FUSION TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN EFFECTIVE DATE: October 28, 2016 APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: October 28, 2016 TERMINATION DATE: October 27, 2026 ARTICLE 1 Establishment, Purpose, Effective Date, ExpirationDate

 

 

 

1.1           Establishment.  Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby establishes the Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan will supersede and replace the Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc. 2009 Stock Option Plan, effective as of December 2009 (the “2009 Plan”). No awards will be made pursuant to the 2009 Plan on or after the Effective Date; provided, however, that the 2009 Plan shall remain in effect until all awards granted under the 2009 Plan have been exercised, forfeited, canceled, expired or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of such grants.

 

1.2           Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by enhancing the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified persons to perform services for the Company, by providing incentives to such persons to put forth maximum efforts for the Company and by rewarding persons who contribute to the achievement of the Company’s economic objectives. To further these objectives, the Plan provides for the grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Grants, Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Share Units, and Performance Cash. The Plan also permits the grant of Awards that qualify for the “performance-based compensation” exception to the limitations on the deduction of compensation imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. At the same time, the Plan permits the Committee, in the exercise of its discretion, to grant Awards to Covered Employees that do not qualify for the “performance-based compensation” exception.

 

1.3           Effective Date. The Plan will become effective on the date it is approved by the stockholders at the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting (the “Effective Date”).

 

1.4           Expiration Date. The Plan will expire on, and no Award may be granted under the Plan after, the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Expiration Date”). Any Awards that are outstanding on the Expiration Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

 

 

2.1           Glossary. When a word or phrase appears in this Plan document with the initial letter capitalized, and the word or phrase does not commence a sentence, the word or phrase will generally be given the meaning ascribed to it in Article 1 or in the attached Glossary, which is incorporated into and is part of the Plan. All of these key terms are listed in the Glossary. Whenever these key terms are used, they will be given the defined meaning unless a clearly different meaning is required by the context.

 

2.2           Construction. The masculine gender, where appearing in the Plan, shall include the feminine gender (and vice versa), and the singular shall include the plural, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. If any provision of this Plan is determined to be for any reason invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

 

 

 

3.1           General Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in this Plan include all employees, officers, Non-Employee Directors of, and Consultants to, the Company or any Affiliate. Awards may also be granted to prospective employees or Non-Employee Directors but no portion of any such Award will vest, become exercisable, be issued, or become effective prior to the date on which such individual begins to provide services to the Company or its Affiliates.

 

3.2           Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from among all eligible individuals, those to whom Awards will be granted and will determine the nature and amount of each Award.

 

 

4.1           General. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee or, with respect to individuals who are Non-Employee Directors, the Board. All references in the Plan to the “Committee” shall refer to the Committee or Board, as applicable. The Committee, by majority action thereof, is authorized to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan, to provide for conditions and assurances deemed necessary or advisable to protect the interests of the Company, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan, but only to the extent not contrary to the express provisions of the Plan. Determinations, interpretations, or other actions made or taken by the Committee in good faith pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes of the Plan.

 

4.2           Committee Responsibilities. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to: (a) designate the Participants who are entitled to receive Awards under the Plan; (b) determine the types of Awards and the times when Awards will be granted; (c) determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of shares of Stock to which an Award will relate; (d) determine the terms and conditions of any Award, including, but not limited to, the purchase price or exercise price or base value, the grant price, the period(s) during which such Awards shall be exercisable (whether in whole or in part); (e) any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of restrictions or limitations, and accelerations or waivers thereof, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee determines; provided, however, that except in the case of a Change in Control, the Committee shall not have the authority to accelerate the vesting or waive the forfeiture restrictions on any Performance-Based Award; (f) determine whether, to what extent, and in what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price or purchase price of an Award may be paid in cash, Stock, or other Awards, or other property, or whether an Award may be canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered; (g) prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be the same for each Participant; (h) decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award; (i) interpret the terms of, and determine any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan or any Award Agreement; and (j) make all other decisions or determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan. The Committee shall also have the authority to modify existing Awards to the extent that such modification is within the power and authority of the Committee as set forth in the Plan.

 

4.3           Decisions Final. The Committee shall have the authority to interpret the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, any Award Agreement, and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding and conclusive on all parties. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan.

 

 

 

5.1           Number of Shares.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.4, the aggregate number of shares of Stock reserved and available for grant pursuant to the Plan shall be an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of our shares of common stock outstanding from time-to-time on a fully-diluted basis, plus shares from any award granted under the 2009 Plan that terminates, expires or lapses for any reason in the future. In addition, the 101,749 shares not granted under the 2009 Plan will be available for grant under this Plan. The shares of Stock delivered pursuant to any Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized by unissued Stock, treasury Stock not reserved for any other purposes, or Stock purchased on the open market.

 

5.2           Share Counting. The following rules shall apply solely for purposes of determining the number of shares of Stock available for grant under the Plan at any given time:

 

(a)           In the event any Award granted under the Plan, or any award outstanding under the 2009 Plan after the Effective Date is terminated, expired, forfeited, or canceled for any reason, the number of shares of Stock subject to such Award will again be available for grant under the Plan (i.e., any prior charge against the limit set forth in Section 5.1 shall be reversed).

 

(b)           If shares of Stock are not delivered in connection with an Award because the Award may only be settled in cash rather than in Stock, no shares of Stock shall be counted against the limit set forth in Section 5.1. If any Award may be settled in cash or Stock, the rules set forth in Section 5.2(a) shall apply until the Award is settled, at which time the underlying shares of Stock will be added back to the shares available for grant pursuant to Section 5.1 but only if the Award is settled in cash.

