2014 Stock Incentive Plan

 

Affiliate means any entity, whether now or hereafter existing, which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company (including, but not limited to, joint ventures, limited liability companies and partnerships).  For this purpose, the term “control” shall mean ownership of 50% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of shares or interests in the entity, or the power to direct the management and policies of the entity, by contract or otherwise.

 

Agreement means a written agreement (including any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Company and a Participant specifying the terms and conditions of a Stock Award, an Incentive Award, an award of Performance Units, an Option or SAR granted to such Participant.

 

 

Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

 

“Change in Control” shall mean a change in control of the Company which will be deemed to have occurred after the date hereof if:

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an award under this Plan constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, no payment shall be made under such award on account of a Change in Control unless the occurrence of one or more of the preceding events also constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, all as determined in accordance with the regulations under Section 409A of the Code.

 

 

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and any amendments thereto.

 

 

Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board; provided, however, that if there is no Compensation Committee, then “Committee” means the Board; and provided, further that with respect to awards made to a member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, “Committee” means the Board.

 

 

Common Stock means common stock of the Company.

 

Company means Shenandoah Telecommunications Company.

 

 

Control Change Date means the date on which a Change in Control occurs.  If a Change in Control occurs on account of a series of transactions, the “Control Change Date” is the date of the last of such transactions.

 

 

Corresponding SAR means an SAR that is granted in relation to a particular Option and that can be exercised only upon the surrender to the Company, unexercised, of that portion of the Option to which the SAR relates.

 

 

Dividend Equivalent Right means the right, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the Committee, of a Participant to receive (or have credited) with respect to a specified number of Performance Units, cash, stock or other property in amounts equivalent to the cash, stock or other property dividends declared on Common Stock with respect to specified Performance Units as determined by the Committee in its discretion.  The Committee shall prescribe that Dividend Equivalent Rights (if any) payable with respect to Performance Units that do not vest based solely on account of continued employment or service shall be distributed only when, and to the extent that, the underlying Performance Units vest and may also provide that Dividend Equivalent Rights (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock or otherwise reinvested.

 

 

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

Fair Market Value means, on any given date, the reported “closing” price of a share of Common Stock as reported on the composite tape of the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading.  If, on any given date, the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, then Fair Market Value shall be the “closing” price of a share of Common Stock on such other exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted on any exchange, the amount determined by the Committee using any reasonable method in good faith and in accordance with the regulations under Section 409A of the Code.  If the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading but there is no reported sale of Common Stock on such day, then Fair Market Value shall be determined on the immediately preceding day on which sales of Common Stock are reported.

 

Incentive Award means an award under Article X which, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the Committee, entitles the Participant to receive a payment from the Company or an Affiliate.

 

 

Initial Value means, with respect to a Corresponding SAR, the option price per share of the related Option and, with respect to an SAR granted independently of an Option, the price per share of Common Stock as determined by the Committee on the date of grant; provided, however, that the price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.

 

 

Option means an option that entitles the holder to purchase from the Company a stated number of shares of Common Stock at the price set forth in an Agreement.

 

 

Participant means an employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, or a member of the Board, or an individual who provides bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate and who satisfies the requirements of Article IV and is selected by the Committee to receive an award of Performance Units, a Stock Award, an Incentive Award, an Option, SAR or a combination thereof.

 

 

Performance Goal means a performance objective that is stated with respect or relating to one or more of the following, alone or in combination: (i) total earnings before or after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (ii) net income; (iii) earnings growth; (iv) earnings per share of Common Stock; (v) sales; (vi) return on capital; (vii) revenue or revenue growth; (viii) return on assets; (ix) bad debt (x) Fair Market Value; (xi) service measures (i.e., dropped calls, trouble reports or churn); (xii) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (xiii) maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (xiv) cash flow; and (xv) total shareholder return (Common Stock price appreciation and dividends); (xvi) number of customers, accounts or both; and (xvii) operating income before depreciation and amortization (“OIBDA”).

