EPAM Systems, Inc. 2025 Long Term Incentive Plan
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Summary
This agreement establishes the EPAM Systems, Inc. 2025 Long Term Incentive Plan, which was adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by stockholders. The plan is designed to motivate and reward employees and other contributors who are expected to play a significant role in the company's success. It outlines the types of awards that may be granted, eligibility, and key definitions such as "cause" for termination and "change of control." The plan sets the framework for granting options, stock, and other incentives, subject to specific terms and conditions.
EX-10.1 4 exhibit1012025epamsystemsi.htm EX-10.1 Document
Exhibit 10.1
EPAM Systems, Inc. 2025 Long Term Incentive Plan
EPAM SYSTEMS, INC. 2025 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MARCH 27, 2025
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 22, 2025
Section 1.Purpose. The purpose of the EPAM Systems, Inc. 2025 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to motivate and reward those employees and other individuals who are expected to contribute significantly to the success of EPAM Systems, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) to perform at the highest level and to further the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Section 2.Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Affiliate” means (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each case as determined by the Committee.
“Award” means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, RSU, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award or other Cash-Based Award granted under the Plan.
“Award Agreement” means any agreement, contract or other instrument or document (including in electronic form) evidencing any Award granted under the Plan, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a Participant.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
“Beneficiary” means a Person entitled to receive payments or other benefits or exercise rights that are available under the Plan in the event of the Participant’s death. If no such Person can be named or is named by a Participant, or if no Beneficiary designated by such Participant is eligible to receive payments or other benefits or exercise rights that are available under the Plan at the Participant’s death, such Participant’s Beneficiary shall be such Participant’s estate.
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Cause” means, with respect to any Participant, “cause” as defined in such Participant’s Employment Agreement, if any, or if not so defined, except as otherwise provided in such Participant’s Award Agreement, such Participant’s:
(i) having engaged in material misconduct, gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing in providing services to the Company or its Affiliates;
(ii) having engaged in conduct that he or she knew or reasonably should have known would be materially injurious to the Company or its Affiliates or would otherwise cause or could reasonably be expected to cause any material financial or reputational harm to the Company or any of its Affiliates;
(iii) having been convicted of, having entered a plea of nolo contendere to, or having entered a plea bargain or settlement admitting guilt for, (x) a felony or (y) any other criminal offense involving moral turpitude, fraud or, in the course of the performance of the Participant’s service to the Company, material dishonesty;
(iv) unlawful use or possession of illegal drugs on the Company’s premises or while performing the Participant’s duties and responsibilities to the Company;
(v) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation, in each case, against the Company or any Affiliate;
(vi)having engaged in any action or omission that represents a material breach of any of the policies of the Company or any Affiliate, including any policies relating to discrimination or harassment; or
(vii)having engaged in any action or omission that represents a material breach of the Participant’s Employment Agreement or any other agreement between the Participant, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its Affiliates, on the other hand.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:
(i) any Person, other than an employee benefit plan or trust maintained by the Company, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
(ii) at any time during a period of 24 consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board and any new member of the Board whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of members of the Board; or
(iii) the consummation of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any holding company of the Company with any other corporation or entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or, if applicable, the ultimate parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power and total fair market value of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(iv) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in which any Person acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to 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.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if there is consummated any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the Shares immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions and (B) no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred upon the acquisition of additional control of the Company by any Person that is considered to effectively control the Company. In no event will a Change of Control be deemed to have occurred if any Participant is part of a “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act that effects a Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of any Award Agreement to the contrary, for any Award that provides for accelerated distribution on a Change of Control of amounts that constitute “deferred compensation” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder (“Section
409A”)), if the event that constitutes such Change of Control does not also constitute a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets (in either case, as defined in Section 409A), such amount shall not be distributed on such Change of Control but instead shall vest as of the date of such Change of Control and shall be paid on the scheduled payment date specified in the applicable Award Agreement, except to the extent that earlier distribution would not result in the Participant who holds such Award incurring interest or additional tax under Section 409A.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules, regulations and guidance thereunder. Any reference to a provision in the Code shall include any successor provision thereto.
