Sincerely,
/s/ Janet H. Slade Janet H. Slade Chairman of the Board |
/s/ Robert L. Bauman Robert L. Bauman President and Chief Executive Officer |
1. To fix the number of Directors at eight and elect seven Directors; andOnly shareholders of record, as of the close of business on January 4, 2010, will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at this meeting.
2. To ratify the selection of the independent auditor for 2010; and
3. To approve and adopt the 2010 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors.
/s/ Robert L. Bauman Robert L. Bauman President and Chief Executive Officer |
Title of Class |
Name and Business Address
of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned (1) |
Percent
of Class |
Common Shares,
$1.00 par value, Class A and Class B |
Janet H. Slade (2)
5862 Briar Hill Drive Solon, Ohio 44139 |
9,253
Class
A (3)
94,642 Class B (4) |
1.2%
20.8% |
|
Gretchen L. Hickok (2)
3445 Park East, Apt. A203 Solon, Ohio 44139 |
1,500
Class
A
115,056 Class B |
*
25.3%
|
|
Patricia H. Aplin (2)
7404 Camale Drive Pensacola, Florida 32504 |
4,994
Class
A (5)
118,042 Class B (5) |
*
25.9%
|
|
Robert L. Bauman
10514 Dupont Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44108 |
60,413
Class
A (6)
127,126 Class B (7) |
7.5%
28.0% |
|
Glaubman Rosenberg & Robotti
Fund, L.P. 708 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10014 |
78,614
Class A (8)
|
9.9%
|
|
Robert E. Robotti
52 Vanderbilt Avenue New York, New York 10017 |
104,339
Class
A (9)
|
13.2%
|
|
Steven Tannenbaum
420 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116 |
76,050 Class A (10)
|
9.6%
|
|
All Directors and Executive
Officers as a group (9 persons) |
214,615 Class A (11)
221,768 Class B |
24.9%
48.8% |
* Less than one percent
|
|
|
|
Name and Age
|
Business Experience (1) |
Year in which first elected Director |
|
Common
Shares (2) beneficially owned as of January 4, 2010 |
Percent of class beneficially owned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert L. Bauman (3)
Age: 69 |
President and Chief Executive
Officer
of
the Company since July 1993; Chairman of the Company from July 1993 to May 2001 |
1980
|
|
60,413 (4)
Class A 127,126 (5) Class B |
7.5%
28.0% |
T. Harold Hudson
Age: 70 |
President, AAPRA Associates,
LLC,
(con-
sulting firm) since June 1999; Senior Vice President of Engineering and Design of Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. for five years prior to June 1999 |
1992
|
|
12,500 (6)
Class A |
1.6%
|
James T. Martin
Age: 78 |
Consultant, self employed, since
Septem-
ber 1997; President and Chief Executive Officer, Meaden & Moore, Ltd. (regional, Cleveland based CPA firm) for five years prior to September 1997 |
1999
|
|
9,900 (7)
Class A |
1.2%
|
Michael L. Miller
Age: 68 |
Retired Partner of Calfee,
Halter
&
Griswold LLP, the Company's Legal Counsel. Mr. Miller became a Partner of the firm in January 1972 |
1992
|
|
14,000 (7)
Class A |
1.7%
|
Hugh S. Seaholm
Age: 58 |
President and Chief Executive
Officer,
Universal Metal Products, Inc. (custom metal stamping manufacturer) since Janu- ary 1987 |
2002
|
|
6,000 (8)
Class A |
*
|
Janet H. Slade
Age: 66 |
Chairman of the Company since
May
2001; Private Investor for five years prior to May 2001 |
1992
|
|
9,253 (7) (9)
Class A 94,642 (10) Class B |
1.2%
20.8% |
Kirin M. Smith
Age: 31 |
Managing Partner of the
Glaubman, Rosenberg & Robotti Fund, L.P. (fundamental equity
investment fund) since November 2005; Assistant Vice President,
Financial Dynamics (business and financial communications
consultancies) for five years prior to November 2005
|
2009
|
|
84,549 (11) Class A
|
10.7%
|
* Less than one percent
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Committee (1)
James T. Martin Hugh S. Seaholm |
Compensation Committee (1)
James T. Martin Michael L. Miller |
|
Name (a) |
Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash
(b)
|
Option
Awards (1) (d) |
Total (h) |
|
T. Harold Hudson
|
$4,500
|
$3,215
|
$7,715
|
|
James T. Martin
|
5,250
|
3,215
|
8,465
|
|
Michael L. Miller
|
4,500
|
3,215
|
7,715
|
|
Jim
N. Moreland
|
1,500
|
-0-
|
1,500
|
|
Hugh S. Seaholm
|
4,500
|
3,215
|
7,715
|
|
Janet H. Slade
|
28,665
|
3,215
|
31,880
|
|
Kirin M. Smith
|
750
|
-0-
|
750
|
|
|
$49,665
|