 

(c)           The exercise of a stock-settled SAR or broker-assisted “cashless” exercise of an Option (or a portion thereof) will reduce the number of shares available for grant under Section 5.1 by the entire number of shares of Stock subject to that SAR or Option (or applicable portion thereof), even though a smaller number of shares of Stock will be issued upon such an exercise.

 

(d)           Shares of Stock tendered to pay the exercise price of an Option or tendered, withheld or otherwise relinquished by a Participant to satisfy a tax withholding obligation arising in connection with an Award will not again become Stock available for grant under the Plan. Moreover, shares of Stock purchased on the open market with cash proceeds generated by the exercise of an Option will not increase or replenish the number of shares available for grant under Section 5.1.

 

(e)           If the provisions of this Section 5.2 are inconsistent with the requirements of any regulations issued pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, the provisions of such regulations shall control over the provisions of this Section 5.2, but only as this Section 5.2 relates to Incentive Stock Options.

 

(f)           The Committee may adopt such other reasonable rules and procedures as it deems to be appropriate for determining the number of shares of Stock that are available for grant under Section 5.1.

 

5.3           Award Limits. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.4:

 

(a)           The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued as Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall be the same numeric limit set forth in Section 5.1.

 

(b)           The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be granted to any one Participant during any 12-month period with respect to one or more Awards shall be 1,000,000.

 

 

(c)           The maximum Performance Cash Award payable for any 12-month Performance Period to any one Participant is $1,000,000. If the Performance Period exceeds 12 months, the dollar limit expressed in the preceding sentence shall be reduced or increased proportionately.

 

(d)           The aggregate Grant Date Fair Market Value of Awards granted to any one Participant who is a Non-Employee Director during any one 12-month period with respect to one or more Awards shall be $500,000.

 

5.4           Adjustments in Capitalization. In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of Stock by reason of a Stock dividend or split, recapitalization, liquidation, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar corporate change, the Committee shall make a proportionate adjustment in: (a) the number and class of shares of Stock made available for grant pursuant to Section 5.1; (b) the number of shares of Stock set forth in Section 5.3, 11.9, and any other similar numeric limit expressed in the Plan; (c) the number and class of and/or price of shares of Stock subject to then outstanding Awards; (d) subject to the limitations imposed on Performance-Based Awards, the performance targets or other goals applicable to any outstanding Awards; or (e) any other terms of an Award that are affected by the event. Moreover, in the event of such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion may provide in substitution for any or all outstanding awards under the Plan such alternative consideration (including cash) as it, in good faith, may determine to be equitable under the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of all Awards so replaced. Any action taken pursuant to this Section 5.4 shall be taken in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, in accordance with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

5.5           Replacement Awards. In the event of any corporate transaction in which the Company or an Affiliate acquires a corporate entity which, at the time of such transaction, maintains an equity compensation plan pursuant to which awards of stock options, SARs, restricted stock, or any other form of equity based compensation are then outstanding (the “Acquired Plan”), the Committee may make Awards to assume, substitute or convert such outstanding awards in such manner as may be determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee; provided, however, that the number of shares of Stock subject to any Award shall always be a whole number by rounding any fractional share to the nearest whole share. Options or SARs issued pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall not be subject to the requirement that the exercise price of such Award not be less than the Fair Market Value of Stock on the date the Award is granted. Shares used in connection with an Award granted in substitution for an award outstanding under an Acquired Plan under this Section 5.5 shall not be counted against the number of shares of Stock available for grant under Section 5.1. Any shares of Stock authorized and available for issuance under the Acquired Plan shall, subject to adjustment as described in Section 5.4, be available for use in making Awards under this Plan with respect to persons eligible under such Acquired Plan, by virtue of the Company’s assumption of such Acquired Plan, consistent with Nasdaq Listing Rules (or rules of any other exchange upon which the Stock is then traded), as such rules may be amended or replaced from time to time.

 

5.6           Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to the Plan. Unless the Committee specifies otherwise in the Award Agreement, or pursuant to any policy adopted by the Committee, cash will be given in lieu of fractional shares. In the event of adjustment as provided in Section 5.4 or the issuance of replacement awards as provided in Section 5.5, the total number of shares of Stock subject to any affected Award shall always be a whole number by rounding any fractional share to the nearest whole share.

 

 

6.1           Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Options to one or more Participants upon such terms and conditions and in such amounts, as shall be determined by the Committee. Options are also subject to the following additional terms and conditions:

 

(a)           Exercise Price.  No Option shall be granted at an exercise price that is less than the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the Grant Date.

 

 

(b)           Exercise of Option.  Options shall be exercisable at such times and in such manner, and shall be subject to such restrictions or conditions, as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant.

 

(c)           Term of Option. Each Option shall expire at such time as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that no Option shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary the Grant Date.

 

(d)           Payment.  The exercise price for any Option shall be paid in cash or shares of Stock held for longer than six (6) months (through actual tender or by attestation). In the Award Agreement, the Committee also may prescribe other methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid and the form of payment including, without limitation, any net-issuance arrangement or other property acceptable to the Committee (including broker-assisted “cashless exercise” arrangements), and the methods by which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. The Committee, in consideration of applicable accounting standards and applicable law, may waive the six (6) month share holding period described in the first sentence of this paragraph (d) in the event payment of an Option is made through the tendering of shares.

 

(e)           Repricing of Options.  Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, without approval of the Company’s stockholders, an Option may not be amended, modified or repriced to reduce the exercise price after the Grant Date. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.4 with respect to an adjustment in capitalization, an Option also may not be surrendered in consideration of a new Option having an exercise price below the exercise price of the Option being surrendered or exchanged.

 

(f)           Nontransferability of Options. No Option may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, all Options granted to a Participant shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or his or her legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, permit the transfer of an Option to a Family Member, trust or partnership, or to a charitable organization, provided that no value or consideration is received by the Participant with respect to such transfer.

