Santa Fe Snyder Corporation 2000 Incentive Stock Compensation Plan

Summary

Santa Fe Snyder Corporation established this Incentive Stock Compensation Plan in 2000 to encourage its officers, employees, directors, and consultants to acquire or increase their ownership in the company. The plan aims to align the interests of participants with those of shareholders, reward performance, and help attract and retain key personnel. It provides for various types of equity and cash awards, including stock options and bonus shares, subject to specific terms and conditions. The plan also outlines what constitutes a change in control of the company and the resulting effects on awards.

EX-10.A 2 0002.txt EXHIBIT 10.a SANTA FE SNYDER CORPORATION INCENTIVE STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN 2000 SECTION 1. Purpose of the Plan. The Santa Fe Snyder Corporation Incentive Stock Compensation Plan 2000 (the "Plan") is intended to promote the interests of Santa Fe Snyder Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), by encouraging officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates to acquire or increase their equity interest in the Company and to provide a means whereby they may develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in the development and financial success of the Company, and to encourage them to remain with and devote their best efforts to the business of the Company thereby advancing the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Plan is also contemplated to enhance the ability of the Company and its Affiliates to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Company. SECTION 2. Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any "parent corporation" of the Company (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) and any "subsidiary corporation" of any such corporation (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code), (ii) any entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company, and (iii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined by the Committee. "Award" shall mean any Option, Restricted Stock, Performance Award, Phantom Shares, Bonus Shares, Other Stock-Based Award or Cash Award. "Award Agreement" shall mean any agreement, contract, or other instrument or document (written or electronic) evidencing any Award, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a Participant. "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company. "Bonus Shares" shall mean an award of Shares granted pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Plan. "Cash Award" shall mean an award payable in cash granted pursuant to Section 6(f) of the Plan. "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events: (a) any "person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any affiliate, or any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; (b) during any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the effective date of the Plan), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (a), (c) or (d) of this Change in Control definition and excluding any individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either (i) an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act), or an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (hereinafter referred to as "Continuing Directors"), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; (c) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 60% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company (or such surviving entity) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (d) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets. For purposes of this clause (d), the term "the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets" shall mean a sale or other disposition transaction or series of related transactions involving assets of the Company or of any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company (including the stock of any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company) in which the value of the assets or stock being sold or otherwise disposed of (as measured by the purchase price being paid therefor or by such other method as the Board determines is appropriate in a case where there is no readily ascertainable purchase price) constitutes more than two-thirds of the "fair market value of the Company" (as hereinafter defined). For purposes of the preceding sentence, the "fair market value of the Company" shall be the aggregate market value of the Company's outstanding common stock (on a fully diluted basis) plus the aggregate market value of the Company's other outstanding equity securities. The aggregate market value of the Company's common stock shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares of the Company's common stock (on a fully diluted basis) outstanding on the date of the execution and delivery of a definitive agreement with respect to the transaction or series of related transactions (the "Transaction Date") by the average closing price for the Company's common stock for the ten trading days immediately preceding the Transaction Date. The aggregate market value of any other equity securities of the Company shall be determined in a manner similar to that prescribed in the immediately preceding sentence for determining the aggregate market value of the Company's common stock or by such other method as the Board shall determine is appropriate. However, notwithstanding anything in this clause (d) to the contrary, a spinoff or distribution of the stock of a subsidiary of the Company to those persons who were stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such spinoff or distribution in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of Company stock immediately prior to such spinoff or distribution shall not constitute a "sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets". "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations thereunder. "Committee" shall mean the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board. "Consultant" shall mean any individual, other than a Director or an Employee, who renders consulting services to the Company or an Affiliate for a fee. "Director" shall mean a "non-employee director" of the Company, as defined in Rule 16b-3. "Employee" shall mean any employee of the Company or an