“Committee” means the compensation committee of the Board or such other committee as may be designated by the Board. If the Board does not designate the Committee, references herein to the “Committee” shall refer to the Board.
“Consultant” means any individual, including an advisor, who is providing services to the Company or any Affiliate or who has accepted an offer of service or consultancy from the Company or any Subsidiary.
“Director” means any member of the Company’s Board of Directors.
“Disability” means, with respect to any Participant, “disability” as defined in such Participant’s Employment Agreement, if any, or if not so defined, except as otherwise provided in such Participant’s Award Agreement:
(i) a permanent and total disability that entitles the Participant to disability income payments under any long-term disability plan or policy provided by the Company under which the Participant is covered, as such plan or policy is then in effect; or
(ii) if the Participant is not covered under a long-term disability plan or policy provided by the Company at such time for whatever reason, then the term “Disability” means a “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and, in this case, the existence of any such Disability will be certified by a physician acceptable to the Company.
“Effective Date” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 15.
“Employee” means any individual employed by the Company or any Subsidiary or any prospective employee or officer who has accepted an offer of employment from the Company or any Subsidiary, with the status of employment determined based upon such factors as are deemed appropriate by the Committee in its discretion, subject to any requirements of the Code or the applicable laws.
“Employment Agreement” means any employment, severance, consulting, restrictive covenant or similar agreement between the Company or any of its Affiliates and a Participant.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules, regulations and guidance thereunder. Any reference to a provision in the Exchange Act shall include any successor provision thereto.
“Fair Market Value” means (i) with respect to Shares, the closing price of a Share on the date of grant (or, if there is no reported sale on such date of grant, on the last preceding date on which any reported sale occurred) on the principal stock market or exchange on which the Shares are quoted or traded, or if Shares are not so quoted or traded, fair market value of a Share as determined by the Committee, and (ii) with respect to any property other than Shares, the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee.
“Good Reason” means, with respect to any Participant, “good reason” as defined in such Participant’s Employment Agreement, if any, or if not so defined, except as otherwise provided in such Participant’s Award Agreement, a material reduction by the Company or any of its Affiliates of the Participant’s base salary, other than any such reduction that applies generally to similarly situated employees of the Company, without such Participant’s consent; provided that, in each case, (A) the Participant shall provide the Company with written notice specifying the circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within 90 days following the first occurrence of such circumstances, (B) if possible, the Company shall have 60 days following receipt of such notice to cure such circumstances, and (C) if the Company has not cured such circumstances within such 60-day period, the Participant shall terminate his or her employment or service not later than 60 days after the end of such 60-day period.
“Incentive Stock Option” means an option representing the right to purchase Shares from the Company, granted pursuant to Section 6, that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
“Intrinsic Value” with respect to an Option or SAR Award means (i) the excess, if any, of the price or implied price per Share in a Change of Control or other event over (ii) the exercise or hurdle price of such Award multiplied by (iii) the number of Shares covered by such Award.
“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an option representing the right to purchase Shares from the Company, granted pursuant to Section 6, that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
“Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
“Other Cash-Based Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10, including cash awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of specified performance criteria or otherwise as permitted under the Plan.
“Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10 that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Shares or factors that may influence the value of Shares, including convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Shares, purchase rights for Shares, dividend rights or dividend equivalent rights or Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or business units thereof or any other factors designated by the Committee.
“Participant” means the recipient of an Award granted under the Plan.
“Performance Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 9.
“Performance Period” means the period established by the Committee at the time any Performance Award is granted or at any time thereafter during which any performance goals specified by the Committee with respect to such Award are measured.
“Person” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.
“Predecessor Plan” means the EPAM Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Option Plan, the EPAM Systems, Inc. 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan and the EPAM Systems, Inc. 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan.
“Restricted Stock” means any Share subject to certain restrictions and forfeiture conditions, granted pursuant to Section 8.
“RSU” means a contractual right granted pursuant to Section 8 that is denominated in Shares. Each RSU represents a right to receive the value of one Share (or a percentage of such value) in cash, Shares or a combination thereof. Awards of RSUs may include the right to receive dividend equivalents.