$16,075
|
$65,740
|
|
|
2009
|
2008
|
Audit Fees
|
$81,800 |
$78,400
|
Audit-Related Fees |
-0-
|
700
|
Tax Fees
|
8,600
|
10,500
|
All Other Fees
|
6,500
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
$96,900
|
$94,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position (a) |
Year (b) |
Salary (c) |
Bonus (1) (d) |
Option
Awards
(f)
|
All
Other Compensation
(i)
|
Total
(j) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert L. Bauman,
President & Chief Executive Officer |
2009
2008 |
$163,850
(2)
$260,400 (3) |
0
0 |
0 (4)
0 (4)
|
$229 (5)
$229 (5) |
$164,079
$260,629 |
Thomas F. Bauman,
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing |
2009
2008 |
$106,375
$147,813 |
0
0 |
0 (4)
0 (4)
|
$4,340 (6)
$4,396 (6) |
$110,715
$152,209 |
William A. Bruner,
Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Operations |
2009
2008 |
$83,300
$97,250 |
0
0 |
0 (4)
0 (4) |
$229 (7)
$762 (7) |
$83,529
$98,012 |
Gregory M. Zoloty,
Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer |
2009
2008 |
$83,300
$97,250 |
0
0 |
0 (4)
0 (4) |
$258 (8)
$258 (8) |
$83,558
$97,508 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
|
||
Name (a) |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable (b) |
Option Exercise Price ($) (c) |
Option Expiration Date (f) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert L. Bauman
|
5,000
5,000 10,000 |
5.00
3.125 3.55 |
12/31/2009 (1)
12/31/2010 3/01/2012 |
|
|
|
Thomas F. Bauman
|
0
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
William A. Bruner
|
3,000
3,000 6,000 |
5.00
3.125 3.55 |
12/31/2009 (1)
12/31/2010 3/01/2012 |
|
|
|
Gregory M. Zoloty
|
2,000
3,000 6,000 |
5.00
3.125 3.55 |
12/31/2009 (1)
12/31/2010 3/01/2012 |
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
Plan category
|
Number of securities
to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted average
exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities
remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|
|||
Equity compensation
plans approved by security holders |
90,400
|
$4.69
|
47,200
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved by security holders |
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
90,400
|
|
47,200
|
SEPTEMBER 30
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HICKOK
|
$100
|
$93
|
$112
|
$244
|
$171
|
$95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NASDAQ COMPOSITE
|
100
|
113
|
119
|
143
|
110
|
111
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NASDAQ INDUSTRIAL
|
100
|
113
|
121
|
145
|
106
|
103
|
PROPOSAL RELATING TO 2010 OUTSIDE DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN
Background
The purpose of the Plan is to provide each of the Company’s non-employee Directors an added incentive to continue in the service of the Company and a more direct interest in the future success of the Company’s operations. The Plan also may help the Company attract outstanding individuals to become Directors of the Company. For these reasons, the Board adopted the 2010 Outside Directors Plan, subject to shareholder approval. Accordingly, the Board of Directors and management believe that approval of the Plan is in the best interests of the Company and recommend that shareholders vote in favor of the proposal.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the combined outstanding Class A and Class B Common Shares entitled to vote present in person or by proxy at the meeting is required for the adoption of the 2010 Outside Directors Plan. Thus, shareholders who vote to abstain will in effect be voting against the proposal. Brokers who hold Class A Common Shares as nominees will have discretionary authority to vote such shares if they have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owners by the tenth day before the meeting, provided that this Proxy Statement is transmitted to the beneficial owners at least 15 days before the meeting. Broker non-votes, however, are not counted as present for determining whether this proposal has been approved and have no effect on its outcome.
The following is a summary of the principal features of the 2010 Outside Directors Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan. A copy of the Plan is attached hereto as Appendix A.
