2018 Equity Incentive Plan
EX-10.24 6 exhibit1024s-1a1.htm EXHIBIT 10.24 Exhibit
Exhibit 10.24
i3 VERTICALS, INC.
2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
i3 VERTICALS, INC.
2018 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1. Purpose.
This plan shall be known as the i3 Verticals, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of i3 Verticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), its Subsidiaries and its stockholders by (i) attracting and retaining key officers, employees, and directors of, and consultants to, the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates; (ii) motivating such individuals by means of performance-related incentives to achieve long-range performance goals; (iii) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company; (iv) encouraging ownership of stock in the Company by such individuals; and (v) linking their compensation to the long-term 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:
(a) “Affiliate” means (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Company, (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, (iii) an affiliate of the Company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and (iv) any entity in which the Company has at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the entity’s outstanding voting securities, in each case as designated by the Board as being a participating employer in the Plan.
(b) “Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Share Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award or other award granted under the Plan, whether singly, in combination or in tandem, to a Participant by the Committee (or the Board) pursuant to such terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations, if any, as the Committee (or the Board) may establish or which are required by applicable legal requirements.
(c) “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award.
(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) “Cause” means, unless otherwise defined in an applicable Award Agreement, (i) the engaging by the Participant in willful misconduct that is injurious to the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or (ii) the embezzlement or misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates by the Participant. For purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Participant’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Any determination of Cause for purposes of the Plan or any Award shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion. Any such determination shall be final and binding on a Participant.
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(f) “Change in Control” means any of the following events:
(i) an acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any voting securities of the Company (the “Voting Securities”) by any “Person” (as the term Person is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however, that in determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, Voting Securities which are acquired in a “Non-Control Acquisition” (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a Change in Control. A “Non-Control Acquisition” means an acquisition by (i) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) the Company or (B) any Subsidiary, or (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary;
(ii) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, a majority of the members of the Board or other equivalent governing body of the Company cease to be composed of individuals (A) who were members of the Board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (B) whose election or nomination to the Board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (A) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of the Board or equivalent governing body, or (C) whose election or nomination to the Board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (A) and (B) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of the Board or equivalent governing body; or
(iii) consummation of:
(A) A merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, unless,
(1) The stockholders of the Company, immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own, directly or indirectly immediately following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the surviving entity or parent (the “Surviving Corporation”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization; and
(2) The individuals who were members of the incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the definitive agreement providing for such merger, consolidation or reorganization constitute more than fifty percent (50%) of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation; and
(3) No Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary, any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) maintained by the Company, the Surviving Corporation or any Subsidiary, or any Person who, immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, had Beneficial Ownership
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of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the then outstanding Voting Securities unless, as a result of such merger, consolidation or reorganization, such Person acquired or would acquire additional voting securities of the Surviving Corporation representing additional voting power) has Beneficial Ownership of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power of the Surviving Corporation’s then outstanding Voting Securities.
(B) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
(C) The sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the outstanding Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of Voting Securities outstanding, increased the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur.
Unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement, solely for the purpose of determining the timing of any payments pursuant to any Award constituting a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, a Change in Control shall be limited to a “change in the ownership of the Company,” a “change in the effective control of the Company,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company” as such terms are defined in Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations. No Award Agreement shall define a Change in Control in such a manner that a Change in Control would be deemed to occur prior to the actual consummation of the event or transaction that results in a change of control of the Company (e.g., upon the announcement, commencement, or stockholder approval of any event or transaction that, if completed, would result in a change in control of the Company).
(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(h) “Committee” means a committee of the Board composed of not less than two Non-Employee Directors, each of whom shall be (i) a “non-employee director” for purposes of Exchange Act Section 16 and Rule 16b-3 thereunder, and (ii) “independent” within the meaning of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
(i) “Consultant” means any natural person that provides bona fide services to the Company, and such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities..
(j) “Director” means a member of the Board.
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(k) “Disability” means, unless otherwise defined in an applicable Award Agreement, a disability that would qualify as a total and permanent disability under the Company’s then current long-term disability plan.
(l) “Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant under the Plan to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares.
