EASTERLY GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES, INC. 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Exhibit 10.3
EASTERLY GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES, INC.
2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1. | GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS |
The name of the plan is the Easterly Government Properties, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan). The purpose of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of Easterly Government Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), Easterly Government Properties, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Operating Partnership) and their Subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Companys welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Companys behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.
The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Administrator means either the Board or the compensation committee of the Board or a similar committee performing the functions of the compensation committee and which is comprised of not less than two Non-Employee Directors who are independent.
Award or Awards, except where referring to a particular category of grant under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, Performance Share Awards, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Other Equity-Based Awards contemplated herein.
Award Certificate means a written or electronic document setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. Each Award Certificate is subject to the terms and conditions of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
Cash-Based Award means an Award entitling the recipient to receive a cash-denominated payment.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.
Consultant means any natural person that provides bona fide services to the Company, and such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Companys securities.
Covered Employee means an employee who is a Covered Employee within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Dividend Equivalent Right means an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to and held by the grantee.
Effective Date means the date of the IPO as set forth in Section 22.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Fair Market Value of the Stock on any given date means the fair market value of the Stock determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided, however, that if the Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, Fair Market Value means the closing price of the Stock on the primary exchange on which the Stock is listed on the date of determination; provided that, if there are no trades in the Stock on such date, Fair Market Value means the closing price of the Stock on such primary exchange on the last date preceding such date for which there was at least one trade in the Stock; provided further, however, that if the date for which Fair Market Value is determined is the first day when trading prices for the Stock are reported on a national securities exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the Price to the Public (or equivalent) set forth on the cover page for the final prospectus relating to the Companys IPO.
Full Value Award means an Award under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan other than an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right or an Award with similar economics to an Option.
Incentive Stock Option means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
IPO means the consummation of the first underwritten, firm commitment public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act covering the offer and sale by the Company of its equity securities, or such other event as a result of or following which the Stock shall be publicly held.
Non-Employee Director means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company, the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary.
Non-Qualified Stock Option means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
Operating Partnership means Easterly Government Properties, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
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Option or Stock Option means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.
Performance-Based Award means any Restricted Stock Award, Award of Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Performance Criteria means the criteria that the Administrator selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for an individual for a Performance Cycle. The Performance Criteria (which shall be applicable to the organizational level specified by the Administrator, including, but not limited to, the Company or a unit, division, group, or Subsidiary of the Company) that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: total shareholder return, net income (loss) (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), changes in the market price of the Stock, funds from operations or similar measure, sales or revenue, acquisitions or strategic transactions, operating income, return on capital, assets, equity, or investment, occupancy rates, expense, margins, earnings (loss) per share of Stock, market share, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group. The Administrator may appropriately adjust any evaluation performance under a Performance Criterion to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a Performance Cycle: (i) asset write-downs or impairments, (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reporting results, (iv) accruals for reorganizations and restructuring programs, (v) any extraordinary non-recurring items, including those described in the Financial Accounting Standards Boards authoritative guidance and/or in managements discussion and analysis of financial condition of operations appearing the Companys annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, and (vi) any other extraordinary items adjusted from the Company U.S. GAAP results.
Performance Cycle means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Criteria will be measured for the purpose of determining a grantees right to and the payment of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award, the vesting and/or payment of which is subject to the attainment of one or more Performance Goals. Each such period shall not be less than 12 months.
Performance Goals means, for a Performance Cycle, the specific goals established in writing by the Administrator for a Performance Cycle based upon the Performance Criteria.
Performance Share Award means an Award entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals.
Restricted Shares means the shares of Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to a risk of forfeiture or the Companys right of repurchase.
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Restricted Stock Award means an Award of shares of Stock subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.
Restricted Stock Units means an Award of stock units subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.
Sale Event shall mean (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to an unrelated person or entity, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation pursuant to which the holders of the Companys outstanding voting power and outstanding stock immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power and outstanding stock or other equity interests of the resulting or successor entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) immediately upon completion of such transaction, (iii) the sale of all of the Stock of the Company to an unrelated person or entity, or group thereof acting in concert, or (iv) any other transaction in which the owners of the Companys outstanding voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own at least a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company or any successor entity immediately upon completion of the transaction.
Sale Price means the value as determined by the Administrator of the consideration payable, or otherwise to be received by stockholders, per share of Stock pursuant to a Sale Event.
Section 409A means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
Stock means the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.