A Performance Goal may be expressed on an absolute basis or relative to the performance of one or more similarly situated companies or a published index.  A Performance Goal may be stated with respect to the Company or, as applicable, an Affiliate, operating unit division, department or function.  When establishing Performance Goals, the Committee may exclude any or all special, unusual or extraordinary items as determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, including, without limitation, the charges or costs associated with restructurings of the Company, discontinued operations, other unusual or non-recurring items and the cumulative effects of accounting changes.  To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (for any award that is intended to constitute “performance based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee may also adjust the Performance Goals as it deems equitable in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company, changes in applicable tax laws or accounting principles or such other factors as the Committee may determine.

 

 

Performance Units means an award, in the amount determined by the Committee, stated with reference to a specified or determinable number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property, that in accordance with the terms of an Agreement entitles the holder to receive a payment for each specified unit equal to the value of the Performance Unit on the date of payment.

 

 

“Person” means any human being, firm, corporation, partnership, or other entity.  “Person” also includes any human being, firm, corporation, partnership, or other entity as defined in sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the term “Person” does not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Common Shares or (v) any person or group as used in Rule 13d-1(b) under the Exchange Act.

 

Plan means this Shenandoah Telecommunications Company 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

SAR means a stock appreciation right that in accordance with the terms of an Agreement entitles the holder to receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock encompassed by the exercise of the SAR, the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value at the time of exercise over the Initial Value.  References to “SARs” include both Corresponding SARs and SARs granted independently of Options, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

 

Stock Award means shares of Common Stock awarded to a Participant under Article VIII.

 

 

Ten Percent Stockholder means any individual owning more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (as such terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code) of the Company.  An individual shall be considered to own any shares of voting stock owned (directly or indirectly) by or for his or her brothers, sisters, spouse, ancestors or lineal descendants and shall be considered to own proportionately any shares of voting stock owned (directly or indirectly) by or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust of which such individual is a stockholder, partner or beneficiary.

 

The Plan is intended to assist the Company and its Affiliates in recruiting and retaining individuals with ability and initiative by enabling such persons or entities to participate in the future success of the Company and its Affiliates and to associate their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders.  The Plan is intended to permit the grant of both Options qualifying under Section 422 of the Code (“incentive stock options”) and Options not so qualifying, and the grant of SARs, Stock Awards, Incentive Awards and Performance Units in accordance with the Plan and any procedures that may be established by the Committee.  No Option that is intended to be an incentive stock option shall be invalid for failure to qualify as an incentive stock option.  The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to this Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  The Committee shall have authority to grant SARs, Stock Awards, Incentive Awards, Performance Units and Options upon such terms (not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan), as the Committee may consider appropriate.  Such terms may include conditions (in addition to those contained in this Plan), on the exercisability of all or any part of an Option or SAR or on the transferability or forfeitability of a Stock Award, an Incentive Award or an award of Performance Units.  Notwithstanding any such conditions, the Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the time at which any Option or SAR may be exercised, or the time at which a Stock Award or an Incentive Award may become transferable or nonforfeitable or the time at which an Incentive Award or an award of Performance Units may be settled.  In addition, the Committee shall have complete authority to interpret all provisions of this Plan; to prescribe the form of Agreements; to adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations pertaining to the administration of the Plan (including rules and regulations that require or allow Participants to defer the payment of benefits under the Plan); and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan.  The Committee’s determinations under the Plan (including without limitation, determinations of the individuals to receive awards under the Plan, the form, amount and timing of such awards, the terms and provisions of such awards and the Agreements) need not be uniform and may be made by the Committee selectively among individuals who receive, or are eligible to receive, awards under the Plan, whether or not such persons are similarly situated.  The express grant in the Plan of any specific power to the Committee shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.  Any decision made, or action taken, by the Committee in connection with the administration of this Plan shall be final and conclusive.  The members of the Committee shall not be liable for any act done in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Agreement, Option, SAR, Stock Award, Incentive Award or award of Performance Units.  All expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne by the Company.