(m) “Employee” means a current or prospective officer or employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
(n) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
(o) “Exercise Price” means the purchase price payable to purchase one Share upon the exercise of an Option or the price by which the value of a SAR shall be determined upon exercise, pursuant to Section 1(gg).
(p) “Fair Market Value” with respect to the Shares, means, for purposes of a grant of an Award as of any date, (i) the closing sales price of the Shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or any other such exchange or market on which the shares are traded, on such date, or in the absence of reported sales on such date, the closing sales price on the immediately preceding date on which sales were reported (or in either case, such other price based on actual trading on the applicable date that the Committee determines is appropriate) or (ii) in the event there is no public market for the Shares on such date, the fair market value as determined, in good faith, by the Committee in its sole discretion, and for purposes of a sale of a Share as of any date, the actual sales price on that date.
(q) “Good Reason” means, unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement or other contractual agreement between the Participant and the Company, (1) a material reduction in Participant’s title, authority, reporting status or responsibilities, which is not cured within ten (10) days after written notice thereof to the Company or its affiliates (or their successor), (2) any reduction in Participant’s annual base salary or bonus opportunity as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control; or (3) the relocation of the office at which Participant is to perform the majority of Participant’s duties following a Change in Control to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the office at which Participant worked immediately prior to the Change in Control.
(r) “Incentive Stock Option” means an option to purchase Shares from the Company that is granted under Section 6 of the Plan and that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.
(s) “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
(t) “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an option to purchase Shares from the Company that is granted under Sections 6 or 10 of the Plan and is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
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(u) “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(v) “Other Stock-Based Award” means any Award granted under Sections 9 or 10 of the Plan.
(w) “Participant” means any Employee, Director, Consultant or other person who receives an Award under the Plan.
(x) “Performance Award” means any Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.
(y) “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
(z) “Restricted Stock” means any Share granted under Sections 7 or 10 of the Plan subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.
(aa) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Committee to be of equal value as of such settlement date, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.
(bb) “Retirement” means, unless otherwise defined in an applicable Award Agreement, retirement of a Participant from the employ or service of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company retirement plan or, if a Participant is not covered by any such plan, the Participant’s voluntary termination of employment on or after such Participant’s 65th birthday.
(cc) “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.
(dd) “Section 16” means Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder and any successor provision thereto as in effect from time to time.
(ee) “Service Relationship” means any relationship as a full-time employee, part-time employee, director or other key person (including Consultants) of the Company or any Subsidiary or any successor entity (e.g., a Service Relationship shall be deemed to continue without interruption in the event an individual’s status changes from full-time employee to part-time employee or Consultant).
(ff) “Shares” means shares of the Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company.
(gg) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted under Sections 6 or 10 of the Plan that entitles the holder to receive, with respect to each Share encompassed by the exercise of such SAR, the amount determined by the Committee and specified in an Award Agreement. In the absence of such a determination, the holder shall be entitled to
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receive, with respect to each Share encompassed by the exercise of such SAR, the excess of the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.
(hh) “Subsidiary” means any Person (other than the Company) of which a majority of its voting power or its equity securities or equity interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company.
(ii) “Substitute Awards” means Awards granted pursuant to Section 12.2 solely in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.
(jj) “Vesting Period” means the period of time specified by the Committee during which vesting restrictions for an Award are applicable.
Section 3. Administration.
3.1 Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board; provided, however, with respect to Awards to Non-Employee Directors, all references in the Plan to the Committee shall be deemed to be references to the Board. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority in its discretion to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (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 timing, terms, and conditions of any Award; (v) accelerate the time at which all or any part of an Award may be settled or exercised; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended; (vii) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property, and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee; (viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan; (ix) except to the extent prohibited by Section 6.2 or any other provision of the Plan, amend or modify the terms of any Award at or after grant with or without the consent of the holder of the Award; (x) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (xi) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan, subject to the exclusive authority of the Board under Section 14 hereunder to amend or terminate the Plan.
3.2 Committee Discretion Binding. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, any Participant and any holder or beneficiary of any Award.
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3.3 Action by the Committee. The exercise of an Option or receipt of an Award shall be effective only if an Award Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company following the grant of the Option or other Award by the Committee. Subject to the Charter of the Committee and applicable legal requirements (including the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Select Market), the Committee may make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable.