Stock Appreciation Right means an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
Subsidiary means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in which the Company has at least a 50 percent interest, either directly or indirectly.
Ten Percent Owner means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation.
Units means units of partnership interest, including one or more classes of profits interests in the Operating Partnership.
Unrestricted Stock Award means an Award of shares of Stock free of any restrictions.
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SECTION 2. | ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS |
(a) Administration of 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall be administered by the Administrator.
(b) Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, including the power and authority:
(i) to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;
(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, Performance Share Awards, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Units, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;
(iii) to determine the number of shares of Stock or, in the case of a Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash, to be covered by any Award;
(iv) to determine and, subject to Section 19, modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the forms of Award Certificates;
(v) to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;
(vi) subject to the provisions of Section 5(c), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised; and
(vii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and any Award (including related written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator made in good faith shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and 2015 Equity Incentive Plan grantees.
(c) Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards. Subject to applicable law, the Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company all or part of the Administrators authority and duties with respect to the granting of Awards to employees who are (i) not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the
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Exchange Act and (ii) not Covered Employees. Any such delegation by the Administrator shall include a limitation as to the amount of Awards that may be granted during the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to the determination of the exercise price and the vesting criteria. The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Administrators delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
(d) Award Certificate. Awards under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall be evidenced by Award Certificates that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include, without limitation, the term of an Award and the provisions applicable in the event employment or service terminates.
(e) Indemnification. Neither the Board nor the Administrator, nor any member of either or any delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, and the members of the Board and the Administrator (and any delegate thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under the Companys articles or bylaws or any directors and officers liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time and/or any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Company.
(f) Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan; (ii) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Administrator determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to this 2015 Equity Incentive Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Administrator determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall 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.
SECTION 3. | STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION |
(a) Stock Issuable. Subject to the provisions of this Section 3(a) or any adjustment as provided in Section 3(b), Awards may be granted under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan with respect to 2,273,959 shares of Stock (the Share Maximum). For purposes of this limitation,
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the shares of Stock underlying any Awards that are forfeited, canceled, expired or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, including (i) shares tendered or held back upon exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding, and (ii) shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right upon exercise thereof. Subject to such overall limitation and any adjustment as provided in Section 3(b), the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed the Share Maximum and Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with respect to no more than the Share Maximum shares of Stock may be granted to any one individual grantee during any one calendar year period. The shares available for issuance under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock reacquired by the Company.
(b) Changes in Stock. Subject to Section 3(c) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Companys capital stock, the outstanding shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Stock or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for securities of the Company or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, including the maximum number of shares that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options, (ii) the number of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that can be granted to any one individual grantee and the maximum number of shares that may be granted under a Performance-Based Award, (iii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, (iv) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, and (v) the exercise price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) as to which such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights remain exercisable. The Administrator shall also make equitable or proportionate adjustments in the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding Awards to take into consideration cash dividends paid other than in the ordinary course or any other extraordinary corporate event. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive absent manifest error. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.
(c) Mergers and Other Transactions. Except as the Administrator may otherwise specify with respect to particular Awards in the relevant Award Certificate, in the case of and subject to the consummation of a Sale Event, the parties thereto may cause the assumption or continuation of Awards theretofore granted by the successor entity, or the substitution of such Awards with new Awards of the successor entity or parent thereof, with appropriate adjustment
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as to the number and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such parties shall agree. To the extent the parties to such Sale Event do not provide for the assumption, continuation or substitution of Awards, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are not exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, all other Awards with time-based vesting conditions or restrictions shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective time of the Sale Event and all Awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals shall become vested and nonforfeitable in connection with a Sale Event to the extent specified in the relevant Award Agreement, and upon the effective time of the Sale Event, the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and all outstanding Awards granted hereunder shall terminate. In the event of such termination, (i) the Company shall have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a cash payment to the grantees holding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the Sale Price multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) over (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights; or (ii) each grantee shall be permitted, within a specified period of time prior to the consummation of the Sale Event as determined by the Administrator, to exercise all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable) held by such grantee.
(d) Substitute Awards. The Administrator may grant Awards under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan in substitution for stock and stock based awards held by employees, directors or other key persons of another corporation in connection with the merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of property or stock of the employing corporation. The Administrator may direct that the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Administrator considers appropriate in the circumstances. Any substitute Awards granted under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall not count against the share limitation set forth in Section 3(a).