 

6.2           Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Participants who are employees and the terms of any Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan must comply with the following additional provisions of this Section 6.2:

 

(a)           Exercise Price. Subject to Section 6.2(e), the exercise price per share of Stock pursuant to any Incentive Stock Option shall be set by the Committee, provided that the exercise price for any Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock as of the Grant Date.

 

(b)           Term of Incentive Stock Option.  In no event may any Incentive Stock Option be exercisable for more than ten (10) years from the Grant Date.

 

(c)           Lapse of Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall lapse in the following circumstances:

 

(1)           The Incentive Stock Option shall lapse ten (10) years from the Grant Date, unless an earlier time is set in the Award Agreement;

 

(2)           The Incentive Stock Option shall lapse upon a Termination of Employment for any reason other than the Participant’s death or Disability, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement; and

 

(3)           If the Participant incurs a Termination of Employment on account of Disability or death before the Option lapses pursuant to paragraph (i) or (ii) above, the Incentive Stock Option shall lapse, unless it is previously exercised, on the earlier of: (a) the scheduled termination date of the Option; or (b) twelve months after the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment on account of death or Disability. Upon the Participant’s death or Disability, any Incentive Stock Options exercisable at the Participant’s death or Disability may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or representatives, by the person or persons entitled to do so pursuant to the Participant’s last will and testament, or, if the Participant fails to make testamentary disposition of such Incentive Stock Option or dies intestate, by the person or persons entitled to receive the Incentive Stock Option pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

    

 

(d)           Individual Dollar Limitation.  The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time an Award is made) of all shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000 or such other limitation as imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code, or any successor provision. To the extent that Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

(e)           Ten Percent Owners.  An Incentive Stock Option may be granted to any individual who, at the Grant Date, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of Stock of the Company only if such Option is granted at a price that is not less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the Grant Date and the Option is exercisable for no more than five (5) years from the Grant Date.

 

(f)           Right to Exercise. Except as provided in Section 6.2(c)(iii), an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime.

 

(g)           Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards.  In accordance with Section 5.3(a), but subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.4, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued as Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall be the same numeric limit set forth in Section 5.1.

 

 

7.1           Stock Appreciation Rights.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant SARs to one or more Participants upon such terms and conditions and in such amounts, as shall be determined by the Committee. SARs may be granted in connection with the grant of an Option, in which case the exercise of such SARs will result in the surrender of the right to purchase the shares under the Option as to which the SARs were exercised. When SARs are granted in connection an Incentive Stock Option, the SARs shall have such terms and conditions as shall be required by Section 422 of the Code. Alternatively, SARs may be granted independently of Options. SARs are also subject to the following additional terms and conditions:

 

(a)           Base Value.  No SAR shall be granted at a base value that is less than the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the Grant Date.

 

(b)           Exercise of SARs.  SARs shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall, in each instance approve, which need not be the same for all Participants.

 

(c)           Term of SARs. Each SAR shall expire at such time as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that no SAR shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary the Grant Date.

 

(d)           Payment of SAR Amount. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Participant shall be entitled to receive the payment of an amount determined by multiplying: (i) the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise, over the base value fixed by the Committee on the Grant Date; by (ii) the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. Payment for SARs shall be made in manner and at the time specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement. At the discretion of the Committee, the Award Agreement may provide for payment of SARs in cash, shares of Stock of equivalent value, or in a combination thereof. 

 

(e)           Repricing of SARs.   Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, without approval of the Company’s stockholders, a SAR may not be amended, modified or repriced to reduce the base value after the Grant Date. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.4 with respect to an adjustment in capitalization, a SAR also may not be surrendered in consideration of or exchanged for cash, other Awards or a new SAR having a base value below the base value of the SAR being surrendered or exchanged.

 

 

(f)           Nontransferability of SARs. No SAR may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, all SARs granted to a Participant shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or his or her legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, permit the transfer of a SAR to a Family Member, trust or partnership, or to a charitable organization, provided that no value or consideration is received by the Participant with respect to such transfer.

 

 

8.1           Restricted Stock.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Stock to one or more Participants upon such terms and conditions, and in such amounts, as shall be determined by the Committee. Restricted Stock Awards are also subject to the following additional terms and conditions:

 

(a)           Issuance and Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such conditions and/or restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on transferability, the right to receive dividends, or the right to vote the Restricted Stock), which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant. These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as determined by the Committee. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock may not exercise voting rights with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock during the period of restriction.

 

(b)           Forfeiture. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, upon a Termination of Employment (or Termination of Service in the case of a Consultant or Non-Employee Director) during the applicable period of restriction, Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited.

 

(c)           Evidence of Ownership for Restricted Stock.  Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine, which may include an appropriate book entry credit on the books of the Company or a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. If certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may, in its discretion, retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

 

8.2           Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Stock Units to one or more Participants upon such terms and conditions, and in such amounts, as shall be determined by the Committee. Restricted Stock Unit Awards are also subject to the following additional terms and conditions:

 

(a)           Issuance and Restrictions.  Restricted Stock Unit Awards grant a Participant the right to receive a specified number of shares of Stock, or a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value (determined as of a specified date) of a specified number of shares of Stock, subject to such conditions and/or restrictions as the Committee may impose, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant. These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, in such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as determined by the Committee. 

 

(b)           Forfeiture. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, upon a Termination of Employment (or Termination of Service in the case of a Consultant or Non-Employee Director) during the applicable period of restriction, Restricted Stock Units that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited.