The Committee, in its discretion, may delegate to one or more officers of the Company all or part of the Committee’s authority and duties with respect to grants and awards to individuals who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.  The Committee may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Committee’s delegate that were consistent with the terms of the Plan and the Committee’s prior delegation.  References to the “Committee” in the Plan include the Committee’s delegate to the extent consistent with the Committee’s delegation.

 

 

Upon the award of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award, an Other Equity-Based Award or in settlement of an award of Performance Units or Incentive Award, the Company may deliver to the Participant shares of Common Stock from its treasury shares or authorized but unissued Common Stock.  Upon the exercise of any Option, SAR or Other Equity-Based Award denominated in Common Stock, the Company may deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s broker if the Participant so directs), shares of Common Stock from its treasury shares or authorized but unissued Common Stock.

 

 

(a)            The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan pursuant to the exercise of Options and SARs, the grant of Stock Awards and the settlement of Performance Units and Incentive Awards is 1,500,000 shares.

(b)            The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan in accordance with Section 5.02(a) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XI.

(c)            The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of Options that are incentive stock options or Corresponding SARs that are related to incentive stock options shall be determined in accordance with Sections 5.02(a) and 5.02(b).

 

The maximum number of Options, SARs, Stock Awards or Performance Units that may be granted to an individual in any calendar year shall be (i) 5,000 shares of Common Stock (in the case of a Participant who is a member of the Board but who is not an employee of the Company or an Affiliate) and (ii) 100,000 shares of Common Stock in the case of other Participants.  For purposes of this Section 5.03, an Option and Corresponding SAR shall be treated as a single award.  The maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which a Participant may be granted Options, SARs, Stock Awards, Performance Units and Other Equity-Based Awards in any calendar year shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XI.

 

If any award or grant under the Plan expires, is forfeited or is terminated without having been exercised or is paid in cash without delivery of shares of Common Stock, then any shares of Common Stock covered by such lapsed, cancelled, expired, unexercised or cash-settled portion of such award or grant shall be available for the grant of other Options, SARs, Stock Awards, Other Equity-Based Awards and settlement of Performance Units and Incentive Awards under this Plan.  Any shares of Common Stock tendered or withheld to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation pursuant to any award granted under the Plan shall not increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for future grants or awards.  If an SAR is settled with shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the number of SARs exercised (rather than the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the SAR).

 

 

In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom an Option is to be granted and, subject to Section 5.03, will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such awards.

 

 

The price per share of Common Stock purchased on the exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date the Option is granted.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the price per share of Common Stock purchased on the exercise of any Option that is an incentive stock option granted to an individual who is a Ten Percent Stockholder on the date such option is granted, shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date the Option is granted.  Except as provided in Article XII, the price per share of an outstanding Option may not be reduced (by amendment, cancellation and new grant or otherwise) without the approval of stockholders.  In addition, no payment shall be made in cancellation of an Option without the approval of stockholders if, on the date of cancellation, the option price per share exceeds Fair Market Value.

 

The maximum period in which an Option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant except that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date such Option was granted.  In the case of an incentive stock option granted to a Participant who is a Ten Percent Stockholder on the date of grant, such Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.  The terms of any Option may provide that it is exercisable for a period less than such maximum period.

 

 

Except as provided in Section 6.05, each Option granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  In the event of any transfer of an Option (by the Participant or his transferee), the Option and any Corresponding SAR that relates to such Option must be transferred to the same person or persons or entity or entities.  Except as provided in Section 6.05, during the lifetime of the Participant to whom the Option is granted, the Option may be exercised only by the Participant.  No right or interest of a Participant in any Option shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant.

 

 

For purposes of determining the applicability of Section 422 of the Code (relating to incentive stock options), or in the event that the terms of any Option provide that it may be exercised only during employment or continued service or within a specified period of time after termination of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability, or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service.