“SAR” means any right granted pursuant to Section 7 to receive upon exercise by a Participant or settlement, in cash, Shares or a combination thereof, the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise or settlement over (ii) the exercise or hurdle price of the right on the date of grant, or if granted in connection with an Option, on the date of grant of the Option.
“Shares” means shares of the Company’s common stock.
“Subsidiary” means an entity of which the Company directly or indirectly holds all or a majority of the value of the outstanding equity interests of such entity or a majority of the voting power with respect to the voting securities of such entity. Whether employment by or service with a Subsidiary is included within the scope of the Plan shall be determined by the Committee.
“Substitute Award” means an Award granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, an outstanding award previously granted by a company or other business acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.
“Termination of Service” means, in the case of a Participant who is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, cessation of the employment relationship such that the Participant is no longer an employee of the Company or Affiliate, or, in the case of a Participant who is an independent contractor or other service provider, the date the performance of services for the Company or an Affiliate has ended; provided, however, that in the case of an employee, the transfer of employment from the Company to an Affiliate, from an Affiliate to the Company, from one Affiliate to another Affiliate or, unless the Committee determines otherwise, the cessation of employee status but the continuation of the performance of services for the Company or an Affiliate as a Director of the Board or an independent contractor shall not be deemed a cessation of service that would constitute a Termination of Service; provided, further, that a Termination of Service will be deemed to occur for a Participant employed by an Affiliate when an Affiliate ceases to be an Affiliate unless such Participant’s employment continues with the Company or another Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award subject to Section 409A (and not exempt therefrom), a Termination of Service occurs when a Participant experiences a “separation of service” (as such term is defined under Section 409A).
Section 3.Eligibility.
(a)Any Employee, Consultant or any other individual who provides services to the Company or any Affiliate shall be eligible to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, to the extent an offer of an Award or a receipt of such Award is permitted by applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations.
(b)Holders of options and other types of awards granted by a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines are eligible for grants of Substitute Awards under the Plan to the extent permitted under applicable regulations of any stock exchange on which the Company is listed.
Section 4.Administration.
(a)Administration of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board. All decisions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties, including the Company, its stockholders and Participants and any Beneficiaries thereof. The Committee may issue rules and regulations for administration of the Plan. It shall meet at such times and places as it may determine. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards or administer the Plan. In any such case, the Board shall have all of the authority and responsibility granted to the Committee herein.
(b)Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by applicable law, including under Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law , the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company some or all of its authority under the Plan, including the authority to grant Options and SARs or other
Awards in the form of Share rights, except that such delegation shall not be applicable to any Award for a person then covered by Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the Committee may delegate to one or more committees of the Board (which may consist of solely one Director) some or all of its authority under the Plan, including the authority to grant all types of Awards, in accordance with the law.
(c)Authority of Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee (or its delegate) shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards (including Substitute Awards) to be granted to each Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in connection with) Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award and prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant; (v) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, or any combination thereof, or canceled, forfeited or suspended, and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee; (vii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents, trustees, brokers, depositories and advisors and determine such terms of their engagement as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan and due compliance with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations; (ix) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and due compliance with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations and (x) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect.
Section 5.Shares Available for Awards.
(a)Following the Effective Date, no additional equity awards will be granted under the Company’s 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan. From and after the Effective Date, all outstanding stock awards granted under the Predecessor Plans shall remain subject to the terms of the applicable Predecessor Plan; provided, however, any shares subject to outstanding awards granted under the Predecessor Plans that expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise or would otherwise return to the applicable Predecessor Plan’s share reserve (the “Returning Shares”) shall instead become available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted hereunder.
(b)Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5(d) and except for Substitute Awards, the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan shall not exceed in the aggregate the sum of (i) 2,500,000 Shares plus (ii) an additional number of shares consisting of the Returning Shares, if any, as such shares become available from time to time.