3.4 Delegation. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers or managers of the Company or of any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or to a Committee of such officers or managers, the authority, subject to such terms and limitations as the Committee shall determine, to grant Awards to or to cancel, modify or waive rights with respect to, or to alter, discontinue, suspend or terminate Awards held by Participants who are not officers or directors of the Company for purposes of Section 16 or who are otherwise not subject to such Section.
3.5 No Liability. No member of the Board or Committee shall be liable for any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted hereunder.
Section 4. Shares Available for Awards.
4.1 Shares Available. Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 hereof, the number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (the “Share Reserve”) shall be 3,500,000, of which 3,500,000 shall be available for grant as Incentive Stock Options.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 hereof, the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan will automatically be increased on the first trading day of January each calendar year during the term of the Plan, beginning with calendar year 2019, in an amount equal to four percent (4%) of the outstanding shares of all classes of the Company’s common stock (including both Class A common stock and Class B common stock) on the last trading day in December of the immediately preceding calendar year, unless the Board, no later than the last trading day in December of the immediately preceding calendar year, determines that the increase shall be less than four percent (4%). For the avoidance of doubt, the number of Shares available for grant as Incentive Stock Options shall not be increased pursuant to this Section 4.1(a).
(b) For purposes of this limitation, the Shares underlying any Awards that are forfeited, canceled, held back upon exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding, reacquired by the Company prior to vesting, satisfied without the issuance of Shares or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) under the Plan shall be added back to the Share Reserve for issuance under the Plan.
4.2 Adjustments. In the event that any unusual or non-recurring transactions, including an unusual or non-recurring dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of an extraordinary cash dividend or a dividend of Shares, other securities or other property), 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
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rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares, then the Committee shall in an equitable and proportionate manner (and, as applicable, in such equitable and proportionate manner as is consistent with Sections 422 and 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder) either: (i) adjust any or all of (1) the aggregate number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan; (2) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards under the Plan, provided that the number of shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number; and (3) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award under the Plan; (ii) provide for an equivalent award in respect of securities of the surviving entity of any merger, consolidation or other transaction or event having a similar effect; or (iii) make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award.
4.3 Substitute Awards. Any Shares issued by the Company as Substitute Awards in connection with the assumption or substitution of outstanding grants from any acquired company shall not reduce the Share Reserve.
4.4 Sources of Shares Deliverable Under Awards. Any Shares delivered pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or of issued Shares which have been reacquired by the Company.
Section 5. Eligibility.
Any Employee, Director or Consultant shall be eligible to be designated a Participant; provided, however, that Non-Employee Directors shall only be eligible to receive Awards granted consistent with Section 10.
Section 6. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
6.1 Grant. Subject to Section 6.2, other applicable provisions of the Plan and other applicable legal requirements, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Participants to whom Options and SARs shall be granted, the number of Shares subject to each such Award, the Exercise Price and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option and SAR. An Option may be granted with or without a related SAR. A SAR may be granted with or without a related Option. The grant of an Option or SAR shall occur when the Committee by resolution, written consent or other appropriate action determines to grant such Option or SAR for a particular number of Shares to a particular Participant at a particular Exercise Price, or such later date as the Committee shall specify in such resolution, written consent or other appropriate action. The Committee shall have the authority to grant Incentive Stock Options, or to grant Non-Qualified Stock Options, or to grant both types of Options. In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be subject to and comply with Section 422 of the Code, as from time to time amended, and any regulations implementing such statute. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
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6.2 Price. The Committee in its sole discretion shall establish the Exercise Price at the time each Option or SAR is granted. Except in the case of Substitute Awards, the Exercise Price of an Option or SAR may not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which the Option or SAR is granted on the date of grant of such Option or SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as permitted by the provisions of Section 4.2 hereof, the Committee shall not have the power to (i) amend the terms of previously granted Options or SARs to reduce the Exercise Price thereof, (ii) cancel such Options or SARs in exchange for cash or a grant of either substitute Options or SARs with a lower Exercise Price than the cancelled Award, or any other Award, (iii) take any other action with respect to an Option or SAR that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Select Market or such other principal securities exchange on which the Shares are traded, in each case without the approval of the Company’s shareholders.