 

 

Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, an Option may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such times and in compliance with such requirements as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that incentive stock options (granted under the Plan and all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) may not be first exercisable in a calendar year for Common Shares having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the date an Option is granted) exceeding $100,000.  An Option granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any number of whole shares less than the full number for which the Option could be exercised.  A partial exercise of an Option shall not affect the right to exercise the Option from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect to the remaining shares subject to the Option.  The exercise of an Option shall result in the termination of any Corresponding SAR to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.

 

Subject to rules established by the Committee and as provided in an Agreement, payment of all or part of the Option price may be made in cash, certified check, by tendering shares of Common Stock (including a deemed tender of shares effected by attestation of ownership of shares of Common Stock), by a broker-assisted cashless exercise or by a “net settlement” of the Option exercise, i.e., by issuance of the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is exercised minus the number of shares with a Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of exercise) equal to the aggregate option price or the aggregate option price plus the amount of the income and employment taxes required to be withheld.  If Common Stock is used to pay all or part of the Option price, the sum of the cash and cash equivalent and the Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of exercise) of the shares surrendered must not be less than the Option price of the shares for which the Option is being exercised.

 

 

No Participant shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to Common Shares subject to an Option until the date of exercise of such Option.

 

 

A Participant shall notify the Company of any sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that was an incentive stock option if such sale or disposition occurs (i) within two years of the grant of an Option or (ii) within one year of the issuance of the Common Stock to the Participant.  Such notice shall be in writing and directed to the Secretary of the Company.

 

 

In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom SARs are to be granted and will, subject to Section 5.03, specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such awards.  No Participant may be granted Corresponding SARs (under the Plan and all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) that are related to incentive stock options which are first exercisable in any calendar year for shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the related Option is granted) that exceeds $100,000.

 

The term of each SAR shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, except that no SAR shall have a term of more than ten years from the date of grant.  In the case of a Corresponding SAR that is related to an incentive stock option granted to a Participant who is a Ten Percent Stockholder on the date of grant, such Corresponding SAR shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant. The terms of any SAR may provide that it has a term that is less than such maximum period.

 

 

Except as provided in Section 7.04, each SAR granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  In the event of any such transfer, a Corresponding SAR and the related Option must be transferred to the same person or persons or entity or entities.  Except as provided in Section 7.04, during the lifetime of the Participant to whom the SAR is granted, the SAR may be exercised only by the Participant.  No right or interest of a Participant in any SAR shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant.

 

 

Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, an SAR may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such times and in compliance with such requirements as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that a Corresponding SAR that is related to an incentive stock option may be exercised only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and only when the Fair Market Value exceeds the option price of the related Option.  An SAR granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any number of whole shares less than the full number for which the SAR could be exercised.  A partial exercise of an SAR shall not affect the right to exercise the SAR from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect to the remaining shares subject to the SAR.  The exercise of a Corresponding SAR shall result in the termination of the related Option to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

 

 

If the terms of any SAR provide that it may be exercised only during employment or continued service or within a specified period of time after termination of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service.

 

At the Committee’s discretion, the amount payable as a result of the exercise of an SAR may be settled in cash, Common Stock, or a combination of cash and Common Stock.  No fractional share will be deliverable upon the exercise of an SAR but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.

 

 

No Participant shall, as a result of receiving an SAR, have any rights as a stockholder of the Company or any Affiliate until the date that the SAR is exercised and then only to the extent that the SAR is settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock.

 

 

Except as provided in Article XII, the Initial Value of an outstanding SAR may not be reduced (by amendment, cancellation and new grant or otherwise) without the approval of stockholders.  In addition, no payment shall be made in cancellation of a SAR without the approval of stockholders if, on the date of cancellation, the Initial Value exceeds Fair Market Value.

 

 

In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom a Stock Award is to be made and will, subject to Section 5.03, specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such awards.

 

 

The Committee, on the date of the award, may prescribe that a Participant’s rights in a Stock Award shall be forfeitable or otherwise restricted for a period of time or subject to such conditions as may be set forth in the Agreement.  By way of example and not of limitation, the Committee may prescribe that a Participant’s rights in a Stock Award shall be forfeitable or otherwise restricted subject to the attainment of objectives stated with reference to the Company’s, an Affiliate’s or a business unit’s attainment of objectives stated with respect to performance criteria established by the Committee, including the attainment of objectives stated with respect to one or more Performance Goals.