Affiliate. "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. "Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to Shares, the average of the high and low sales price of a Share on the applicable date (or if there is no trading in the Shares on such date, on the next preceding date on which there was trading) as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or other reporting service approved by the Committee). In the event the Shares are not publicly traded at the time a determination of its fair market value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of fair market value shall be made in good faith by the Committee. A-2 "Option" shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan. Options granted under the Plan may constitute "incentive stock options" for purposes of Section 422 of the Code or nonqualified stock options. "Other Stock-Based Award" shall mean an award granted pursuant to Section 6(g) of the Plan that is not otherwise specifically provided for, the value of which is based in whole or in part upon the value of a Share. "Participant" shall mean any Director, Employee or Consultant granted an Award under the Plan. "Performance Award" shall mean any right granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan. "Performance Objectives" means the objectives, if any, established by the Committee that are to be achieved with respect to an Award granted under this Plan, which may be described in terms of Company-wide objectives, in terms of objectives that are related to performance of a division, subsidiary, department or function within the Company or an Affiliate in which the Participant receiving the Award is employed or in individual or other terms, and which will relate to the period of time determined by the Committee. The Performance Objectives intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be with respect to one or more of the following: earnings per share; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses ("EBITDA"); earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT"); EBITDA, EBIT or earnings before taxes and unusual or nonrecurring items as measured either against the annual budget or as a ratio to revenue; market share; sales; costs; return on equity; operating cash flow; production volumes compared to plan or prior years; reserves added; discretionary cash flow; return on net capital employed; and stock price performance. Which objectives to use with respect to an Award, the weighting of the objectives if more than one is used, and whether the objective is to be measured against a Company-established budget or target, an index or a peer group of companies, shall be determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time of grant of the Award. A Performance Objective need not be based on an increase or a positive result and may include, for example, maintaining the status quo or limiting economic losses. "Person" shall mean individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or political subdivision thereof or other entity. "Phantom Shares" shall mean an Award of the right to receive Shares issued at the end of a Restricted Period which is granted pursuant to Section 6(e) of the Plan. "Restricted Period" shall mean the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award during which the Award either remains subject to forfeiture or is not exercisable by the Participant. "Restricted Stock" shall mean any Share, prior to the lapse of restrictions thereon, granted under Sections 6(b) of the Plan. "Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time. "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto. "Shares" or "Common Shares" or "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value, and such other securities or property as may become the subject of Awards under the Plan. SECTION 3. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of the members of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved by the members of the Committee in writing, shall be the acts of the Committee. Subject to the following, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan, including the power to grant Awards under the Plan, to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, subject to such limitations on such delegated powers and duties as the Committee may impose. Upon any such delegation all references in the Plan to the "Committee", other than in Section 8, shall be deemed to include the Chief Executive Officer; provided, however, that such delegation shall not limit the Chief Executive Officer's right to receive Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the A-3 foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer may not grant Awards to, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to, a person who is an officer or a member of 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 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 terms and conditions of any Award; (v) 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; (vi) 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; (vii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made under the Plan; (viii) 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 (ix) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. 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 Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, any stockholder and any Employee. SECTION 4. Shares Available for Awards. (a) Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the number of Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall be five million; provided, however, not more than two million of such five million Shares may be issued with respect to Restricted Stock, Performance Awards, Phantom Shares and Other Stock-Based Awards. If any Award is exercised, paid, forfeited, terminated or canceled without the delivery of Shares, then the Shares covered by such Award, to the extent of such payment, exercise, forfeiture, termination or cancellation, shall again be Shares with respect to which Awards may be granted. (b) 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 treasury Shares. (c) Adjustments. In the event that the Committee determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, 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 rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award. SECTION 5. Eligibility. Any Employee, Director or Consultant shall be eligible to be designated a Participant and receive an Award under the Plan. In addition, each Director shall receive Awards automatically as provided in Section 7. SECTION 6. Awards. (a) Options. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to determine the Participants to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each Option, the A-4 purchase price therefor and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option, including the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. (i) Exercise Price. The purchase price per Share purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is granted, but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value per Share on such grant date. (ii) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part (which may include the achievement of one or more Performance Objectives), and the method or methods by which, and the form or forms (which may include, without limitation, cash, check acceptable to the Company, Shares already-owned for more than six months, outstanding Awards, Shares that would otherwise be acquired upon exercise of the Option, a "cashless-broker" exercise through procedures approved by the Company, other securities or other property, loans, notes approved by the Committee, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price) in which payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made. (iii) Incentive Stock Options. The terms of any Option granted under the Plan intended to be an incentive stock option shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, and any regulations promulgated thereunder. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees of the Company and its parent corporation and subsidiary corporations, within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code. To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares (determined as of the date of grant) of an Option to the extent exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its parent and subsidiary corporations) exceeds $100,000, such Option Shares in excess of $100,000 shall be nonqualified stock options. (iv) Limits. The maximum number of Options that may be granted to any Participant during any calendar year shall not exceed 1.0 million Shares. (b) Restricted Stock. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to determine the Participants to whom Restricted Stock shall be granted, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock to be granted to each such Participant, the duration of the Restricted Period during which, and the conditions, including Performance Objectives, if any, under which if not achieved, the Restricted Stock may be forfeited to the Company, and the other terms and conditions of such Awards. Unless subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives or a special determination is made by the Committee as to a shorter Restricted Period, the Restricted Period shall not be less than three years. (i) Dividends. Dividends paid on Restricted Stock may be paid directly to the Participant, may be subject to risk of forfeiture and/or transfer restrictions during any period established by the Committee or sequestered and held in a bookkeeping cash account (with or without interest) or reinvested on an immediate or deferred basis in additional shares of Common Stock, which credit or shares may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Award or such other restrictions, all as determined by the Committee in its discretion. (ii) Registration. Any Restricted Stock may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall deem appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates. In the event any stock certificate is issued in respect of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan, such certificate shall be registered in the name of the Participant and may bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock or such legend may be noted in the records of the transfer agent. (iii) Forfeiture and Restrictions Lapse. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or the terms of the Award that granted the Restricted Stock, upon termination of a Participant's employment (as determined under criteria established by the Committee) for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all Restricted Stock shall be forfeited by the Participant and reacquired by the Company. Unrestricted Shares, evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall deem appropriate, shall be issued to the holder of Restricted Stock promptly after the applicable restrictions have lapsed or otherwise been satisfied. A-5 (iv) Transfer Restrictions. During the Restricted Period, Restricted Stock will be subject to the limitations on transfer as provided in Section 6(i)(iii). (v) Limits. The maximum number of Shares of Restricted Stock that may be granted to any Participant during any calendar year shall not exceed 500,000 shares. (c) Performance Awards. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Participants who shall receive a Performance Award, which shall be denominated as a cash amount (e.g., $100 per award unit) at the time of grant and confer on the Participant the right to receive payment of such Award, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of such Performance Objectives during such performance periods as the Committee shall establish with respect to the Award. (i) Terms and Conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the Performance Objectives to be achieved during any performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any Performance Award and the amount of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award. (ii) Payment of Performance Awards. Performance Awards, to the extent earned, shall be paid (in cash and/or in Shares, in the sole discretion of the Committee) in a lump sum following the close of the performance period. (iii) Limits. The maximum value of Performance Awards that may be granted to any Participant during any calendar year shall not exceed $1.0 million. (d) Bonus Shares. The Committee shall have the authority, in its discretion, to grant Bonus Shares to Participants. Each Bonus Share shall constitute a transfer of an unrestricted Share to the Participant, without other payment therefor, as additional compensation for the