 

 

(c)           Form and Timing of Payment.  Payment for vested Restricted Stock Units shall be made in the manner and at the time designated by the Committee in the Award Agreement. In the Award Agreement, the Committee may provide that payment will be made in cash or Stock, or in a combination thereof.

 

 

9.1           Stock Grants.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Stock Awards to one or more Participants upon such terms and conditions, and in such amounts, as shall be determined by the Committee. Subject to Section 5.3(e), a Stock Grant Award grants the Participant the right to receive (or purchase at such price as determined by the Committee) a designated number of shares of Stock free of any vesting restrictions. The purchase price, if any, for a Stock Grant Award shall be payable in cash or other form of consideration acceptable to the Committee. A Stock Grant Award may be granted or sold as described in the preceding sentence in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of any cash compensation due to such Participant.

 

9.2           Stock Units. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Stock Unit Awards to one or more Participants upon such terms and conditions, and in such amounts, as shall be determined by the Committee. Subject to Section 5.3(e), a Stock Unit Award grants the Participant the right to receive a designated number of shares of Stock, or a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value (determined as of a specified date) of a designated number of shares of Stock, in the future free of any vesting restrictions. A Stock Unit Award may be granted as described in the preceding sentence in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of any cash compensation due to such Participant.

 

 

10.1           Performance Shares.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance Shares to one or more Participants upon such terms and conditions, and in such amounts, as shall be determined by the Committee. A Performance Share grants the Participant the right to receive a specified number of shares of Stock depending on the satisfaction of any one or more Performance Goals. Performance may be measured on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, payment for vested Performance Shares shall be made in Stock.

 

10.2           Performance Share Units. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance Share Units to one or more Participants upon such terms and conditions, and in such amounts, as shall be determined by the Committee. A Performance Share Unit grants the Participant the right to receive a specified number of shares of Stock or a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value (determined as of a specified date) of a specified number of shares of Stock depending on the satisfaction of any one or more Performance Goals. Performance may be measured on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. At the discretion of the Committee, the Award Agreement may provide for payment for vested Performance Share Units in cash, shares of Stock of equivalent cash value, or in a combination thereof.

  

10.3           Performance Cash. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance Cash to one or more Participants upon such terms and conditions, and in such amounts, as shall be determined by the Committee. A Performance Cash Award grants the Participant the right to receive an amount of cash depending on the satisfaction of any one or more Performance Goals.  Performance may be measured on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee.

 

10.4           Performance Goals. The Performance Goal or Goals applicable to any Performance Share, Performance Share Unit or Performance Cash Award shall be based on the Performance Criteria selected by the Committee and designated in the Award Agreement. The Performance Criteria applicable to any Performance Share, Performance Share Unit or Performance Cash Award granted to a Covered Employee that is designated as, or deemed to be, a Performance-Based Award pursuant to Section 11 shall be limited to the Performance Criteria specifically listed in the Glossary. The Performance Criteria applicable to any other Performance Share, Performance Share Unit or Performance Cash Award shall include the Performance Criteria specifically listed in the Glossary and such other criteria or factors as may be determined by the Committee and specified in the Award Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11 with respect to Performance-Based Awards to Covered Employees, the Committee shall retain the power to adjust the Performance Goals, the level of attainment of the Performance Goals or otherwise increase or decrease the amount payable with respect to any Award made pursuant to this Section 10.

 

 

 

11.1           Purpose.  Section 162(m) of the Code limits the amount of the Company’s deductions for compensation payable to Covered Employees to $1,000,000 per year. “Performance-based compensation” that meets the requirements set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code is not subject to this limitation. The purpose of this Section 11 is to enable the Committee to qualify some or all of the Awards granted pursuant to Sections 8 and 10 as “performance-based compensation” pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code. If the Committee decides that a particular Award to a Covered Employee should qualify as “performance-based compensation,” the Committee will provide in the Award Agreement or otherwise that the Award is intended to be a Performance-Based Award.

 

11.2           Applicability. This Section 11 shall apply only to Performance-Based Awards. If this Section 11 applies, its provisions control over any contrary provision contained in any other section of this Plan or any Award Agreement. The provisions of this Section 11 and any Award Agreement for a Performance-Based Award shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. If any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement for a Performance-Based Award does not comply with or is inconsistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

11.3           Committee Discretion with Respect to Performance-Based Awards. With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have full discretion to select the length of the Performance Period, the type of Performance-Based Awards to be issued, the kind and/or level of the Performance Goal or Goals and whether the Performance Goal or Goals apply to the Company or an Affiliate or any division or business unit thereof or the Participant or any group of Participants. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish the Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be stated in terms of absolute levels or relative to another company or to an index or indices.

  

11.4           Establishment of Performance Goals. A Performance-Based Award shall provide for payment only upon the attainment of one or more pre-established, objective Performance Goals. The Performance Goals, and the process by which they are established, shall satisfy all of the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. By way of illustration, but not limitation, the following requirements must be satisfied:

 

(a)           The Performance Goals shall be based solely on the Performance Criteria specifically identified in the Glossary;

 

(b)           The Performance Goals shall be considered to be pre-established only if the Performance Goals are established by the Committee in writing not later than 90 days after the commencement of the Performance Period for such Award provided that: (i) the outcome must be substantially uncertain at the time the Committee establishes the Performance Goals; and (ii) in no event may the Committee establish the Performance Goals for any Performance-Based Award after 25% of the Performance Period for such Award has elapsed;

 

(c)           A Performance Goal will be considered to be objective only if a third party having knowledge of the relevant facts could determine whether the Performance Goal has been met;

 

(d)           The Performance Goal must state, in terms of an objective formula or standard, the method for computing the amount of compensation payable to the Covered Employee if the Goal is attained. For this purpose, the formula will be considered to be objective only if a third party having knowledge of the relevant performance results could calculate the amount to be paid to the Covered Employee; and

 

 

(e)           The objective formula or standard must preclude discretion to increase the amount of compensation payable that would otherwise be due upon attainment of the Performance Goal.