6.3 Term. Subject to the Committee’s authority under Section 3.1 and the provisions of Section 6.5, each Option and SAR and all rights and obligations thereunder shall expire on the date determined by the Committee and specified in the Award Agreement. The Committee shall be under no duty to provide terms of like duration for Options or SARs granted under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as provided in Section 6.4(a) hereof, no Option or SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date such Option or SAR was granted.
6.4 Exercise.
(a) Each Option and SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter. The Committee shall have full and complete authority to determine whether an Option or SAR will be exercisable in full at any time or from time to time during the term of the Option or SAR, or to provide for the exercise thereof in such installments, upon the occurrence of such events and at such times during the term of the Option or SAR as the Committee may determine. The Committee may provide, at or after grant, that the period of time over which an Option, other than an Incentive Stock Option, or SAR may be exercised shall be automatically extended if on the scheduled expiration of such Award, the Participant’s exercise of such Award would violate applicable securities law; provided, however, that during the extended exercise period the Option or SAR may only be exercised to the extent such Award was exercisable in accordance with its terms immediately prior to such scheduled expiration date; provided further, however, that such extended exercise period shall end not later than thirty (30) days after the exercise of such Option or SAR first would no longer violate such laws.
(b) The Committee may impose such conditions with respect to the exercise of Options or SARs, including without limitation, any relating to the application of federal, state or foreign securities laws or the Code, as it may deem necessary or advisable. The exercise of any Option granted hereunder shall be effective only at such time as the sale of Shares pursuant to such exercise will not violate any state or federal securities or other laws.
(c) An Option or SAR may be exercised in whole or in part at any time, with respect to whole Shares only, within the period permitted thereunder for the exercise thereof, and
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shall be exercised by written notice of intent to exercise the Option or SAR, delivered to the Company at its principal office, and payment in full to the Company at the direction of the Committee of the amount of the Exercise Price for the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is then being exercised.
(d) Payment of the Exercise Price shall be made (i) in cash or cash equivalents, (ii) at the discretion of the Committee, by transfer, either actually or by attestation, to the Company of unencumbered Shares previously acquired by the Participant valued at the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the date of exercise (or next succeeding trading date, if the date of exercise is not a trading date), together with any applicable withholding taxes, such transfer to be upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee, (iii) by a combination of such cash (or cash equivalents) and such Shares, or (iv) at the discretion of the Committee and subject to applicable securities laws, by (A) delivering a notice of exercise of the Option and simultaneously selling the Shares thereby acquired, pursuant to a brokerage or similar agreement approved in advance by proper officers of the Company, using the proceeds of such sale as payment of the Exercise Price, together with any applicable withholding taxes or (B) withholding Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant pursuant to the Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Exercise Price together with any applicable withholding taxes. Until the optionee has been issued the Shares subject to such exercise, he or she shall possess no rights as a stockholder with respect to such Shares.
(e) Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Shares to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Award Agreement) by the Company of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Company is obligated to withhold with respect to the optionee). In the event an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned Shares through the attestation method, the number of Shares transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Option shall be net of the number of attested Shares. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
(f) At the Committee’s discretion, the amount payable as a result of the exercise of a SAR may be settled in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares. A fractional Share shall not be deliverable upon the exercise of a SAR but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.
6.5 Ten Percent Stock Rule. Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan, if at the time an Option is otherwise to be granted pursuant to the Plan, the optionee or rights holder owns directly or indirectly (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) Shares of the Company possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of Stock of the Company or its parent or Subsidiary or Affiliate corporations (within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code), then any Incentive Stock Option to be granted to such optionee or
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rights holder pursuant to the Plan shall satisfy the requirement of Section 422(c)(5) of the Code, and the Exercise Price shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares of the Company, and such Option by its terms shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date such Option is granted.
Section 7. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.
7.1 General. The Committee may grant Restricted Stock, or the right to purchase Restricted Stock, to any Participant, subject to the Company’s right to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price from the Participant (or to require forfeiture of such shares) if conditions the Committee specifies in the Award Agreement are not satisfied before the end of the applicable restriction period or periods that the Committee establishes for such Award. In addition, the Committee may grant to Participants Restricted Stock Units, which may be subject to vesting and forfeiture conditions during the applicable restriction period or periods, as set forth in an Award Agreement. The Committee will determine and set forth in the Award Agreement the terms and conditions for each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Award, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in the Plan.