(c)Any Shares subject to an Award including any award under the Predecessor Plans after the Effective Date (other than a Substitute Award), that expires, is canceled, forfeited or otherwise terminates without the delivery of such Shares, including any Shares subject to an Award to the extent that Award is settled without the issuance of Shares, shall again be, or shall become, available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares subject to an Award shall not again be available for issuance under the Plan if such Shares are tendered or withheld in payment of any grant, purchase, exercise or hurdle price of an Award or taxes related to an Award.
(d)In the event that the Committee determines that, as a result of any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares or other securities), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or
other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of Shares pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affecting the Shares, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall adjust equitably any or all of:
(i)the number and type of Shares (or other securities) which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, including the aggregate limit specified in Section 5(b);
(ii)the number and type of Shares (or other securities) subject to outstanding Awards; and
(iii)the grant, purchase, exercise or hurdle price with respect to any Award or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award denominated in Shares shall always be a whole number.
(e)Any Shares delivered pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or Shares acquired by the Company.
(f)Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5(d), the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall be equal to 2,500,000.
Section 6.Options. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine:
(a)The exercise price per Share under an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that, except in the case of Substitute Awards, such exercise price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option.
(b)The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant of such Option.
(c)The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option becomes vested and exercisable in whole or in part. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that an “in-the-money” Option shall be automatically exercised on its expiration date.
(d)The Committee shall determine the method or methods by which, and the form or forms, including cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, broker assisted cashless exercise or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the exercise price of the Shares as to which the Option shall be exercised, in which payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made.
(e)No grant of Options may be accompanied by a tandem award of dividend equivalents or provide for dividends, dividend equivalents or other distributions to be paid on such Options (except as provided under Section 5(d)).
(f)The terms of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or of a parent or subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424(a) of the Code). Notwithstanding any designation as an Incentive Stock Option, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares subject to a Participant’s incentive stock options that become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. For purposes of the foregoing, Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and
the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time of grant. No Incentive Stock Options may be issued more than ten years following the earlier of (i) the date of adoption or (ii) the most recent date of approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.
Section 7.Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine:
(a)SARs may be granted under the Plan to Participants either alone (“freestanding”) or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan (“tandem”) and may, but need not, relate to a specific Option granted under Section 6.
(b)The exercise or hurdle price per Share under a SAR shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that, except in the case of Substitute Awards, such exercise or hurdle price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such SAR.
(c)The term of each SAR shall be fixed by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant of such SAR.
(d)The Committee shall determine the time or times at which a SAR may be exercised or settled in whole or in part.
(e)Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of Shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the exercise date over the exercise or hurdle price of such SAR. The Company shall pay such excess in cash, in Shares valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.
(f)No grant of SARs may be accompanied by a tandem award of dividend equivalents or provide for dividends, dividend equivalents or other distributions to be paid on such SARs.
Section 8.Restricted Stock and RSUs. The Committee is authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and RSUs to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine:
(1)The Award Agreement shall specify the vesting schedule and, with respect to RSUs, the delivery schedule (which may include deferred delivery later than the vesting date).
(2)Shares of Restricted Stock and RSUs shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose (including any limitation on the right to vote a Share of Restricted Stock or the right to receive any dividend, dividend equivalent or other right), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.
(3)Any share of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates. In the event any stock certificate is issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan, such certificate shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.
(4)The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that an Award of Restricted Stock is conditioned upon the Participant making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall be required to file promptly a copy of such election with the Company.
(5)The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide that Restricted Stock and RSUs shall earn dividends or dividend equivalents, as applicable. Such dividends or dividend equivalents shall be in the same
amount as the dividend the Participant would have received had the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock or RSUs been distributed to the Participant as of immediately prior to the record date of such dividend. Such dividends or dividend equivalents may be credited to an account maintained on the books of the Company. Any payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents will be subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations as the Committee may establish, from time to time, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, reinvestment in additional Shares or Share equivalents; provided, however, if the payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents is in respect of a Restricted Stock or RSUs that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then the payment or crediting of such dividends or dividend equivalents shall conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and such requirements shall be specified in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends or dividend equivalents (i) shall have the same vesting dates and shall be paid in accordance with the same terms as the Award to which they relate and (ii) with respect to any Restricted Stock or RSUs subject to the achievement of performance criteria, shall not be paid unless and until the relevant performance criteria have been satisfied, and then only to the extent determined by the Committee, as specified in the Award Agreement.