Participant's services to the Company. Bonus Shares shall be in lieu of a cash bonus that otherwise would be granted to the Participant. (e) Phantom Shares. The Committee shall have the authority to grant Awards of Phantom Shares to Participants upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine. (i) Terms and Conditions. Each Phantom Share Award shall constitute an agreement by the Company to issue or transfer a specified number of Shares or pay an amount of cash equal to a specified number of Shares, or a combination thereof to the Participant in the future, subject to the fulfillment during the Restricted Period of such conditions, including Performance Objectives, if any, as the Committee may specify at the date of grant. During the Restricted Period, the Participant shall not have any right to transfer any rights under the subject Award, shall not have any rights of ownership in the Phantom Shares and shall not have any right to vote such shares. (ii) Dividends. Any Phantom Share award may provide that amount equal to any or all dividends or other distributions paid on Shares during the Restricted Period be credited in a cash bookkeeping account (without interest) or that equivalent additional Phantom Shares be awarded, which account or shares may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Award or such other restrictions as the Committee may determine. (iii) Limits. The maximum number of Phantom Shares that may be granted to any Participant during any calendar year shall not exceed 500,000. (f) Cash Awards. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Participants to whom Cash Awards shall be granted, the amount, and the terms or conditions, if any, as additional compensation for the Participant's services to the Company or its Affiliates. A Cash Award may be granted (simultaneously or subsequently) separately or in tandem with another Award and may entitle a Participant to receive a specified amount of cash from the Company upon such other Award becoming taxable to the Participant, which cash amount may be based on a formula relating to the anticipated taxable income associated with such other Award and the payment of the Cash Award. (g) Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may grant to Participants an Other Stock-Based Award, which shall consist of a right which is an Award denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares as is deemed by the Committee to be consistent A-6 with the purposes of the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan, including the Performance Objectives, if any, applicable to such Award, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other Stock-Based Award. The maximum number of Shares or the value for which Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted to any Participant during any calendar year shall not exceed 500,000 shares, if the Award is in Shares, or $1.0 million, if the Award is denominated in dollars. (h) Replacement Awards. The Committee shall have the authority to grant an Award to any Participant conditioned upon such Participant canceling his or her rights with respect to a similar award granted to the Participant under another plan of the Company, including, without limitation, the Company's 1999 Retention Stock Compensation Plan. (i) General. (i) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards. (ii) Forms of Payment by Company Under Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan and of any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise or payment of an Award may be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or any combination thereof, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments. (iii) Limits on Transfer of Awards. (A) Except as provided in (C) below, each Award, and each right under any Award, shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant's lifetime, or by the person to whom the Participant's rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. (B) Except as provided in (C) below, no Award and no right under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or, in the case of Restricted Stock, to the Company) and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate. (C) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, to the extent specifically provided by the Committee with respect to a grant, a nonqualified stock option may be transferred to immediate family members or related family trusts, or similar entities on such terms and conditions as the Committee may establish. (iv) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee; provided, that in no event shall the term of any Award exceed a period of 10 years from the date of its grant. (v) Share Certificates. All certificates for Shares or other securities of the Company or any 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, any stock exchange 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. (vi) Consideration for Grants. Awards may be granted for no cash consideration or for such consideration as the Committee determines including, without limitation, such minimal cash consideration as may be required by applicable law. A-7 (vii) Delivery of Shares or other Securities and Payment by Participant of Consideration. No Shares or other securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including, without limitation, any exercise price, tax payment or tax withholding) is received by the Company. Such payment may be made by such method or methods and in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, withholding of Shares, cashless exercise with simultaneous sale, or any combination thereof; provided that the combined value, as determined by the Committee, of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Shares or other property so tendered to the Company, as of the date of such tender, is at least equal to the full amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement to the Company. SECTION 7. Automatic Director Awards. Each Director who is elected or appointed to the Board for the first time after the effective date of this Plan shall automatically receive, on the date of his or her election or appointment, a nonqualified Option for 10,000 shares of Common Stock. On the date of the regular Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company in each year that this Plan is in effect (commencing