7.2 Restricted Stock.
(a) Voting Rights; Dividends. Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to all voting rights to which holders of unrestricted Shares are entitled and all ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Committee provides otherwise in the Award Agreement. In addition, unless the Committee provides otherwise, if any dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, or consist of a dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock of property other than an ordinary cash dividend, the Shares or other property will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
(b) Stock Certificates/Book Entry. At the time of a Restricted Share Award, a certificate representing the number of Shares awarded thereunder shall be registered in the name of the grantee. Such certificate shall be held by the Company or any custodian appointed by the Company for the account of the grantee subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and shall bear such a legend setting forth the restrictions imposed thereon as the Committee, in its discretion, may determine. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that a Participant’s ownership of Restricted Stock prior to the lapse of any transfer restrictions or any other applicable restrictions shall, in lieu of such certificates, be evidenced by a “book entry” (i.e., a computerized or manual entry) in the records of the Company or its designated agent in the name of the Participant who has received such Award, and confirmation and account statements sent to the Participant with respect to such book-entry Shares may bear the restrictive legend referenced in the preceding sentence. Such records of the Company or such agent shall, absent manifest error, be binding on all Participants who receive Restricted Share Awards evidenced in such manner. The holding of Restricted Stock by the Company or such agent, or the use of book entries to evidence the ownership of Restricted Stock, in accordance with this Section 7.2(a), shall not affect the rights of Participants as owners of the Restricted Stock awarded to them, nor affect
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the restrictions applicable to such shares under the Award Agreement or the Plan, including the transfer restrictions.
7.3 Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Settlement. The Committee may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units will occur upon or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Restricted Stock Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election, in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.
(b) Stockholder Rights. A Participant will have no rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to any Restricted Stock Unit unless and until the Shares are delivered in settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit.
(c) Dividend Equivalents. If the Committee provides, a grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide a Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents. Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, settled in cash or Shares and subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents are granted and subject to other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement.
Section 8. Performance Awards.
8.1 Grant. The Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Participants who shall receive a Performance Award, which shall consist of a right that is (i) denominated in cash or Shares (including but not limited to Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units), (ii) valued, as determined by the Committee, in accordance with the achievement of such performance goals during such performance periods as the Committee shall establish, and (iii) payable at such time and in such form as the Committee shall determine.
8.2 Terms and Conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the performance goals to be achieved during any performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any Performance Award and the amount and kind of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award, and may amend specific provisions of the Performance Award; provided, however, that such amendment may not adversely affect existing Performance Awards made within a performance period commencing prior to implementation of the amendment without the consent of the affected Participants. No Performance Award shall have a term in excess of ten (10) years.
8.3 Payment of Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the performance period or, in accordance with the procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, waive any performance goals and/or other terms and conditions relating to a Performance Award. A Participant’s rights to any Performance Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of in any manner, except
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by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and/or except as the Committee may determine at or after grant, but no transfers for consideration shall be permitted.
8.4 Performance Criteria. The Committee may grant Performance Awards to Participants based solely upon the attainment of performance targets related to one or more performance goals selected by the Committee from among the goals specified below.
(a) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization (EBITDA) or adjusted EBITDA;
(b) operating income or profit;
(c) operating efficiencies;
(d) return on equity, assets, capital, capital employed or investment;
(e) after tax operating income;
(f) net income;
(g) earnings or book value per Share;
(h) cash flow(s), funds from operations and adjusted funds from operations (as described from time to time in the Company’s financial statements);
(i) total sales or revenues or sales or revenues per employee;
(j) production (separate work units or SWUs);
(k) stock price or total shareholder return;
(l) dividends;
(m) debt reduction;
(n) strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified cost targets, business expansion goals and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures; or
(o) any combination thereof.