Section 9.Performance Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine:
(1)Performance Awards may be denominated and/or settled as a cash amount, number of Shares or a combination thereof and are Awards which may be earned upon achievement or satisfaction of performance conditions specified by the Committee. In addition, the Committee may specify that any other Award shall constitute a Performance Award by conditioning the right of a Participant to exercise the Award or have it settled, and the timing thereof, upon achievement or satisfaction of such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the performance goals to be achieved during any Performance Period, the length of any Performance Period, the amount of any Performance Award granted and the amount of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.
(2)Settlement of Performance Awards shall be in cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, or any combination thereof, in the discretion of the Committee. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which, and the extent to which, Performance Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of a Participant’s Termination of Service.
(3)The Committee may, in its discretion, increase or reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with a Performance Award.
(4)The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide that Performance Awards shall earn dividends or dividend equivalents, as applicable. Such dividends or dividend equivalents shall be in the same amount as the dividend the Participant would have received had the Shares underlying the Performance Awards been distributed to the Participant as of immediately prior to the record date of such dividend. Such dividends or dividend equivalents may be credited to an account maintained on the books of the Company. Any payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents will be subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations as the Committee may establish, from time to time, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, reinvestment in additional Shares or Share equivalents; provided, however, if the payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents is in respect of a Performance Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then the payment or crediting of such dividends or dividend equivalents shall conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and such requirements shall be specified in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends or dividend equivalents (i) shall have the same vesting dates and shall be paid in accordance with the same terms as the Award to which they relate and (ii) shall not be paid unless and until the
relevant performance criteria have been satisfied, and then only to the extent determined by the Committee, as specified in the Award Agreement.
Section 10. Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant Other Cash-Based Awards and Other-Share Based Awards. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Shares delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 10 shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods and in such forms, including cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, or any combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 10. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide that Other Cash-Based Awards and Other-Share Based Awards shall earn dividends or dividend equivalents, as applicable. Such dividends or dividend equivalents shall be in the same amount as the dividend the Participant would have received had the Shares underlying the Other Cash-Based Awards and Other-Share Based Awards been distributed to the Participant as of immediately prior to the record date of such dividend. Such dividends or dividend equivalents may be credited to an account maintained on the books of the Company. Any payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents will be subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations as the Committee may establish, from time to time, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, reinvestment in additional Shares or Share equivalents; provided, however, if the payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents is in respect of an Other Cash-Based Award or Other-Share Based Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then the payment or crediting of such dividends or dividend equivalents shall conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and such requirements shall be specified in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends or dividend equivalents (i) shall have the same vesting dates and shall be paid in accordance with the same terms as the Award to which they relate and (ii) with respect to any Other Cash-Based Awards and Other-Share Based Awards subject to the achievement of performance criteria, shall not be paid unless and until the relevant performance criteria have been satisfied, and then only to the extent determined by the Committee, as specified in the Award Agreement.
Section 11. Effect of Termination of Service or a Change of Control on Awards.
(1)The Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine in any individual case, the circumstances in which, and the extent to which, an Award may be exercised, settled, vested, paid or forfeited, including by way of repurchase by the Company at par value, in the event of a Participant’s Termination of Service prior to the end of a Performance Period or exercise or settlement of such Award.