 

11.5           Performance Evaluation; Adjustment of Goals. At the time a Performance-Based Award is first issued, the Committee, in the Award Agreement or in another written document, shall specify whether performance will be evaluated including or excluding the effect of any of the following events that occur during the Performance Period, as the Committee deems appropriate: (a) judgments entered or settlements reached in litigation or regulator proceedings; (b) the write down or sale of assets; (c) the impact of any reorganization or restructuring; (d) the impact of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, regulatory actions or other laws affecting reported results; (e) items that are unusual in nature or infrequently occurring as described in Accounting Standards Update 2015-01 and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as the case may be, for the applicable year; (f) the impact of any mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs or other divestitures; and (g) foreign exchange gains and losses.

 

The inclusion or exclusion of these items shall be expressed in a form that satisfies the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee, in its discretion, also may, within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Goals for such Performance Period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants: (i) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event, or development; or (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions.

 

11.6           Adjustment of Performance-Based Awards. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Committee may not make any adjustment or take any other action with respect to any Performance-Based Award that will increase the amount payable under any such Award. The Committee shall retain the sole discretion to adjust Performance-Based Awards downward or to otherwise reduce the amount payable with respect to any Performance-Based Award.

 

11.7           Continued Employment Required. Unless otherwise provided in the relevant Award Agreement or in the case of a Change in Control, a Participant must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate on the day a Performance-Based Award for such Performance Period is paid to the Participant.

 

              11.8           Certification By Committee. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, the payment of a Performance-Based Award shall not occur until the Committee certifies, in writing, that the pre-established Performance Goals and any other material terms and conditions precedent to such payment have been satisfied. Committee certification is not required for compensation that is attributable solely to the increase in the value of the Company’s Stock.

 

11.9           Maximum Award Payable. In accordance with Section 5.3, but subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.4, the maximum Performance-Based Award (other than a Performance Cash Award of Performance Share Unit Award payable in cash) payable to any one participant for any 12-month Performance Period is 1,000,000 shares of Stock or the equivalent cash value. The maximum Performance Cash Award (or Performance Share Unit Award payable in cash) payable to any one Participant for any 12-month Performance Period is $1,000,000. If the Performance Period exceeds 12 months, the dollar and share limits expressed in the preceding sentences shall be reduced or increased proportionately, as the case may be. For example, if the Performance Period is three (3) years, the limit shall be increased by multiplying it by three.

 

11.10           Miscellaneous. The designation of a Covered Employee as a Participant for any Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle the Participant to receive a Performance-Based Award for such Performance Period. Moreover, designation of a Covered Employee as a Participant for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of such Covered Employee as a Participant for any subsequent Performance Period.

 

 

12.1           Vesting. If so specified by the Committee at the time of the grant of an Award, such Award shall become fully vested and exercisable and all restrictions on such Awards shall lapse if, following a Change in Control, the Participant’s employment is terminated without Cause or Participant resigns for Good Reason. To the extent that this provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set forth in Section 422(d) of the Code or any successor provision, the excess Options shall be deemed to be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

12.2           Participant Consent Not Required. Nothing in this Section 12 or any other provision of this Plan is intended to provide any Participant with any right to consent to or object to any transaction that might result in a Change in Control and each provision of this Plan shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with this intent. Similarly, nothing in this Section 12 or any other provision of this Plan is intended to provide any Participant with any right to consent to or object to any action taken by the Board or Committee in connection with a Change in Control transaction.

 

 

13.1           Award Agreements.  All Awards shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. The Award Agreement shall include such terms and provisions as the Committee determines appropriate. The terms of the Award Agreement may vary depending on the type of Award, the employee or classification of the employee to whom the Award is made and such other factors as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

13.2           Termination of Employment or Service. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall determine and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement the extent to which a Participant shall (i) have the right to retain and/or exercise an Award following a Termination of Employment or (Termination of Service in the context of a Consultant or Non-Employee Director) or (ii) be entitled to accelerated vesting if the Participant is terminated following a Change in Control. Such provisions need not be uniform among all types of Awards and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for such terminations, including, but not limited to, death, Disability, a termination for Cause or reasons relating to the breach or threatened breach of restrictive covenants.

 

13.3           Form of Payment. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Award Agreement and any applicable law, payments or transfers to be made by the Company or any Affiliate on the grant, exercise, or settlement of any Award may be made in such form as determined by the Committee including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, or any combination thereof, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or any combination thereof, in each case determined by rules adopted by the Committee.

 

13.4          Limits on Transfer.

 

(a)           General. Except as provided in Section 6.1(f), Section 7.1(f), Section 13.4(b) or Section 13.5, no Award granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order (that would otherwise qualify as a qualified domestic relations order as defined in the Code or Title I of ERISA but for the fact that the order pertains to an Award) in favor of a spouse or, if applicable, until the expiration of any period during which any restrictions are applicable or any Performance Period as determined by the Committee.

 

(b)           Transfer to Family Members. The Committee shall have the authority to adopt a written policy that is applicable to existing Awards, new Awards, or both, which permits a Participant to transfer Awards during his or her lifetime to any Family Member. In the event an Award is transferred as permitted by such policy, such transferred Award may not be subsequently transferred by the transferee (other than another transfer meeting the conditions set forth in the policy) except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. A transferred Award shall continue to be governed by and subject to the terms and limitations of the Plan and relevant Award Agreement, and the transferee shall be entitled to the same rights as the Participant, as if the transfer had not taken place.