 

In the event that the terms of any Stock Award provide that shares may become transferable and nonforfeitable thereunder only after completion of a specified period of employment or continuous service, the Committee may decide in each case to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability, or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service.

 

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Agreement, while the shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Stock Award may be forfeited or are nontransferable, a Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to a Stock Award, including the right to receive dividends and vote the shares; provided, however, that dividends payable on shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award that does not become nonforfeitable and transferable solely on account of continued employment or service shall be distributed only when, and to the extent that, the underlying Stock Award is nonforfeitable and transferable and the Committee may provide that such dividends shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock.  During the period that the shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Stock Award may be forfeited or are nontransferable (i) a Participant may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of shares granted pursuant to a Stock Award, (ii) the Company shall retain custody of any certificates evidencing shares granted pursuant to a Stock Award, and (iii) the Participant will deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, with respect to each Stock Award.  The limitations set forth in the preceding sentence shall not apply after the shares granted under the Stock Award are transferable and are no longer forfeitable.

 

 

In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom an award of Performance Units is to be made and will, subject to Section 5.03, specify the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property covered by such awards or the formula by which the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property covered by such awards will be determined.  The Committee also will specify whether Dividend Equivalent Rights are granted in conjunction with the Performance Units.

 

The Committee, on the date of the grant of an award, may prescribe that a Participant’s rights in the Performance Units shall be forfeitable or otherwise restricted for a period of time or subject to such conditions as may be set forth in the Agreement.  By way of example and not of limitation, the Committee may prescribe that the Performance Units will be earned, and the Participant will be entitled to receive payment pursuant to the award of Performance Units, only upon the satisfaction of performance objectives and such other criteria as may be prescribed by the Committee, including the attainment of objectives stated with respect to one or more Performance Goals.

 

 

In the discretion of the Committee, the amount payable when an award of Performance Units is earned may be settled in cash, by the issuance of Common Stock, by the delivery of other securities or property or a combination thereof.  A fractional share of Common Stock shall not be deliverable when an award of Performance Units is earned, but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.  The amount payable when an award of Performance Units is earned shall be paid in a lump sum.

 

 

A Participant, as a result of receiving an award of Performance Units, shall not have any rights as a stockholder until, and then only to the extent that, the award of Performance Units is earned and settled in shares of Common Stock.  After an award of Performance Units is earned and settled in shares of Common Stock, a Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder as described in Section 8.04.

 

 

Except as provided in Section 9.06, Performance Units granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  No right or interest of a Participant in any Performance Units shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant.

 

 

In the event that the terms of any Performance Unit award provide that no payment will be made unless the Participant completes a stated period of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for government or military service, illness, temporary disability, or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service.

 

In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom an Incentive Award is to be made.  The amount payable under all Incentive Awards shall be finally determined by the Committee; provided, however, that the maximum amount payable to an individual under all Incentive Awards granted in the same calendar year is $1,500,000.

 

 

The Committee, at the time an Incentive Award is made, shall specify the terms and conditions that govern the award.  Such terms and conditions may prescribe that the Incentive Award shall be earned only to the extent that the Participant, the Company or an Affiliate, during a performance period of at least one year, achieves objectives stated with reference to one or more performance measures or criteria prescribed by the Committee, including the attainment of objectives stated with respect to one or more Performance Goals.  Such terms and conditions also may include other limitations on the payment of Incentive Awards including, by way of example and not of limitation, requirements that the Participant complete a specified period of employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate or that the Company, an Affiliate, or the Participant attain stated objectives or goals (in addition to those prescribed in accordance with the preceding sentence) as a prerequisite to payment under an Incentive Award.

 

 

Incentive Awards granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  No right or interest of a Participant in an Incentive Award shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant.

 

If the terms of an Incentive Award provide that a payment will be made thereunder only if the Participant completes a stated period of employment or continued service the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service.