(2)In the event of a Change of Control, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, take any one or more of the following actions with respect to any outstanding Award, which need not be uniform with respect to all Participants and/or Awards:
(i)continuation or assumption of such Award by the Company (if it is the surviving corporation) or by the successor or surviving entity or its parent;
(ii)substitution or replacement of such Award by the successor or surviving entity or its parent with cash, securities, rights or other property to be paid or issued, as the case may be, by the successor or surviving entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), with substantially the same terms and value as such Award (including any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto);
(iii)acceleration of the vesting of such Award and the lapse of any restrictions thereon and, in the case of an Option or SAR Award, acceleration of the right to exercise such Award during a specified period (and the termination of such Option or SAR Award without payment of any consideration therefor to the extent such Award is not timely exercised), in each case, either (A) immediately prior to or as of the date of the Change of Control, (B) upon a Participant’s involuntary Termination of Service (including upon a termination of the Participant’s employment by the Company
(or a successor corporation or its parent) without Cause, by a Participant for Good Reason and/or due to a Participant’s death or Disability) on or within a specified period following the Change of Control or (C) upon the failure of the successor or surviving entity (or its parent) to continue or assume such Award; and
(iv)cancellation of such Award in consideration of a payment, with the form, amount and timing of such payment determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject to the following: (A) such payment shall be made in cash, securities, rights and/or other property; (B) the amount of such payment shall equal the value of such Award, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided that, in the case of an Option or SAR Award, if such value equals the Intrinsic Value of such Award, such value shall be deemed to be valid; provided, further, that, if the Intrinsic Value of an Option or SAR Award is equal to or less than zero, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for the cancellation of such Award without payment of any consideration therefor (for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Change of Control, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate any Option or SAR Awards for which the exercise or hurdle price is equal to or exceeds the per Share value of the consideration to be paid in the Change of Control transaction without payment of consideration therefor); and (C) such payment shall be made promptly following such Change of Control or on a specified date or dates following such Change of Control; provided that the timing of such payment shall comply with Section 409A.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change in Control, for any award that is subject to performance criteria (including any Performance Awards), the level of performance shall be determined at the greater of (i) target performance or (ii) actual performance as determined on the date of the Change of Control.
Section 12. General Provisions Applicable to Awards.
(1)Awards shall be granted for such cash or other consideration, if any, as the Committee determines; provided that in no event shall Awards be issued for less than such minimal consideration as may be required by applicable law.
(2)Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with any other Award or any award granted under any other plan of the Company. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards, or in addition to or in tandem with awards granted under any other plan of the Company, may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
(3)Subject to the terms of the Plan, payments or transfers to be made by the Company upon the grant, exercise or settlement of an Award may be made in the form of cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time of grant, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments or on a deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of dividend equivalents in respect of installment or deferred payments.
(4)Except as may be permitted by the Committee (except with respect to Incentive Stock Options) or as specifically provided in an Award Agreement, (i) no Award and no right under any Award shall be assignable, alienable, saleable or transferable by a Participant other than by will, laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to Section 12(e), (ii) during a Participant’s lifetime, each Award, and each right under any Award, shall be exercisable only by such Participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by such Participant’s guardian or legal representative and (iii) no Award may be transferred to a third party financial institution for value. The provisions of this Section 12(d) shall not apply to any Award that has been fully exercised or settled, as the case may be, and shall not preclude forfeiture of an Award in accordance with the terms thereof.
(5)A Participant may designate a Beneficiary or change a previous Beneficiary designation at such times prescribed by the Committee, in its sole discretion, by using forms and following procedures approved or accepted by the Committee for that purpose.
(6)All certificates for Shares and/or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise or settlement thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock market or exchange upon which such Shares or other securities are then quoted, traded or listed, and any applicable securities laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(7)The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Shares under the Plan or remove restrictions from Shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all Award conditions have been met or removed to the Committee’s satisfaction, (ii) as determined by the Committee, all other legal matters regarding the issuance and delivery of such Shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy any applicable laws. The Company’s inability to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which the Committee determines is necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares, will relieve the Company of any liability for failing to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained.
(8)The Committee may impose restrictions on any Award with respect to non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality and other restrictive covenants, or requirements to comply with minimum share ownership guidelines, as it deems necessary or appropriate in its sole discretion.
Section 13. Amendments and Termination.