Each goal may be expressed on an absolute and/or relative basis, may be based on or otherwise employ comparisons based on internal targets, the past performance of the Company or any Subsidiary, operating unit, business segment or division of the Company and/or the past or current performance of other companies, and in the case of earnings-based measures, may use or employ comparisons relating to capital, shareholders’ equity and/or Shares outstanding, or to assets or net assets. The Committee may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under criteria set forth in this Section 8.4 to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a performance
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period: (i) asset impairments or write-downs, (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) any items that are “unusual in nature” or “infrequently occurring” within the meaning of generally accepted accounting principles or other extraordinary items that are included within management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) the effect of adverse governmental or regulatory action, or delays in governmental or regulatory action; (vii) any other event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management; and (viii) any other similar item or event selected by the Committee in its sole discretion. Adjustments made pursuant to this Section 8.4 shall not be considered an amendment for purposes of Section 8.2 or Section 13.2.
Section 9. Other Stock-Based Awards.
The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Participants who shall receive an Other Stock-Based Award, which shall consist of any right that is (i) not an Award described in Sections 6 or 7 above and (ii) an Award of Shares or an Award denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other Stock-Based Award. No Other Stock-Based Award shall have a term in excess of ten (10) years.
Section 10. Non-Employee Director Awards.
10.1 Awards Generally. The Board may provide that all or a portion of a Non-Employee Director’s annual retainer, meeting fees and/or other awards or compensation as determined by the Board, be payable (either automatically or at the election of a Non-Employee Director) in the form of Non-Qualified Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and/or Other Stock-Based Awards, including unrestricted Shares. The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Awards, including the terms and conditions which shall apply upon a termination of the Non-Employee Director’s Service Relationship, and shall have full power and authority in its discretion to administer such Awards, subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law. With respect to such Awards, all references in the Plan to the Committee shall be deemed to be references to the Board.
10.2 Non-Employee Director Limits. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the aggregate value of all compensation paid or granted, as applicable, to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any calendar year, including equity Awards granted and cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director, shall not exceed seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) in value, calculating the value of any equity Awards granted during such calendar year based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes. The Board may make exceptions to the applicable limit in this Section 10.3 for individual Non-Employee Directors in extraordinary circumstances, such as where any such individual Non-Employee Directors are serving on a special litigation or transactions committee of the Board, as
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the Board may determine in its discretion, provided that the Non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation involving such Non-Employee Director.
Section 11. Termination of Employment.
The Committee shall have the full power and authority to determine the terms and conditions that shall apply to any Award upon a termination of employment or other Service Relationship with the Company, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, including a termination by the Company with or without Cause, by a Participant voluntarily, or by reason of death, Disability or Retirement, and may provide such terms and conditions in the Award Agreement or in such rules and regulations as it may prescribe.
Section 12. Change in Control.
12.1 Assumption or Replacement of Awards by Successor. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or other contractual agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate) and the applicable Participant, in the event that the Company is subject to a Change in Control, outstanding Awards acquired under the Plan shall be subject to the agreement evidencing the Change in Control, which need not treat all outstanding Awards in an identical manner. Such agreement, without the Participant’s consent, shall provide for one or more of the following with respect to all outstanding Awards as of the effective date of such Change in Control:
(a) the continuation or assumption of an outstanding Award by the successor or acquiring entity (if any) of such Change in Control (or by its parents, if any), which continuation or assumption, will be binding on all selected Participants; provided that the exercise price and the number and nature of shares issuable upon exercise of any such Option or SAR, or any Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code and/or Section 409A of the Code, as applicable; provided further, that , if, within twelve months after the Company obtains actual knowledge that a Change in Control has occurred, a Participant’s Service Relationship is terminated by the Company or an Affiliate (or any of their successors) without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, all continued or assumed Awards of such Participant shall vest, become immediately exercisable and payable and have all restrictions lifted;
(b) the substitution by the successor or acquiring entity in such Change in Control (or by its parents, if any) of equivalent awards with substantially the same terms for such outstanding Awards (except that the exercise price and the number and nature of shares issuable upon exercise of any such Option or SAR, or any Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code and/or Section 409A of the Code, as applicable); provided that if, within twelve months after the Company obtains actual knowledge that a Change in Control has occurred, a Participant’s Service Relationship is terminated by the Company or an Affiliate (or any of their successors) without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, all substituted Awards of such Participant shall vest, become immediately exercisable and payable and have all restrictions lifted;
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(c) the full or partial acceleration of exercisability or vesting and accelerated expiration of an outstanding Award and lapse of the Company’s right to repurchase or re-acquire shares acquired under an Award or lapse of forfeiture rights with respect to shares acquired under an Award; and
(d) the settlement of the full value of such outstanding Award (whether or not then vested or exercisable) in cash, cash equivalents, or securities of the successor entity (or its parent, if any) with a Fair Market Value equal to the required amount, followed by the cancellation of such Awards; provided however, that such Award may be cancelled if such Award has no value, as determined by the Committee, in its discretion. Subject to Section 409A of the Code, such payment may be made in installments and may be deferred until the date or dates the Award would have become exercisable or vested. Such payment may be subject to vesting based on the Participant’s continued service, provided that the vesting schedule shall not be less favorable to the Participant than the schedule under which the Award would have become vested or exercisable. For purposes of this Section 12.1(e), the Fair Market Value of any security shall be determined without regard to any vesting conditions that may apply to such security.