SECTION 4. | ELIGIBILITY |
Grantees under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan will be such full or part-time officers and other employees, Non-Employee Directors and key persons (including Consultants) of the Company and its Subsidiaries as are selected from time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
SECTION 5. | STOCK OPTIONS |
(a) Award of Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Stock Options under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. Any Stock Option granted under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall be in such form as the Administrator may from time to time approve.
Stock Options granted under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
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Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable. If the Administrator so determines, Stock Options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionees election, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may establish.
(b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the exercise price per share of such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the grant date.
(c) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the Stock Option is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the term of such Stock Option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant.
(d) Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date. The Administrator may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.
(e) Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods to the extent provided in the Option Award Certificate:
(i) In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;
(ii) Through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Stock owned by the optionee and that are not then subject to restrictions under any Company plan. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date;
(iii) By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company for the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall reasonably prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or
(iv) With respect to Stock Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, by a net exercise arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price.
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Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award Certificate or applicable provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Company is obligated to withhold with respect to the optionee). In the event an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the number of attested shares. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Stock Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of Stock Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
(f) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for incentive stock option treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
SECTION 6. | STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS |
(a) Award of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may grant Stock Appreciation Rights under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. A Stock Appreciation Right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
(b) Exercise Price of Stock Appreciation Rights. The exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant.
(c) Grant and Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted by the Administrator independently of any Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
(d) Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined from time to time by the Administrator. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right may not exceed ten years.
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SECTION 7. | RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS |
(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Awards under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. A Restricted Stock Award is any Award of Restricted Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each such Award Certificate shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.
(b) Rights as a Stockholder. Upon the grant of the Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Shares and receipt of dividends; provided that if the lapse of restrictions with respect to the Restricted Stock Award is tied to the attainment of performance goals, any dividends paid by the Company during the performance period shall accrue and shall not be paid to the grantee until and to the extent the performance goals are met with respect to the Restricted Stock Award. Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, (i) uncertificated Restricted Shares shall be accompanied by a notation on the records of the Company or the transfer agent to the effect that they are subject to forfeiture until such Restricted Shares are vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and (ii) certificated Restricted Shares shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Shares are vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and the grantee shall be required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company such instruments of transfer as the Administrator may prescribe.
(c) Restrictions. Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 19 below, in writing after the Award is issued, if a grantees employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, any Restricted Stock that has not vested at the time of termination shall automatically and without any requirement of notice to such grantee from or other action by or on behalf of, the Company be deemed to have been reacquired by the Company at its original purchase price (if any) from such grantee or such grantees legal representative simultaneously with such termination of employment (or other service relationship), and thereafter shall cease to represent any ownership of the Company by the grantee or rights of the grantee as a stockholder. Following such deemed reacquisition of Restricted Shares that are represented by physical certificates, a grantee shall surrender such certificates to the Company upon request without consideration.
(d) Vesting of Restricted Shares. The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the Restricted Shares and the Companys right of repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be Restricted Shares and shall be deemed vested.
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SECTION 8. | RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS |
(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. A Restricted Stock Unit is an Award of stock units that may be settled in shares of Stock upon the satisfaction of such restrictions and conditions at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each such Award Certificate shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees. Except in the case of Restricted Stock Units with a deferred settlement date that complies with Section 409A, at the end of the vesting period, the Restricted Stock Units, to the extent vested, shall be settled in the form of shares of Stock. Restricted Stock Units with deferred settlement dates are subject to Section 409A and shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
(b) Election to Receive Restricted Stock Units in Lieu of Compensation. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of an award of Restricted Stock Units. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Administrator in accordance with Section 409A and such other rules and procedures established by the Administrator. Any such future cash compensation that the grantee elects to defer shall be converted to a fixed number of Restricted Stock Units based on the Fair Market Value of Stock on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee if such payment had not been deferred as provided herein. The Administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the Administrator deems appropriate. Any Restricted Stock Units that are elected to be received in lieu of cash compensation shall be fully vested, unless otherwise provided in the Award Certificate.
(c) Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee shall have the rights as a stockholder only as to shares of Stock acquired by the grantee upon settlement of his Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator may provide that the grantee shall be credited with Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to his Restricted Stock Units, provided that if the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units is tied to the attainment of performance goals, the Dividend Equivalent Rights shall accrue and shall not become vested until and to the extent that the performance goals are met with respect to the Restricted Stock Units.
