that a Participant has committed or may have committed any act which could constitute the basis for a termination of such Participant’s Service for Cause, the Committee may, subject to compliance with Applicable Law, suspend the Participant’s rights to exercise any Option or Stock Appreciation Right, receive any payment or vest in any right with respect to any Award pending a determination by the Company of whether an act has been committed which could constitute the basis for a termination for Cause.
b. Right of Recapture. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if at any time within 1 year after the date on which a Participant exercises an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or on which an another Award vests or becomes payable, or on which income otherwise is realized by a Participant in connection with an Award,
(i) a Participant’s Service is terminated for Cause, or
(ii) the Committee determines in its sole discretion either that, (A) while in Service, the Participant had engaged in an act which would have warranted termination for Cause, or (B) after termination of Service for any reason, the Participant has engaged in conduct that violates any continuing obligation or duty of the Participant in respect of the Company, or any Affiliate,
then any gain realized by the Participant from the exercise, vesting, payment or other realization of income by the Participant in connection with an Award, shall be paid by the Participant to the Company upon notice from the Committee. Such gain shall be determined as of the date on which the gain is realized by the Participant, without regard to any subsequent change in the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock. The Company shall have the right to offset such gain against any amounts otherwise owed to the Participant by the Company (whether as wages, vacation pay or pursuant to any benefit plan or other compensatory arrangement), subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code and other Applicable Law. The foregoing shall apply in addition to any other relief available to the Company or any of its Affiliates at law or otherwise and without limiting the ability of the Company or any of its Affiliates to pursue the same.
c. Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other Applicable Law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement or compensation clawback policy as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of an event constituting Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to voluntarily terminate employment upon a “resignation for good reason,” or for a “constructive termination” or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company or any Affiliate. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any such clawback policy of the Company, whether required by applicable listing standards or law, or otherwise adopted by the Board in its discretion, may provide that if a Participant, regardless of his or her position with the Company, receives compensation pursuant to an Award under the Plan based on financial statements that are subsequently required to be restated in a way that would decrease the value of such compensation, the Participant will forfeit and repay to the Company the difference between what the Participant received and what the Participant should have received based on the accounting restatement. By accepting an Award hereunder, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that any such policy shall apply to such Award, and all compensation payable pursuant to such Award shall be subject to forfeiture and repayment pursuant to the terms of such policy. Although not required to give effect to the provisions of this Section 12(c), the Committee may, as it deems appropriate, amend the Plan to reflect the terms of any such policy.
13. Change in Control. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control, outstanding Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the agreement pursuant to which the Change in Control takes place (or to such treatment as the Committee otherwise determines), which need not treat all outstanding Awards or Participants in an identical manner. Such agreement (or other treatment), without the Participant’s consent, may provide for one or more of the following with respect to Awards outstanding as of or immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control:
a. The continuation of any outstanding Awards by the Company (if the Company is the surviving entity);
b. The assumption of any outstanding Awards by the acquirer or surviving entity or its parent or subsidiary in a manner that complies with Sections 424(a) and 409A of the Code (as applicable), or the substitution by the successor or acquiring entity or its parent or subsidiary of equivalent awards with substantially the same terms for such outstanding Award in a manner that complies with Sections 424(a) and 409A of the Code (as applicable);
c. Full or partial acceleration of vesting and/or, if applicable, exercisability, of any Awards, and, in the case of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, followed by the cancellation of such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, if not exercised within a time period prior to the Change in Control, as specified by the Committee. The full or partial exercisability of such Awards and full or partial vesting of any Awards may be contingent on the closing of such Change in Control. Any exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during such period may be contingent on the closing of such Change in Control;
d. With respect to Performance Awards, the cessation, upon the date of the Change in Control, of any incomplete Performance Periods applicable to such Awards, with the Committee determining the extent to which the Performance Goals applicable to such Awards have been attained as of the date of the Change in Control based on such audited or unaudited financial information then available as the Committee deems appropriate, and partial or full payment to the Participant in respect of such Awards based on such determination by the Committee, or, if not determinable, with the assumption that the applicable “target” level of performance has been attained, or on such other basis determined by the Committee;
e. The settlement of Awards (whether or not then vested or exercisable) in cash, cash equivalents, or securities of the successor entity (or its parent, if any) with a fair market value (as determined by the Committee) equal to the required amount provided in the agreement pursuant to which the Change in Control occurs, followed by the cancellation of such Awards; provided however, that such Award may be cancelled without consideration if such Award has no value, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, such payment may be made in installments and may be deferred until the date or dates the Award would have become exercisable or vested. Such payment may be subject to vesting based on the Participant’s continuous Service, provided that the vesting schedule shall not be less favorable to the Participant than the schedule under which the Award would have become vested or exercisable. For purposes of this paragraph, the Fair Market Value of any security shall be determined without regard to any vesting conditions that may apply to such security. Further, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the Participant may be required to bear his or her pro rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations with respect to the Award and settlement of the Award may be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the holders of Common Stock. Without limitation of the foregoing, in the case of Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights, such settlement may, at the discretion of the Committee, include payment to one or more Participants holding such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the Fair Market Value of the shares subject to each such Option or Stock Appreciation Right (whether or not such Option or Stock Appreciation Right is then vested or exercisable) as of the closing date of such Change in Control over (ii) aggregate Exercise Price or Base Price of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right. With respect to any or every Option or Stock Appreciation Right that has a per share Exercise Price or Base Price that equals or exceeds the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock as of the closing of the Change in Control, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide for the cancellation of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right without any payment to the Participant therefor; and/or