The Board shall have full power and authority to assign the Company’s right to repurchase or re-acquire or forfeiture rights to such successor or acquiring corporation. In addition, in the event such successor or acquiring corporation (if any) refuses to assume, convert, replace or substitute Awards, as provided above, pursuant to a Change in Control, the Committee will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that such Award will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and such Award will terminate upon the expiration of such period. Awards need not be treated similarly in a Change in Control.
12.2 Assumption of Awards by the Company. The Company, from time to time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or otherwise, by either; (a) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution of such other company’s award; or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted under this Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award granted under this Plan. Such substitution or assumption will be permissible if the holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of this Plan to such grant. In the event the Company assumes an award granted by another company, the terms and conditions of such award will remain unchanged (except that the purchase price or the Exercise Price, as the case may be, and the number and nature of Shares issuable upon exercise or settlement of any such Award will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) and/or Section 409A of the Code). In the event the Company elects to grant a new Option in substitution rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted with a similarly adjusted Exercise Price.
12.3 Non-Employee Directors’ Awards. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, in the event of a Change in Control, the vesting of all Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors will accelerate and such Awards will become exercisable (as applicable) in full prior to the consummation of such event at such times and on such conditions as the Committee determines.
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Section 13. Amendment and Termination.
13.1 Amendments to the Plan. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time (and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code with regard to Awards subject thereto); provided that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement (including the rules and regulations of the principal securities market or exchange on which the Shares are traded) for which or with which the Board deems it necessary or desirable to comply.
13.2 Amendments to Awards. Subject to the restrictions of Section 6.2, the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively (and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code with regard to Awards subject thereto); provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary.
13.4 Recoupment of Awards. Any Award granted pursuant to this Plan shall be subject to mandatory repayment by the Participant to the Company (i) to the extent set forth in any Award Agreement, (ii) to the extent that such Participant is, or in the future becomes, subject to (a) any “clawback” or recoupment policy adopted by the Company or any Affiliate thereof to comply with the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations, including pursuant to final rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or otherwise, or (b) any applicable laws which impose mandatory recoupment, under circumstances set forth in such applicable laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Section 14. General Provisions.
14.1 Limited Transferability of Awards. No Award shall be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and/or, in the case of Non-Qualified Stock Options or SARs only, as may be provided by the Committee in its discretion at or after grant in the Award Agreement, but in no event shall an Award be transferred to a third party for consideration. No transfer of an Award by will or by laws of descent and distribution shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Company shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and an authenticated copy of the will and/or such other evidence as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate to establish the validity of the transfer.
14.2 Dividend Equivalents. Subject to Section 4.2, no dividend equivalent rights shall be granted with respect to Options or SARs, but in the sole and complete discretion of the Committee, any other Award may provide the Participant with dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, Shares, other securities or other property on a current or deferred basis. All dividend or dividend equivalents which are not paid currently may, at the Committee’s discretion, accrue interest, be reinvested into additional Shares, or, in the case of dividends or dividend equivalents credited in
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connection with Performance Awards, be credited as additional Performance Awards and paid to the Participant if and when, and to the extent that, payment is made pursuant to such Award.