 

 

13.5           Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding Section 13.4(a), a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death, and in accordance with Section 6.2(c)(iii), upon the Participant’s Disability. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is provided to the Committee.

 

13.6           Evidence of Ownership.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates, make any book entry credits, or take any other action to evidence shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Company has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance and delivery of such certificates, book entry credits, or other evidence of ownership is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange or quotation system on which the shares of Stock are listed, quoted or traded. All Stock certificates, book entry credits, or other evidence of ownership delivered pursuant to the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Company deems necessary or advisable to comply with Federal, state, or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted, or traded. The Company may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Company may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Company, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.

 

  13.7           Claw back.  Every Award issued pursuant to this Plan is subject to potential forfeiture or recovery to the fullest extent called for by law, any applicable listing standard, or any current or future claw back policy that may be adopted by the Company from time to time, including, without limitation, any claw back policy adopted to comply with the final rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the final listing standards to be adopted by Nasdaq pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. By accepting an Award, each Participant consents to the potential forfeiture or recovery of his or her Awards pursuant to applicable law, listing standard, and/or Company claw back policy, and agrees to be bound by and comply with the claw back policy and to return the full amount required by the claw back policy. As a condition to the receipt of any Award, a Participant may be required to execute any requested additional documents consenting to and agreeing to abide by the Company claw back policy as it may be amended from time to time.

 

 

14.1           Amendment, Modification and Termination of the Plan. The Board may at any time, and from time to time, terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided however, that any such action of the Board shall be subject to approval of the stockholders to the extent required by law, regulation or any stock exchange rule for any exchange on which shares of Stock are listed. Notwithstanding the above, to the extent permitted by law, the Board may delegate to the Committee or the CEO the authority to approve non-substantive amendments to the Plan.  Except as provided in Section 5.4, neither the Board, the CEO, nor the Committee may, without the approval of the stockholders: (a) increase the number of shares available under the Plan; (b) reprice previously granted Options or SARs or take any action relative to Options or SARs that would be treated as a repricing under applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules (or the rules of any exchange on which the Stock is then listed); (c) grant Options or SARs with an exercise price or base value that is below Fair Market Value on the Grant Date; (d) extend the exercise period or term of any Option or SAR beyond 10 years from the Grant Date; (e) expand the types of Award available for grant under the Plan; or (f) expand the class of individuals eligible to participant in the Plan.

 

14.2           Awards Previously Granted. No amendment, modification, or termination of the Plan or any Award under the Plan shall in any manner adversely affect in any material way the rights of the holder under any Award previously granted pursuant to the Plan without the prior written consent of the holder of the Award. Such consent shall not be required if the change: (a) is required by law or regulation; (b) does not adversely affect in any material way the rights of the holder; (c) is required to cause the benefits under the Plan to qualify as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; or (d) is made pursuant to any adjustment described in Section 5.4.

 

 

14.3           Performance-Based Awards.  Except in the case of a Change in Control, the Committee shall not have the authority to amend an Award Agreement to accelerate the vesting or waive the forfeiture restrictions of any Performance-Based Award. In addition, the Committee shall not take any other action that would cause a Performance-Based Award to fail to satisfy the requirements of the performance-based compensation exception to the deduction limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code unless the Committee concludes that the deduction limitations will not become applicable or that the amendment is appropriate despite the deduction limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

 

The Company shall have the power to withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, the minimum amount necessary to satisfy federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements on any Award under the Plan. The Company may permit the Participant to satisfy a tax withholding obligation by: (a) directing the Company to withhold shares of Stock to which the Participant is entitled pursuant to the Award in an amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s applicable federal, state, local or foreign income and employment tax withholding obligations with respect to such Participant; (b) tendering previously-owned shares of Stock held by the Participant for six (6) months or longer to satisfy the Company’s applicable federal, state, local, or foreign income and employment tax withholding obligations with respect to the Participant (which holding period may be waived in accordance with Section 6.1(d)); (c) a broker-assisted “cashless” transaction; or (d) personal check or other cash equivalent acceptable to the Company.

 

 

Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such person may be entitled under the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, resolution or agreement, as a matter of law, or otherwise.

 

 

17.1           No Rights to Awards.  No Participant or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award and neither the Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat Participants and other persons uniformly.

 

17.2           Continued Employment.  Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate any Participant’s employment or service at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company.

 

17.3           Funding.  The Company shall not be required to segregate any of its assets to ensure the payment of any Award under the Plan. Neither the Participant nor any other persons shall have any interest in any fund or in any specific asset or assets of the Company or any other entity by reason of any Award, except to the extent expressly provided hereunder. The interests of each Participant and former Participant hereunder are unsecured and shall be subject to the general creditors of the Company.

 

 

17.4           Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company.

 

17.5           No Stockholders Rights.  No Award gives the Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until shares of Stock are in fact issued to such person in connection with such Award.

 

17.6           Titles and Headings.  The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

 

17.7           Successors and Assigns. The Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the Company, including without limitation, whether by way of merger, consolidation, operation of law, assignment, purchase, or other acquisition of substantially all of the assets or business of the Company, and any and all such successors and assigns shall absolutely and unconditionally assume all of the Company’s obligations under the Plan.

  

17.8           Survival of Provisions. The rights, remedies, agreements, obligations and covenants contained in or made pursuant to this Plan, any Agreement, and any other notices or agreements in connection therewith, shall survive the execution and delivery of such notices and agreements and the delivery and receipt of such shares of Stock.