with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2000), each Director who is serving on that day, including a Director who was elected for the first time at such annual meeting, shall automatically receive the following: (a) Director Options. A nonqualified Option grant for 5,000 shares of Common Stock. Each such Option will be subject to all of the limitations contained in the following provisions: (i) Each such Director Option shall become exercisable (vested) six months and one day after its grant date. (ii) The purchase price of each Director Option shall be the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on its grant date. (iii) Each such Director Option may be exercised in full at one time or in part from time to time by giving written notice to the Company, stating the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Director Option is being exercised, accompanied by payment in full of the option purchase price for such shares, which payment may be (i) in cash by check acceptable to the Company, (ii) by the transfer to the Company of shares of Common Stock already owned by the optionee having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the date of exercise equal to the aggregate option purchase price, (iii) from the proceeds of a sale through a broker of some or all of the shares to which such exercise relates, or (iv) by a combination of such methods of payment. (iv) Each Director Option shall expire 10 years from the grant date thereof, but shall be subject to earlier termination as follows: (1) to the extent exercisable as of the date a Director ceases to serve as a director of the Company (the "Resignation Date"), the Director Option may be exercised only within three years of such Resignation Date by the Director or the Director's legal representative or the person to whom the Director's rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution, as the case may be, and to the extent not so exercised shall terminate on the third anniversary of the Resignation Date and (2) to the extent not exercisable as of the Resignation Date, the Director Option shall terminate on such Resignation Date. (b) Restricted Stock. A Restricted Stock Award for 4,000 shares of Common Stock. (i) The Restricted Period shall lapse on an Award of Restricted Stock granted to a Director pursuant to this Section upon the earlier of the date that is six months and one day after the grant date, the Director's death, termination from the Board either after reaching age 65 or due to a disability. If a Director ceases to be a member of the Board during a Restricted Period for any other reason, the Restricted Stock subject to such Restricted Period shall be forfeited. A-8 (ii) Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded hereunder shall be registered in the name of the Director and, during the Restricted Period, shall be left on deposit with the Company with a stock power endorsed in blank. Directors shall have the right to receive dividends paid on their Restricted Stock and to vote such shares. Restricted Stock may not be sold, pledged, assigned, transferred or encumbered during the Restricted Period other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In addition, each Director who is serving on the date of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2000 shall receive a grant of 2,000 Bonus Shares on that date. In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock available for automatic Director Awards under this Plan is insufficient to make all such automatic Awards provided for in this Section on the applicable date, then all Directors who are entitled to a grant on such date shall share ratably in the number of shares then available for grant under this Plan (Restricted Stock Awards shall be made first, then the Director Options), and shall have no right to receive a grant with respect to the deficiencies in the number of available shares and all future grants under this Section. SECTION 8. Amendment and Termination. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan: (a) Amendments to the Plan. Except as required by applicable law or the rules of the principal securities market on which the shares are traded and subject to paragraph (b) below, the Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan without the consent of any stockholder, Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or other Person; provided, however, no such amendment may be made without stockholder approval, if such amendment would (i) materially increase the number of Shares authorized under the Plan, but excluding any adjustment made pursuant to Section 4(c), or (ii) materially increase the Persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. (b) Amendments to Awards. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore granted, provided no change, other than pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d), in any Award shall reduce the benefit to Participant without the consent of such Participant. In addition, the Committee may not reduce the exercise price of an Option, except as provided in Section 4(c), without the approval of the stockholders of the Company. (c) Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. Subject to paragraph (d) below, the Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4(c) of the Plan) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. (d) Section 162(m). The Committee, in its sole discretion and without the consent of the Participant, may amend (i) any stock-based Award to reflect (1) a change in corporate capitalization, such as a stock split or dividend, (2) a corporate transaction, such as a corporate merger, a corporate consolidation, any corporate separation (including a spinoff or other distribution of stock or property by a corporation), any corporate reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368 of the Code), (3) any partial or complete corporate liquidation, or (4) a change in accounting rules required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and (ii) any Award that is not intended to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, to reflect any significant event that the Committee, in its sole discretion, believes to be appropriate to reflect the original intent in the grant of the Award. With respect to an Award that is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee (i) shall not take any action that would disqualify such Award and (ii) must first certify that the Performance Objectives, if applicable, have been achieved before the Award may be paid. A-9 SECTION 9. Change in Control. (a) Subject to paragraph (b) below, and except to the extent an Award Agreement expressly provides to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company all outstanding Awards automatically shall become fully vested immediately prior to such Change in Control (or such earlier time as set by the Committee), all restrictions, if any, with respect to such Awards shall lapse, all performance criteria, if any, with respect to such Awards shall be deemed to have been met at the target level, and unless the Company survives as an independent publicly traded company, all Options outstanding at the time of the event or transaction shall terminate, except to the extent provision is made in writing in connection with such event or transaction for the continuation of the Plan and/or the assumption of the Options theretofore granted, or for the substitution for such Options of new options covering the stock of a successor entity, or the parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares and exercise prices, in which event the Plan and Options theretofore granted shall continue in the manner and under the terms so provided. (b) If a Participant is a "disqualified individual" (as defined in Section 280G of the Code) and the accelerated vesting of an Award and/or the termination of the Restricted Period occurs with respect to a Change in Control, together with any other payments which the Participant has the right to receive from the Company and its Affiliates, whether or not under this Plan, would constitute a "parachute payment" (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), then, except to the extent such Participant has entered into an Award Agreement or a written severance or employment agreement with the Company that expressly provides for a "parachute tax gross-up", such accelerated vesting and/or termination of the Restricted Period provided under the paragraph above shall be reduced to the extent necessary (beginning with Options) so that the present value thereof (as determined for parachute purposes) to the Participant will be $1.00 less than three times the Participant's "base amount" (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), but only if such reduction produces a better net after-tax position to the Participant. Such determinations shall be made by the Company in good faith. SECTION 10. General Provisions. (a) No Rights to Awards. No Director, Employee, Consultant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees, Consultants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient. (b) Withholding. The Company or any Affiliate is authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, Shares that would otherwise be issued pursuant to such Award, other Awards or other property) of any applicable taxes payable in respect of an Award, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions thereon, 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. Notwithstanding the above, a Participant who is subject to Rule 16b-3 may direct the Company to satisfy such Participant's tax withholding obligation through the "constructive" tender of already-owned Shares or the withholding of Shares otherwise to be acquired upon the exercise or payment of such Award. (c) 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 Affiliate. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement. (d) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal law. (e) 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 disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed A-10 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. (f) 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 of transfer or such Shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, 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. (g) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor the 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 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 Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or any Affiliate. (h) 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. (i) 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 11. Designation of Beneficiary. Each Participant to whom an Award has been made under this Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries (which beneficiary may be an entity other than a natural person) to exercise any rights or receive any payment that under the terms of such Award may become exercisable or payable on or after the Participant's death. At any time, and from time to time, any such designation may be changed or cancelled by the Participant without the consent of any such beneficiary. Any such designation, change or cancellation must be on a form provided for that purpose by the Company and shall not be effective until received by the Company. If no beneficiary has been named by a deceased Participant, or the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the Participant, the beneficiary shall be the Participant's estate, If a Participant designates more than one beneficiary, any such exercise or payment under this Plan shall be made in equal shares unless the Participant has designated otherwise, in which case the exercise or payment shall be made in the shares designated by the Participant. SECTION 12. Effective Date of the Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Board; however, no Award may become exercisable or payable unless and until the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company at (1) the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or (2) if earlier, a special meeting of the stockholders at which the Plan is presented for approval by the stockholders. In the event such stockholder approval is not obtained, all Awards outstanding on such date, whichever is applicable, shall be automatically cancelled without payment. SECTION 13. Term of the Plan. No Award shall be granted under the Plan after the 10th anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted prior to such termination, 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 such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date. A-11