 

An Incentive Award that is earned shall be settled with a single lump sum payment which may be in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and Common Stock, as determined by the Committee.

 

 

No participant shall, as a result of receiving an Incentive Award, have any rights as a stockholder of the Company or an Affiliate until the date that the Incentive Award is settled and then only to the extent that the Incentive Award is settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock.

 

The maximum number of shares of Common Stock as to which Options, SARs, Performance Units and Stock Awards may be granted, the individual grant limits in Section 5.03 and the terms of outstanding Stock Awards, Options, SARs, Incentive Awards and Performance Units shall be adjusted as determined by the Board in the event that (i) the Company (a) effects one or more nonreciprocal transactions between the Company and its stockholders such as a share dividend, extra-ordinary cash dividend, share split-up, subdivision or consolidation of shares that affects the number of shares or kind of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) or the Fair Market Value (or the value of other Company securities) and causes a change in the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to outstanding awards or (b) engages in a transaction to which Section 424 of the Code applies or (ii) there occurs any other event which, in the judgment of the Board necessitates such action.  Any determination made under this Article XI by the Board shall be final and conclusive.

 

The issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the maximum number of shares as to which Options, SARs, Performance Units and Stock Awards may be granted, the individual grant limits in Section 5.03 or the terms of outstanding Stock Awards, Options, SARs, Incentive Awards or Performance Units.

 

The Committee may make Stock Awards and may grant Options, SARs and Performance Units in substitution for performance shares, phantom shares, stock awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, or similar awards held by an individual who becomes an employee of the Company or an Affiliate in connection with a transaction described in the first paragraph of this Article XI.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than the limitation of Section 5.02), the terms of such substituted Stock Awards, SARs, Options or Performance Units shall be as the Committee, in its discretion, determines is appropriate.

No Option or SAR shall be exercisable, no shares of Common Stock shall be issued, no certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, and no payment shall be made under this Plan except in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations (including, without limitation, withholding tax requirements), any listing agreement to which the Company is a party, and the rules of all domestic stock exchanges on which the Company’s shares may be listed.  The Company shall have the right to rely on an opinion of its counsel as to such compliance.  Any certificate issued to evidence shares of Common Stock when a Stock Award is granted, a Performance Unit or Incentive Award is settled or for which an Option or SAR is exercised may bear such legends and statements as the Committee may deem advisable to assure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.  No Option or SAR shall be exercisable, no Stock Award or Performance Unit shall be granted, no Common Shares shall be issued, no certificate for Common Stock shall be delivered, and no payment shall be made under this Plan until the Company has obtained such consent or approval as the Committee may deem advisable from regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such matters.

 

 

Neither the adoption of this Plan, its operation, nor any documents describing or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof), shall confer upon any individual or entity any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate or in any way affect any right and power of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the employment or service of any individual or entity at any time with or without assigning a reason therefor.

 

 

This Plan, insofar as it provides for grants, shall be unfunded, and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by grants under this Plan.  Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any grant under this Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to this Plan.  No such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or other encumbrance on, any property of the Company.

 

Headings are given to the articles and sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  The reference to any statute, regulation, or other provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.

 

All awards made under this Plan are intended to comply with, or otherwise be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”), after giving effect to the exemptions in Treasury Regulation sections 1.409A-1(b)(3) through (b)(12).  This Plan and all Agreements shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with Section 409A.  If any provision of this Plan or any Agreement is found not to comply with, or otherwise not be exempt from, the provisions of Section 409A, it shall be modified and given effect, in the sole discretion of the Committee and without requiring the Participant’s consent, in such manner as the Committee determines to be necessary or appropriate to comply with, or effectuate an exemption from, Section 409A.  Each payment under an award granted under this Plan shall be treated as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A.