 

17.9           Requirements of Law.  The granting of Awards and the issuance of shares and/or cash under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. The Company shall be under no obligation to register pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, any of the shares of Stock paid pursuant to the Plan. If the shares of Stock paid pursuant to the Plan may in certain circumstances be exempt from registration pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption. The Committee shall impose such restrictions on any Award as it may deem advisable, including without limitation, restrictions under applicable federal securities law, under the requirements of Nasdaq (or any other exchange upon which the Stock is then traded), and under any other blue sky or state securities law applicable to such Award.

 

17.10           Governing Law.  The place of administration of the Plan shall be conclusively deemed to be within the State of New York, and the rights and obligations of any and all persons having or claiming to have had an interest under the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be governed by and construed exclusively and solely in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the conflict of law’s provisions of any jurisdictions. All parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of New York with respect to matters relating to the Plan and agree not to raise or assert the defense that such forum is not convenient for such party. The Plan is an unfunded performance-based bonus plan for a select group of persons or highly compensated employees and is not intended to be either an employee pension or welfare benefit plan subject to ERISA.

 

17.11           Securities Law Compliance.  With respect to any Participant who is, on the relevant date, obligated to file reports pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, transactions pursuant to this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors pursuant to the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Committee may impose such conditions on the exercise of any Award as may be required to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or its successors pursuant to the Exchange Act. To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be void to the extent permitted by law and voidable as deemed advisable by the Committee.

 

17.12           Section 409A of the Code.

 

(a)           General Compliance. Some of the Awards that may be granted pursuant to the Plan (including, but not necessarily limited to, Restricted Stock Units Awards, Performance Share Awards, Performance Share Unit Awards, Performance Cash and Stock Unit Awards) may be considered to be “non-qualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code. If an Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Company intends (but cannot and does not guarantee) that the Award Agreement and this Plan comply with and meet all of the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exception thereto and the Award Agreement shall include such provisions, in addition to the provisions of this Plan, as may be necessary to assure compliance with Section 409A of the Code or an exception thereto.

 

 

(b)           Delay for Specified Employees. If, at the time of a Participant’s Separation from Service, the Company has any Stock which is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, and if the Participant is considered to be a Specified Employee, to the extent any payment for any Award is subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and is payable upon the Participant’s Separation from Service, such payment shall not commence prior to the first business day following the date which is six (6) months after the Participant’s Separation from Service (or the date of the Participant’s death if earlier than the end of the six (6) month period). Any amounts that would have been distributed during such six (6) month period will be distributed on the day following the expiration of the six (6) month period.

  

(c)           Prohibition on Acceleration or Deferral. Under no circumstances may the time or schedule of any payment for any Award that is subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code be accelerated or subject to further deferral except as otherwise permitted or required pursuant to regulations and other guidance issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. If the Company fails to make any payment pursuant to the payment provisions applicable to an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, either intentionally or unintentionally, within the time period specified in such provisions, but the payment is made within the same calendar year, such payment will be treated as made within the specified time period. In addition, in the event of a dispute with respect to any payment, such payment may be delayed in accordance with the regulations and other guidance issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

 

 

 

 

 

GLOSSARY

 

(a)           “Affiliate” means any member of a “controlled group of corporations” (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code as modified by Section 415(h) of the Code) that includes the Company as a member of the group. In applying Section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3) of the Code for purposes of determining the members of a controlled group of corporations under Section 414(b) of the Code, the language “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears in Section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3).

 

(b)           “Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Grant, Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Share Unit, or Performance Cash Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.

 

(c)           “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document, including an electronic agreement or document, evidencing an Award.

 

(d)           “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors, as constituted from time to time.

 

(e)           “Cause” means any of the following:

 

(1)           Participant’s commission of, or assistance to or conspiracy with others to commit, fraud, misrepresentation, theft or embezzlement of Company assets;

 

(2)           Participant’s material intentional violations of law or of material Company policies;

 

(3)           Participant’s repeated insubordination or willful failure to substantially perform his or her employment duties or duties as a Non-Employee Director; or

 

(4)           Participant’s willful engagement in conduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(f)           “CEO” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

(g)           “Change in Control” means any of the following:

 

(1)           The sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in one transaction or in a series of related transactions;

 

(2)           any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becoming directly or indirectly the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), of securities representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at the elections of directors, except that any change in the ownership of the stock of the Company as a result of a financing by the Company that is approved by the Board will not be considered a change in control; or

 

(3)           individuals who constitute the Board as of the Effective Date cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors comprising or deemed pursuant hereto to comprise the Board as of the Effective Date (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director) shall be, for purposes of this clause, considered as though such person were a member of the Board as of the Effective Date of the Plan.

 

 

(4)           For sake of clarity, a “Change in Control” will not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the Plan until the transaction (or services of transactions) that would otherwise be considered a “Change in Control” closes. The transfer of Stock or assets of the Company in connection with a bankruptcy filing by or against the Company under Title 11 of the United States Code will not be considered to be a “Change in Control” for purposes of this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing a “Change in Control” shall not occur for purposes of this Plan in the case of Awards that are subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code unless such “Change in Control” constitutes a “change in control event” as defined in Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if, (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

  

(h)           “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. All references to the Code shall be interpreted to include a reference to any applicable regulations, rulings or other official guidance promulgated pursuant to such section of the Code.

 

(i)           “Committee” except as set forth in Section 4.1, means the Compensation Committee of the Board. At all times the Committee shall consist of at least two (2) or more individuals, each of whom qualifies as: (i) a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act; (ii) an “outside director” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code; and (iii) as “independent” for purposes of the applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules.

 

(j)           “Company” means Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc., a Delaware company.