(d) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 19 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantees right in all Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantees termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
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SECTION 9. | UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS |
Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock. The Administrator may grant (or sell at par value or such higher purchase price determined by the Administrator) an Unrestricted Stock Award under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. An Unrestricted Stock Award is an Award pursuant to which the grantee may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of cash compensation due to such grantee.
SECTION 10. | CASH-BASED AWARDS |
Grant of Cash-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant Cash-Based Awards under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. A Cash-Based Award is an Award that entitles the grantee to a payment in cash upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals. The Administrator shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash.
SECTION 11. | PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS |
(a) Nature of Performance Share Awards. The Administrator may grant Performance Share Awards under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. A Performance Share Award is an Award entitling the grantee to receive shares of Stock upon the attainment of performance goals. The Administrator shall determine whether and to whom Performance Share Awards shall be granted, the performance goals, the periods during which performance is to be measured, which may not be less than one year except in the case of a Sale Event, and such other limitations and conditions as the Administrator shall determine.
(b) Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee receiving a Performance Share Award shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares of Stock actually received by the grantee under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and not with respect to shares of Stock subject to the Award but not actually received by the grantee. A grantee shall be entitled to receive shares of Stock under a Performance Share Award only upon satisfaction of all conditions specified in the Performance Share Award Certificate (or in a performance plan adopted by the Administrator).
(c) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 19 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantees rights in all Performance Share Awards shall automatically terminate upon the grantees termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
SECTION 12. | PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS |
(a) Performance-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant one or more Performance-Based Awards in the form of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Units,
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Performance Share Awards or Cash-Based Award payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Administrator and relate to one or more of the Performance Criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for any Performance Cycle. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a division, business unit, or an individual. Each Performance-Based Award shall comply with the provisions set forth below.
(b) Grant of Performance-Based Awards. With respect to each Performance-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee, the Administrator shall select, within the first 90 days of a Performance Cycle (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) the Performance Criteria for such grant, and the Performance Goals with respect to each Performance Criterion (including a threshold level of performance below which no amount will become payable with respect to such Award). Each Performance-Based Award will specify the amount payable, or the formula for determining the amount payable, upon achievement of the various applicable performance targets. The Performance Criteria established by the Administrator may be (but need not be) different for each Performance Cycle and different Performance Goals may be applicable to Performance-Based Awards to different Covered Employees.
(c) Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Following the completion of a Performance Cycle, the Administrator shall meet to review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Cycle have been achieved and, if so, to also calculate and certify in writing the amount of the Performance-Based Awards earned for the Performance Cycle. The Administrator shall then determine the actual size of each Covered Employees Performance-Based Awards.
(d) Maximum Award Payable. The maximum Performance-Based Award payable to any one Covered Employee under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan for a Performance Cycle is equal to the Share Maximum or $5.0 million in the case of a Performance-Based Award that is a Cash-Based Award.
SECTION 13. | DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS |
(a) Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Administrator may grant Dividend Equivalent Rights under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any grantee as a component of an Award of Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Share Award, Units or Other Equity-Based Award or as a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Certificate. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of reinvestment or such other price as may then apply under a dividend reinvestment plan sponsored by the Company, if any. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments.
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A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of an award of Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Award, Units or Other Equity-Based Award with performance vesting or Performance Share Award shall provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled only upon settlement or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award.
(b) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 19 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantees rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights granted as a component of an award of Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Share Award, Units or Other Equity-Based Award that has not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantees termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
SECTION 14. | OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS |
The Administrator shall have the right to grant Units or any other membership or ownership interests (which may be expressed as units or otherwise) in the Operating Partnership or a Subsidiary (or other affiliate of the Company), with any shares of Stock being issued in connection with the conversion of (or other distribution on account of) an interest granted under the authority of this Section 14 to be subject to Section 3 and the other provisions of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
SECTION 15. | TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS |
(a) Transferability. Except as provided in Section 15(b) below, during a grantees lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable only by the grantee, or by the grantees legal representative or guardian in the event of the grantees incapacity. No Awards shall be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by a grantee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.
(b) Administrator Action. Notwithstanding Section 15(a), the Administrator, in its discretion, may provide either in the Award Certificate regarding a given Award or by subsequent written approval that such Award may be transferred. In such event, the grantee of an Award (who is an employee or director) may transfer his or her Award to his or her immediate family members, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, or to charitable organizations, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and the applicable Award. In no event may an Award be transferred by a grantee for value.