 

If a payment obligation under an award or an Agreement arises on account of the Participant’s termination of employment and such payment obligation constitutes “deferred compensation” (as defined under Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(1), after giving effect to the exemptions in Treasury Regulation sections 1.409A-1(b)(3) through (b)(12)), it shall be payable only after the Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined under Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(h)); provided, however, that if the Participant is a “specified employee” (as defined under Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(i)), any such payment that is scheduled to be paid within six months after such separation from service shall accrue without interest and shall be paid on the first day of the seventh month beginning after the date of the Participant’s separation from service or, if earlier, within fifteen days after the appointment of the personal representative or executor of the Participant’s estate following the Participant’s death.

 

 

Each Participant shall be responsible for satisfying any income and employment tax withholding obligations attributable to participation in the Plan.  Unless otherwise provided by the Agreement, any such withholding tax obligations may be satisfied in cash (including from any cash payable in settlement of an award of Performance Units, SARs or Incentive Awards or a cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee.  Any minimum statutory federal, state, district or city withholding tax obligations also may be satisfied (a) by surrendering to the Company shares of Common Stock previously acquired by the Participant; (b) by authorizing the Company to withhold or reduce the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon the exercise of an Option or SAR, the settlement of a Performance Unit award or Incentive Award (if applicable) or the grant or vesting of a Stock Award; or (c) by any other method as may be approved by the Committee.  If shares of Common Stock are used to pay all or part of such withholding tax obligation, the Fair Market Value of the shares surrendered, withheld or reduced shall be determined as of the day the tax liability arises.

 

Each Stock Award, Option, SAR, Performance Unit award and Incentive Award granted under the Plan, as amended and restated herein, is subject to the condition that the Company may require that such award be returned and that any payment made with respect to such award must be repaid if such action is required under the terms of any Company “clawback” policy as in effect on the date that the payment was made, on the date the award was granted or, as applicable, the date the Option or SAR was exercised or the date the Stock Award or Performance Unit award is vested or earned.

 

 

Upon a Change in Control, the Committee is authorized to cause (i) outstanding Options and SARs to become exercisable with respect to some or all of the shares of Common Stock covered by the awards, (ii) outstanding Stock Awards to become transferable and nonforfeitable with respect to some or all of the shares of Common Stock covered by the awards and (iii) outstanding Performance Units and Incentive Awards to become earned and nonforfeitable in whole or in part.

 

 

In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee, in its discretion and without the need for a Participant’s consent, may provide that an outstanding Option, SAR, Incentive Award, Stock Award or Performance Unit shall be assumed by, or a substitute award granted by, the surviving entity in the Change in Control.  Such assumed or substituted award shall be of the same type of award as the original Option, SAR, Incentive Award, Stock Award or Performance Unit being assumed or substituted.  The assumed or substituted award shall have an intrinsic value, as of the Control Change Date, that is substantially equal to the intrinsic value of the original award (or the difference between the Fair Market Value and the option price or Initial Value in the case of Options and SARs) as the Committee determines is equitably required and such other terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee.

 

In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee, in its discretion and without the need of a Participant’s consent, may provide that each Option, SAR, Incentive Award, Stock Award and Performance Unit shall be cancelled, in whole or in part, in exchange for a payment.  The payment may be in cash, shares of Common Stock or other securities or consideration received by stockholders in the Change in Control transaction.  The amount of the cancellation payment shall be an amount that is substantially equal to (i) the amount by which the price per share received by stockholders in the Change in Control exceeds the option price or Initial Value in the case of an Option and SAR, (ii) the price per share received by stockholders for each share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award or Performance Unit, (iii) the value of the other securities or property in which the Performance Unit is denominated or (iv) the amount payable under an Incentive Award on account of meeting all Performance Goals or other performance objectives.  If the option price or Initial Value exceeds the price per share received by stockholders in the Change in Control transaction, the Option or SAR may be cancelled under this Section 14.03 or 14.04 without any payment to the Participant.

 

 

The benefits that a Participant may be entitled to receive under this Plan and other benefits that a Participant is entitled to receive under other plans, agreements and arrangements (which, together with the benefits provided under this Plan, are referred to as “Payments”), may constitute Parachute Payments that are subject to Code Sections 280G and 4999.  As provided in this Section 14.04, the Parachute Payments will be reduced if, and only to the extent that, a reduction will allow a Participant to receive a greater Net After Tax Amount than a Participant would receive absent a reduction.