 

(k)           “Consultant” means a consultant or adviser that provides bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate as an independent contractor and not as an employee; provided, however that such person may become a Participant in the Plan only if the Consultant: (i) is a natural person; and (ii) does not provide services in connection with the offer or sale of the Company’s securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

 

(1)           “Covered Employee” means an Employee who is or could be a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(m)           “Disability” means the inability of a Participant to engage in any substantially gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The permanence and degree of impairment shall be supported by medical evidence. For purposes of an Incentive Stock Option, “Disability” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

(n)           “Effective Date” means the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders at the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting.

 

(o)           “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. All references to a section of ERISA shall be interpreted to include a reference to any applicable regulations, rulings or other official guidance promulgated pursuant to such section of ERISA.

 

(p)           “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. All references to the Exchange Act shall be interpreted to include a reference to any applicable regulations, rulings or other official guidance promulgated pursuant to such section of the Exchange Act.

 

(q)           “Expiration Date” means the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

(r)           “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the closing price for the Stock as reported on  Nasdaq (or any other exchange on which the Stock is than listed) for that date or, if no prices are reported for that date, the closing price on the last day on which such prices were reported.

 

(s)           “Family Member” means a Participant’s spouse and any parent, stepparent, grandparent, child, stepchild, or grandchild, including adoptive relationships or a trust or any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) have more than 50% of the beneficial interest.

 

 

(t)           “Good Reason” means any of the following:

 

(1)           A material reduction of Participant’s duties, authority or responsibilities, in effect immediately prior to such reduction;

 

(2)           A material reduction of Participant’s then-existing base salary; or

 

(3)           The Company’s decision to relocate a Participant’s principal place of work by more than 50 miles.

 

(u)           “Grant Date” means the date the Committee approves the Award or a date in the future on which the Committee determines the Award will become effective.

  

(v)           “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

 

(w)           “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Company’s Board who is not a common-law employee of the Company.

 

(x)           “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(y)           “Option” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 7. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

(z)           “Participant” means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan.

 

(aa)           “Performance-Based Awards” means an Award intended to satisfy the requirements of the performance-based compensation exception to the limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code on the tax deductibility of compensation payable to Covered Employees.

 

(bb)           “Performance Cash” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10.

 

(cc)           “Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Committee selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Participant for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: net operating income before taxes and extraordinary charges against income; earnings before interest, and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization; pre- or after-tax net earnings; sales growth; production levels; unit costs; operating earnings; operating cash flow; return on net assets; return on stockholders’ equity; return on assets; return on capital; Stock price growth; stockholder returns; gross or net profit margin; earnings per share; price per share of Stock; market share; revenue; income; safety objectives; environmental objectives; and completion of major projects. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish Performance Goals with respect to any Award other than a Performance-Based Award that is subject to Article 11 will include the above-listed Performance Criteria and such other criteria as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Any of the Performance Criteria may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group, indices, or any other basket of companies. Financial Performance Criteria may, but need not, be calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or any successor method to GAAP, including International Financial Reporting Standards. The Committee shall, within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for a particular Performance Period for a particular Participant.

 

(dd)           “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the goals established in writing by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. 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. The Performance Goals may be stated in terms of absolute levels or relative to another company or companies or to an index or indices.

 

 

(ee)           “Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time (but not less than 12 months), which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, an Award.

 

(ff)           “Performance Share” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 10.

 

(gg)           “Performance Share Unit” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 10.

  

(hh)           “Plan” means this Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

(ii)           “2009 Plan” means the Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc. 2009 Stock Option  Plan.

 

(jj)           “Restricted Stock” means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 9,

 

(kk)           “Restricted Stock Unit” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 9.

 

(ll)           “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time. All references to the Securities Act shall be interpreted to include a reference to any applicable regulations, rulings or other official guidance promulgated pursuant to such section of the Securities Act.

 

(mm)           “Separation from Service” is a term that applies only in the context of an Award that the Company concludes is subject to Section 409A of the Code. In that limited context, the term “Separation from Service” means either: (i) the termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company and all Affiliates due to death, retirement or other reasons; or (ii) a permanent reduction in the level of bona fide services the Participant provides to the Company and all Affiliates to an amount that is less than 50% of the average level of bona fide services the Participant provided to the Company and all Affiliates in the immediately preceding 36 months, with the level of bona fide service calculated in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii). Solely for purposes of determining whether a Participant has a “Separation from Service,” a Participant’s employment relationship is treated as continuing while the Participant is on military leave, medical or sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence (if the period of such leave does not exceed six (6) months, or if longer, so long as the Participant’s right to reemployment with the Company or an Affiliate is provided either by statute or contract). If the Participant’s period of leave exceeds six (6) months and the Participant’s right to reemployment is not provided either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship is deemed to terminate on the first day immediately following the expiration of such six (6) month period. Whether a Termination of Employment has occurred will be determined based on all of the facts and circumstances and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

In the case of a Non-Employee Director, Separation from Service means that such member has ceased to be a member of the Board. Whether an independent contractor consultant has incurred a Separation from Service will be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

 

(nn)           “Specified Employee” means certain officers and highly compensated employees of the Company as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i). The identification date for determining whether any employee is a Specified Employee during any calendar year shall be the September 1 preceding the commencement of such calendar year.

 

(oo)           “Stock” means the common stock of the Company and such other securities of the Company that may be substituted for Stock pursuant to Section 5.

 

(pp)           “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 7.

 

(qq)            “Stock Grant Award” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 9.

 

(rr)           “Stock Unit” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 9.

 

(ss)           “Termination of Employment” or “Termination of Service” means the cessation of performance of services for the Company. For this purpose, the transfer of a Participant among the Company and any Affiliate, or transfer from a position as a member of the Board to Employee, shall not be considered a Termination of Service or a Termination of Employment with the Company. In the context of an Award that is subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the terms “Termination of Service” and “Termination of Employment” mean a Separation from Service.