14.3. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. No Award (or modification thereof) shall provide for deferral of compensation that does not comply with Section 409A of the Code unless the Committee, at the time of grant, specifically provides that the Award is not intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if one or more of the payments or benefits received or to be received by a Participant pursuant to an Award would cause the Participant to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code, the Committee may reform such provision to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of section 409A of the Code. In the event that it is reasonably determined by the Board or Committee that, as a result of Section 409A of the Code, payments in respect of any Award under the Plan may not be made at the time contemplated by the terms of the Plan or the relevant Award agreement, as the case may be, without causing the Participant holding such Award to be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the Company will make such payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant incurring any tax liability under Section 409A of the Code; which, if the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A, shall be the first day following the six-month period beginning on the date of Participant’s termination of employment. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or other document governing the issuance of such Award, payment of any Performance Award intended to qualify as a “short term deferral” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)(i) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations shall be made between the first day following the close of the applicable Performance Period and the last day of the “applicable 2 ½ month period” as defined therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on him or her, or in respect of any payment or benefit delivered in connection with the Plan (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and the Corporation shall not have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold any Participant harmless from any of such taxes or penalties.
14.4 No Rights to Awards. No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
14.5 Share Certificates. All certificates for Shares or other securities of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise 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 SEC or any state securities commission or regulatory authority, any stock exchange or other market upon which such Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable Federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
14.6 Withholding. A Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate and the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award
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or under the Plan, or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding or other tax-related obligations in respect of an Award, its exercise or any other transaction involving an Award, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may in its discretion permit a Participant to satisfy or arrange to satisfy, in whole or in part, the tax obligations incident to an Award by: (a) electing to have the Company withhold Shares or other property otherwise deliverable to such Participant pursuant to the Award (provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy required federal, state local and foreign withholding obligations using the maximum or other applicable statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income) and/or (b) tendering to the Company Shares owned by such Participant (or by such Participant and his or her spouse jointly) and purchased or held for the requisite period of time, in each case (x) as may be required to avoid the Company’s or the Affiliates’ or Subsidiaries’ incurring an adverse accounting charge and (y) based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the wage payment date as determined by the Committee. All such elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
14.7 Award Agreements. Each Award hereunder shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall be delivered to the Participant and may specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall prevail. The Committee shall, subject to applicable law, determine the date an Award is deemed to be granted. The Committee or, except to the extent prohibited under applicable law, its delegate(s) may establish the terms of agreements or other documents evidencing Awards under this Plan and may, but need not, require as a condition to any such agreement’s or document’s effectiveness that such agreement or document be executed by the Participant, including by electronic signature or other electronic indication of acceptance, and that such Participant agree to such further terms and conditions as specified in such agreement or document. The grant of an Award under this Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in this Plan as being applicable to such type of Award (or to all Awards) or as are expressly set forth in the agreement or other document evidencing such Award.
14.8 No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the grant of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or other types of Awards provided for hereunder.
14.9 No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate. Further, the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from
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employment, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement.
14.10 No Rights as Stockholder. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, no Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Award shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under the Plan until such person has become a holder of such Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with each grant of Restricted Stock hereunder, the applicable Award Agreement shall specify if and to what extent the Participant shall not be entitled to the rights of a stockholder in respect of such Restricted Stock.
14.11 Data Privacy. As a condition for receiving any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this section by and among the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates exclusively for implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including the Participant’s name, address and telephone number; birthdate; social security, insurance number or other identification number; salary; nationality; job title(s); any Shares held in the Company or its Subsidiaries and affiliates; and Award details, to implement, manage and administer the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary to implement, administer and manage a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data to third parties assisting the Company with Plan implementation, administration and management. These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any required Data transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data that the Company holds regarding such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data regarding such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data regarding the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents in this Section 14.11 in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents in this Section 14.11. For more information on the consequences of refusing or withdrawing consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
14.12 Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.
14.13 Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is, or becomes, or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would
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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 the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
14.14 Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation (including applicable non-U.S. laws or regulations) or entitle the Company to recover the same under Exchange Act Section 16(b), and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.
14.15 No Trust or Fund Created. 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 or any Subsidiary or Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
14.16 No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities or other property 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.
14.17 Headings. Headings are given to the sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.
Section 15. Term of the Plan.
15.1 Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective as of _______________, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), provided it has been approved by the Company’s shareholders.
15.2 Expiration Date. No new Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted hereunder may, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award shall, continue after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.
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