(c) Family Member. For purposes of Section 15(b), family member shall mean a grantees child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law,
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or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the grantees household (other than a tenant of the grantee), a trust in which these persons (or the grantee) have more than 50 percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the grantee) own more than 50 percent of the voting interests.
(d) Designation of Beneficiary. To the extent permitted by the Company, each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantees death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Administrator and shall not be effective until received by the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantees estate.
(e) Lockup Provision in an Initial Public Offering. If requested by the Company, a grantee shall not sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Awards, Units or shares of Stock issued in respect thereof (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act) held by him or her for such period following the effective date of the Initial Public Offering as the Company shall specify reasonably and in good faith. If requested by the underwriter engaged by the Company for the Initial Public Offering, each grantee shall execute a separate letter confirming his or her agreement to comply with this Section.
SECTION 16. | TAX WITHHOLDING |
(a) Payment by Grantee. Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company with respect to such income. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Companys obligation to deliver evidence of book entry (or stock certificates) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.
(b) Payment in Stock. Subject to approval by the Administrator, a grantee may elect to have the Companys minimum required tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due. The Administrator may also require Awards to be subject to mandatory share withholding up to the required withholding amount. For purposes of share withholding, the Fair Market Value of withheld shares shall be determined in the same manner as the value of Stock includible in income of the grantee.
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SECTION 17. | SECTION 409A AWARDS |
To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A (a 409A Award), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a grantee who is then considered a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantees separation from service, or (ii) the grantees death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.
SECTION 18. | TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC. |
(a) Termination of Employment. If the grantees employer ceases to be a Subsidiary, the grantee shall be deemed to have terminated employment for purposes of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
(b) For purposes of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment:
(i) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another; or
(ii) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employees right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing.
SECTION 19. | AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION |
The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holders consent. Except as provided in Section 3(b) or 3(c), without prior stockholder approval, in no event may the Administrator exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or effect the repricing of such Awards through cancellation and re-grants or cancellation of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash payment. The Board, in its discretion, may determine to make any 2015 Equity Incentive Plan amendments subject to approval by the Companys stockholders for purposes of complying with applicable stock exchange requirement, ensuring that Incentive Stock Options granted under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, or ensuring that compensation earned under Awards qualifies as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. Nothing in this Section 19, shall limit the Administrators authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(b) or 3(c).
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SECTION 20. | STATUS OF 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN |
With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a grantee, a grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Companys obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.
SECTION 21. | GENERAL PROVISIONS |
(a) No Distribution. The Administrator may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.
(b) Delivery of Stock Certificates. Stock certificates to grantees under this 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantees last known address on file with the Company. Uncertificated Stock shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a Stock transfer agent of the Company shall have given to the grantee by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantees last known address on file with the Company, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic book entry records). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates evidencing shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel (to the extent the Administrator deems such advice necessary or advisable), that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed, quoted or traded, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure such compliance. All Stock certificates delivered pursuant to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall be subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that an individual make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Administrator shall have the right to require any individual to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as the Administrator may reasonably determine is necessary to comply with applicable law or required to administer the exercise and/or delivery of Awards during the occurrence of a transaction described in Section 3(b) or 3(c).
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(c) Stockholder Rights. Until shares of Stock are deemed delivered in accordance with Section 21(b), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights of a stockholder will exist with respect to shares of Stock to be issued in connection with an Award, notwithstanding the exercise of a Stock Option or any other action by the grantee with respect to an Award; provided, however, that if the record date for a dividend on the Stock occurs after exercise of an option or after Stock otherwise should have been delivered to a grantee pursuant to the terms of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and an Award Agreement, such dividend will be delivered to the grantee promptly upon payment to the Companys stockholders generally.
(d) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in this 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of this 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.
(e) Trading Policy Restrictions. Option exercises and other Awards under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall be subject to the Companys insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.
(f) Clawback Policy. Awards under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall be subject to the Companys clawback policy, as in effect from time to time.
SECTION 22. | EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN |
This 2015 Equity Incentive Plan shall become effective on the date immediately preceding the date of pricing for the Companys Initial Public Offering, following stockholder approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan in accordance with applicable state law, the Companys bylaws and articles of incorporation, and applicable stock exchange rules. No grants of Stock Options and other Awards may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date and no grants of Incentive Stock Options may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the date the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan is approved by the Board.
SECTION 23. | GOVERNING LAW |
This 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, applied without regard to conflict of law principles.
DATE APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: JANUARY 26, 2015
DATE APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: JANUARY 26, 2015
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