f. The cancellation of unvested Awards (or portion thereof) in exchange for no consideration. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and evidenced in an Award Agreement (or as otherwise determined by the Committee), in the event of a Change in Control and either (i) an outstanding Award is not assumed or substituted in connection with the Change in Control, or (ii) an outstanding Award is assumed or substituted in connection therewith but the Participant’s Service is terminated by the Company (or its successor or affiliate) without Cause
within twelve (12) months after the Change in Control, then: (A) any unvested or unexercisable portion of any Award carrying a right to exercise shall become fully vested and exercisable, and (B) the restrictions (including exercise restrictions), deferral limitations, payment conditions and forfeiture conditions applicable to an Award granted will lapse and such Award will be deemed fully vested, and any performance conditions on the Award will be deemed achieved based on actual performance levels as determined by the Committee. For purposes of the preceding sentence, an Award shall be considered to be assumed or substituted for if, following the Change in Control, the Award remains subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control except that, if the Award related to shares of Common Stock, the award instead confers the right to receive, or otherwise relates to, common stock of the acquiring or surviving entity (with adjustment to such number of shares subject to the Award as determined by the Committee). For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of or waive restrictions on awards in whole or in part at any time, for any reason (subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable to the Award).
14. General Provisions
a. Additional Documentation. The Company may, at any time, require a Participant to execute any additional documents or instruments necessary or desirable, as determined by the Committee, to carry out the purposes or intent of any Award and/or to facilitate compliance with securities, tax and/or other regulatory requirements. Any such additional documents or instructions may, but need not be, appended to an Award Agreement.
b. Restrictions on Transfer of Awards. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or an applicable Award Agreement, or otherwise determined by the Committee, no Participant may sell, transfer, assign, pledge, donate or otherwise dispose of (including any transfer by operation of law or involuntary transfer) Awards or any interest therein for any reason during the Participant’s lifetime, and any attempt to do so shall be void and shall result in the relevant Award being forfeited. The Committee may grant Awards (except Incentive Stock Options) that are transferable by the Participant during his or her lifetime, but such Awards shall be transferable only to the extent specifically provided in such Participant’s Award Agreement. In the event of the death of a Participant, an Award may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution. The transferee of the Participant shall, in all cases, be subject to the provisions of the Award Agreement and the terms and conditions of this Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant or, during the period the Participant is under a legal disability, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.
c. Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a holder of shares of Common Stock with respect to any unissued securities covered by an Award until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of such securities (except for any Dividend Equivalent Rights permitted by an applicable Award Agreement). Except as otherwise provided for in the Plan or an Award Agreement, after shares of Common Stock are issued to the Participant, the Participant will be a stockholder and have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares, including the right to vote and receive dividends or other distributions.
d. Prohibition Against Exchange and Buyout of Awards. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, a Change in Control or any transaction or event described in Section 4(d)), the Committee shall not, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, (i) reduce the Exercise Price of an Option or reduce the Base Price of a Stock Appreciation Right after it is granted, (ii) cancel any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for another Award, or Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an Exercise Price or Base Price, as applicable, that is less than the Exercise Price or Base Price of the original Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (iii) cancel an outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right when the Exercise Price or Base Price, as applicable, exceeds the Fair Market Value of a share of the Common Stock in exchange for cash or other securities, or (iv) take any other action with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the principal securities market on which the Common Stock is traded. Any amendment or repeal of this Section 14(d) shall require the approval of the stockholders of the Company.
e. Deferrals of Payment. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of shares of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award shall or may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants (or deferred settlement or payment required by the Committee) will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, if applicable, and any other Applicable Law.
f. Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting. The Committee shall have the power and authority to accelerate the time at which an Award or any part thereof may be exercised or the time at which an Award or any part thereof will vest, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which an award may be exercised or the time at which it will vest. Any such acceleration shall be subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable to the Award.
g. Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action approving the grant contain terms (e.g., Exercise Price, Base Price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.
h. Securities Law Compliance.
(i) General. No shares of Common Stock shall be purchased, sold or otherwise issued pursuant to any Award unless and until (A) any then applicable requirements of state or federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Committee and its counsel and (B) if required to do so by the Committee, the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such form and containing such provisions as the Committee may require in its sole discretion.