(1)Amendment or Termination of Plan. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan, the Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without (i) stockholder approval if such approval is required by applicable law or the rules of the stock market or exchange, if any, on which the Shares are principally quoted or traded or (ii) the consent of the affected Participant, if such action would materially adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any outstanding Award, except (x) to the extent any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination is made to cause the Plan to comply with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations or (y) to impose any “clawback” or recoupment provisions on any Awards in accordance with Section 18 of the Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the Committee may amend the Plan, or create sub-plans, in such manner as may be necessary to enable the Plan to achieve its stated purposes in any jurisdiction in a tax-efficient manner and in compliance with local rules and regulations.
(2)Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, each Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such action, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
(3)Terms of Awards. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, without the consent of any relevant Participant or holder or Beneficiary of an Award; provided, however, that, no such action shall materially adversely affect the rights of any affected Participant or holder or Beneficiary under any Award theretofore granted under the Plan, except (x) to the extent any such action is made to cause the Plan to comply with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations, or (y) to impose any “clawback” or recoupment provisions on any
Awards in accordance with Section 18 of the Plan. The Committee shall be authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of events (including the events described in Section 5(d)) affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
(4)No Repricing. Except as provided in Section 5(d), the Committee may not, without shareholder approval, seek to effect any re-pricing of any previously granted “underwater” Option, SAR or similar Award by: (i) amending or modifying the terms of the Option, SAR or similar Award to lower the exercise price; (ii) cancelling the underwater Option, SAR or similar Award and granting either (A) replacement Options, SARs or similar Awards having a lower exercise price or (B) Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Awards or Other Share-Based Awards in exchange; or (iii) cancelling or repurchasing the underwater Options, SARs or similar Awards for cash or other securities. An Option, SAR or similar Award will be deemed to be “underwater” at any time when the Fair Market Value of the Shares covered by such Award is less than the exercise price of the Award.
Section 14. Miscellaneous.
(1)No employee, Participant or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of employees, Participants or holders or Beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient. Any Award granted under the Plan shall be a one-time Award that does not constitute a promise of future grants. The Company, in its sole discretion, maintains the right to make available future grants under the Plan.
(2)The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of, or to continue to provide services to, the Company or any Affiliate. Further, the Company or the applicable Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant, free from any liability, or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement or in any other agreement binding the parties. The receipt of any Award under the Plan is not intended to confer any rights on the receiving Participant except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(3)No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any severance, pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
(4)Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
(5)The Company shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted or any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, or any combination thereof) of applicable withholding taxes due in respect of an Award, its exercise or settlement or any payment or transfer under such Award or under the Plan and to take such other action (including providing for elective payment of such amounts in cash or Shares by such Participant) as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes; provided that if the Committee allows the withholding or surrender of Shares to satisfy a Participant’s tax withholding obligations, the Company shall not allow Shares to be withheld in an amount that exceeds the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes.
(6)If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award Agreement, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
(7)Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and a Participant or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.
(8)No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash or other securities shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares, or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.
(9)Awards may be granted to Participants who are non-United States nationals or employed or providing services outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Participants who are employed or providing services in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to recognize differences in local law, tax policy or custom. The Committee also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Company’s obligation with respect to tax equalization for Participants on assignments outside their home country.
Section 15. Effective Date of the Plan. The Plan shall be effective as of the date of stockholder approval, which is anticipated to be May 22, 2025 (the “Effective Date”).
Section 16. Term of the Plan. No Award shall be granted under the Plan after the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth-year anniversary of the Effective Date; (ii) the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan have been issued; or (iii) the Board terminates the Plan in accordance with Section 13(a). However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore granted may extend beyond such date, and the authority of the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue or terminate any such Award, or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award, and the authority of the Board to amend the Plan, shall extend beyond such date.