 

The Accounting Firm will first determine the amount of any Parachute Payments that are payable to a Participant.  The Accounting Firm also will determine the Net After Tax Amount attributable to the Participant’s total Parachute Payments.

 

The Accounting Firm will next determine the largest amount of Payments that may be made to the Participant without subjecting the Participant to tax under Code Section 4999 (the “Capped Payments”).  Thereafter, the Accounting Firm will determine the Net After Tax Amount attributable to the Capped Payments.

 

The Participant will receive the total Parachute Payments or the Capped Payments, whichever provides the Participant with the higher Net After Tax Amount.  If the Participant will receive the Capped Payments, the total Parachute Payments will be adjusted by first reducing the amount of any noncash benefits under this Plan or any other plan, agreement or arrangement (with the source of the reduction to be directed by the Participant) and then by reducing the amount of any cash benefits under this Plan or any other plan, agreement or arrangement (with the source of the reduction to be directed by the Participant).  The Accounting Firm will notify the Participant and the Company if it determines that the Parachute Payments must be reduced to the Capped Payments and will send the Participant and the Company a copy of its detailed calculations supporting that determination.

As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999 at the time that the Accounting Firm makes its determinations under this Section 14.04, it is possible that amounts will have been paid or distributed to the Participant that should not have been paid or distributed under this Section 14.04 (“Overpayments”), or that additional amounts should be paid or distributed to the Participant under this Section 14.04 (“Underpayments”).  If the Accounting Firm determines, based on either the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against the Company or the Participant, which assertion the Accounting Firm believes has a high probability of success or controlling precedent or substantial authority, that an Overpayment has been made, the Participant must repay to the Company, without interest; provided, however, that no loan will be deemed to have been made and no amount will be payable by the Participant to the Company unless, and then only to the extent that, the deemed loan and payment would either reduce the amount on which the Participant is subject to tax under Code Section 4999 or generate a refund of tax imposed under Code Section 4999.  If the Accounting Firm determines, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, that an Underpayment has occurred, the Accounting Firm will notify the Participant and the Company of that determination and the amount of that Underpayment will be paid to the Participant promptly by the Company.

 

For purposes of this Section 14.04, the term “Accounting Firm” means the independent accounting firm engaged by the Company immediately before the Control Change Date.  For purposes of this Section 14.04, the term “Net After Tax Amount” means the amount of any Parachute Payments or Capped Payments, as applicable, net of taxes imposed under Code Sections 1, 3101(b) and 4999 and any State or local income taxes applicable to the Participant on the date of payment.  The determination of the Net After Tax Amount shall be made using the highest combined effective rate imposed by the foregoing taxes on income of the same character as the Parachute Payments or Capped Payments, as applicable, in effect on the date of payment.  For purposes of this Section 14.04, the term “Parachute Payment” means a payment that is described in Code Section 280G(b)(2), determined in accordance with Code Section 280G and the regulations promulgated or proposed thereunder.

The Board may amend or terminate this Plan at any time; provided, however, that no amendment may adversely impair the rights of a Participant with respect to outstanding awards without the Participant’s consent.  In addition, an amendment will be contingent on approval of the Company’s stockholders if such approval is required by law or the rules of any exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or if the amendment would materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, materially increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan or materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan.

 

No Stock Award, Performance Unit award, Incentive Award, Option or SAR may be granted under this Plan after February 18, 2024.  Stock Awards, Performance Unit awards, Incentive Awards, Options and SARs granted before such date shall remain valid in accordance with their terms.

 

Options, SARs, Stock Awards, Performance Units and Incentive Awards may be granted under this Plan on and after the date that the Plan is adopted by the Board, provided that, this Plan shall not be effective unless the votes cast in favor of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company exceed the votes cast opposing such proposal at a duly constituted meeting of the stockholders of the Company.