(ii) Section 16. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of the Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this subsection, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.
i. Tax Withholding. All Awards (including the issuance or vesting of shares or payment of cash pursuant to an Award) shall be subject to all applicable tax withholding. Prior to the delivery of any shares of Common Stock or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof) or such earlier time as any tax withholdings are due, the Company will have the power and right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy U.S. federal, state, or local taxes, non-U.S. taxes, or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award. The Committee, or its delegate(s), as permitted by Applicable Law, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time and subject to limitations of Applicable Law, may require or permit a Participant to satisfy any applicable tax withholding obligations, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (A) requiring the Participant to make a cash payment, (B) withholding from the Participant’s wages or other cash compensation paid to the Participant by the Company or any Affiliate; (C) withholding from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable pursuant to an Award; (D) permitting the Participant to deliver to the Company already-owned shares of Common Stock, (E) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of otherwise deliverable shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Award either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company or (F) such other means as the Committee shall deem appropriate.
j. Section 409A Compliance. It is intended that this Plan and any Awards will comply with, or avoid application of, the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, and they shall be interpreted and construed on a basis consistent with that intent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for
purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum (without interest) on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Affiliates and their respective employees, officers and directors shall have no liability whatsoever to a Participant nor any other Person (i) if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant, or (ii) in respect of any decision to take action to attempt to comply with Section 409A of the Code, any omission to take such action or for the failure of any action taken by the Company to so comply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the sole discretion of the Committee, the Company may, but is under no obligation to, agree to pay all or a portion of the individual tax liability of one or more Participants whose awards do not satisfy the conditions for exemption under Section 409A of the Code.
k. No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company shall have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising an Award. Furthermore, the Company shall have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise any Participant of a pending termination or expiration of any Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of any Award.
l. Unfunded Plan. The adoption of the Plan and any reservation of shares of Common Stock or cash amounts by the Company to discharge its obligations hereunder shall not be deemed to create a trust or other funded arrangement. Except upon the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to an Award, any rights of a Participant under the Plan shall be those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company, and neither a Participant nor the Participant’s permitted transferees or estate shall have any other interest in any assets of the Company by virtue of the Plan. The Plan is not intended to be a plan that is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and shall be interpreted accordingly.
m. Stop Transfer Orders. All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under Applicable Law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
n. Other Compensation and Benefit Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other share incentive or other compensation plans in effect for the Company or any of its Affiliates, nor shall the Plan preclude the Company from establishing any other forms of share incentive or other compensation or benefit program for employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates. The amount of any compensation deemed to be received by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall not constitute includable compensation for purposes of determining the amount of benefits to which a Participant is entitled under any other compensation or benefit plan or program of the Company or an Affiliate, including, without limitation, under any pension or severance benefits plan, except to the extent specifically provided by the terms of any such plan.
o. Plan Binding on Transferees. The Plan shall be binding upon the Company, its successors, transferees and assigns, and the Participant, the Participant’s executor, administrator and permitted transferees and beneficiaries.
p. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Plan will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under Applicable Law, but if any provision of this Plan is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any Applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or the enforceability of this Plan in any other jurisdiction, but this Plan will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
q. Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws and practices in other countries in which the Company and its Affiliates operate or have Employees or other Eligible Persons, the Committee, in its sole discretion, will have the power and authority to: (i) determine which
Affiliates will be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States or foreign nationals to comply with applicable foreign laws, policies, customs and practices; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Committee determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications will be attached to this Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications will increase the share limitations contained in Section 4(a); and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Committee determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not take any actions under the Plan, and no Awards will be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.
r. No Continued Service Rights. Neither the Plan nor any Award granted hereunder shall confer on any Participant any right to continuation of the Participant’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Affiliates, nor shall it interfere in any way with such Participant’s right or the right of the Company or its Affiliates to terminate such relationship, with or without Cause.
s. Governing Law. All issues concerning this Plan will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
t. Captions. The captions in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and are not intended to narrow, limit or affect the substance or interpretation of the provisions contained herein.
15. Amendment and Termination.
a. Amendment. The Board at any time, and form time to time, may amend the Plan in any respect that it deems necessary or advisable, subject to the limitations of Applicable Law and this Section 15. If required by Applicable Law, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (i) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan (except as provided in Section 4(d) relating to adjustments upon changes in Common Stock), (ii) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan, (iii) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (iv) materially reduces the price at which Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (v) materially extends the term of the Plan, (vi) materially expands the types of Awards available for issuance under the Plan, or (vii) as otherwise required by Applicable Law. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Awards, subject to the limitations of this Section 15.
b. Termination. The Plan shall terminate automatically on the 10th anniversary of the Effective Date. The Board at any earlier time may suspend or terminate the Plan. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond suspension or termination of the Plan. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Board’s or the Committee’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it under the Plan with respect to Awards granted or awarded under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
c. No Impairment. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan or any Award pursuant to this Section 15 may materially impair a Participant’s rights under any outstanding Award, except with the written consent of the affected Participant or as may otherwise be expressly permitted in the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of Applicable Law, if any, the Committee may amend the terms of any one or more Awards without the affected Participant’s consent (i) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (ii) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (iii) to facilitate compliance with other Applicable Laws.