Section 17. Section 409A of the Code. With respect to Awards subject to Section 409A, the Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 409A, and the Plan shall be operated accordingly. If any provision of the Plan or any term or condition of any Award would otherwise frustrate or conflict with this intent, the provision, term or condition shall be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid this conflict. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if the Board considers a Participant to be a “specified employee” under Section 409A at the time of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A), and any amount hereunder is “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A, any distribution of such amount that otherwise would be made to such Participant with respect to an Award as a result of such “separation from service” shall not be made until the date that is six months after such “separation from service,” except to the extent that earlier distribution would not result in such Participant’s incurring interest or additional tax under Section 409A. If an Award includes a “series of installment payments” (within the meaning of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations), a Participant’s right to such series of installment payments shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments and not as a right to a single payment, and if an Award includes “dividend equivalents” (within the meaning of Section 1.409A-3(e)
of the Treasury Regulations), a Participant’s right to such dividend equivalents shall be treated separately from the right to other amounts under the Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Plan or any Award Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed, and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.
Section 18. Cancellation or “Clawback” of Awards.
(1)The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that a 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, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include a Termination of Service with or without Cause (and, in the case of any Cause that is resulting from an indictment or other non-final determination, the Committee may provide for such Award to be held in escrow or abeyance until a final resolution of the matters related to such event occurs, at which time the Award shall either be reduced, cancelled or forfeited (as provided in such Award Agreement) or remain in effect, depending on the outcome), violation of material policies, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants, or requirements to comply with minimum share ownership requirements, that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its Affiliates.
(2)The Committee shall have full authority to implement any policies and procedures necessary to comply with Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any rules promulgated thereunder and any other regulatory regimes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Awards granted under the Plan (including any amounts or benefits arising from such Awards) shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment arrangements or policies the Company has in place from time to time, and the Committee may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and stock exchange rules or by any applicable Company policy or arrangement, and shall, to the extent required, cancel or require reimbursement of any Awards granted to the Participant or any Shares issued or cash received upon vesting, exercise or settlement of any such Awards or sale of Shares underlying such Awards.
Section 19. Successors and Assigns. The terms of the Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor entity, including any successor entity contemplated by Section 11(b).
Section 20. Data Protection. In connection with the Plan, the Company may need to process personal data provided by the Participant to the Company or its Affiliates, third-party service providers or others acting on the Company’s behalf. Examples of such personal data may include, without limitation, the Participant’s name, account information, social security number, tax number and contact information. The Company may process such personal data in its legitimate business interests for all purposes relating to the operation and performance of the Plan, including but not limited to:
(1)administering and maintaining Participant records;
(2)providing the services described in the Plan;
(3)providing information to future purchasers or merger partners of the Company or any Affiliate, or the business in which such Participant works; and
(4)responding to public authorities, court orders and legal investigations and complying with law, as applicable.
The Company may share the Participant’s personal data with (i) Affiliates, (ii) trustees of any employee benefit trust, (iii) registrars, (iv) brokers, (v) third-party administrators of the Plan, (vi) third-party service providers acting on the Company’s behalf to provide the services described above or (vii) regulators and others, as required by law.
If necessary, the Company may transfer the Participant’s personal data to any of the parties mentioned above in a country or territory that may not provide the same protection for the information as the Participant’s home country. Any transfer of the Participant’s personal data to recipients in a third country will be made subject to appropriate safeguards or applicable derogations provided for under applicable law. Further information on those safeguards or derogations can be obtained through the contact set forth in the Employee Privacy Notice (the “Employee Privacy Notice”) that previously has been provided by the Company or its applicable Affiliate to the Participant. The terms set forth in this Section 20 are supplementary to the terms set forth in the Employee Privacy Notice (which, among other things, further describes the rights of the Participant with respect to the Participant’s personal data); provided that, in the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 20 and the terms of the Employee Privacy Notice, the terms of this Section 20 shall govern and control in relation to the Plan and any personal data of the Participant to the extent collected in connection therewith.
The Company will keep personal data collected in connection with the Plan for as long as necessary to operate the Plan or as necessary to comply with any legal or regulatory requirements.
A Participant has a right to (i) request access to and rectification or erasure of the personal data provided, (ii) request the restriction of the processing of his or her personal data, (iii) object to the processing of his or her personal data, (iv) receive the personal data provided to the Company and transmit such data to another party and (v) to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
Section 21. Governing Law. The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without application of the conflicts of law principles thereof.