General
The 2010 Outside Directors Plan provides for the issuance of options to purchase a maximum of an aggregate of 21,000 Class A Common Shares of the Company to Directors who are not also employees of the Company or any subsidiary (“Outside Directors”). There are presently six eligible Outside Directors. The Plan will terminate on the second business day after the Company's regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected in 2012, unless earlier terminated by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Grants of Options
If the Plan is approved by shareholders, on the “Effective Date” of the Plan, each Outside Director will be granted an option to purchase 1,000 Class A Common Shares at the then fair market value calculated by reference to the closing price of the Class A Common Shares on the NASDAQ Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board Market; provided, however, that under no circumstances will any option be awarded that is exercisable at a price less than $2.925 per share. Thereafter, on the first business day immediately following the date of each of the Company's regular meetings of shareholders at which directors are elected, commencing with the meeting to be held in 2011 and through the meeting in 2012, each Outside Director then serving in such capacity will receive an automatic grant of an option to purchase 1,000 shares of Class A Common Shares at the then fair market value.
Securities Subject to the 2010 Outside Directors Plan
Terminations of Directorship and Changes in Control
Income Tax Treatment
The Company has been advised that under current law certain of the income tax consequences under the laws of the United States to Outside Directors and the Company of options granted under the 2010 Outside Directors Plan generally should be as set forth in the following summary. The summary only addresses income tax consequences for Outside Directors and the Company.
The options granted under the Plan shall be non-qualified options for federal income tax purposes. An Outside Director to whom an option is granted will not recognize income at the time of grant of such option. When such Outside Director exercises such non-qualified option, the Outside Director will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the difference, if any, between the option price paid and the fair market value, as of the date of option exercise, of the shares the Outside Director receives. The tax basis of such shares to such Outside Director will be equal to the option price paid, and the Outside Director’s holding period for such shares will commence on the day on which the Outside Director recognized taxable income in respect of such shares. Subject to applicable provisions of the Code and regulations thereunder, the Company will generally be entitled to a federal income tax deduction in respect of non-qualified options in an amount equal to the ordinary compensation income recognized by the Outside Director.
The discussion set forth above does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax consequences relevant to recipients of options or the Company or to describe tax consequences based on particular circumstances. It is based on United States federal income tax law and interpretational authorities as of the date of this Proxy Statement, which are subject to change at any time. The discussion does not address state or local income tax consequences or income tax consequences for taxpayers who are not subject to taxation in the United States.
New Plan Benefits
Hickok Incorporated 2010 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan
Name and Position
|
Dollar Value (1)
|
Number of Units
|
Non-Executive
Director Group
|
(1)
|
18,000
(2)
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert L. Bauman
Robert L. Bauman President and Chief Executive Officer |
HICKOK INCORPORATED
2010 OUTSIDE DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN
Hickok Incorporated hereby adopts a stock option plan for the benefit of Outside Directors and subject to the terms and provisions set forth below.
Article 1. Definitions
Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
(a) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon:
(i) The acquisition of beneficial ownership of thirty percent (30%) of the Company’s Shares by a person or group of persons under common control unless such acquisition is approved by the Board; or
(ii) A change in the membership of the Board at any time during any twelve (12) month period such that, following such change, at least thirty percent (30%) of the members of the Board were not members of the Board at the start of such twelve (12) month period but only if the election of such new members of the Board was not approved by at least three-quarters (3/4) of the Directors who were either sitting at the beginning of such twelve (12) month period or elected to the Board during such twelve (12) month period with the approval of three-quarters (3/4) of the Directors who were sitting at the beginning of such twelve (12) month period.
(c) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(d) “Company” means Hickok Incorporated, an Ohio corporation, or any successor thereto.
(e) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(f) “Disability” means a Participant’s inability, due to a physical or mental condition, to continue to serve as a member of the Board, as determined by the Board pursuant to written certification of such Disability from a physician acceptable to the Board.
(g) “Effective Date” means February 25, 2010, subject to ratification by an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting capital stock of the Company.
(h) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto.
(i) “Fair Market Value” means (a) if the Shares are listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange or the NASDAQ Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board Market, the closing price of the Shares on the date the fair market value of the Shares is being determined, or, if no sale has occurred on such date, on the most recent preceding day on which there is a closing price of the Shares, or (b) in all other circumstances, the value determined by the Board after obtaining an appraisal by one or more independent appraisers meeting the requirements of regulations issued under Section 170(a)(1) of the Code.
(j) “Option” means an option to purchase Shares granted under Article 4 herein.
(k) “Option Agreement” means an agreement, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Option.
(l) “Option Price” shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share at the close of the date the Option is granted; provided, however, that under no circumstances will the Option Price be lower than $2.925 per share.
(m) “Outside Director” means a Director who is not employed by the Company or a Subsidiary.
(n) “Participant” means an Outside Director who has been granted an Option.
(o) “Plan” means the Hickok Incorporated 2010 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan.
(p) “Shares” means the Class A Common Shares, $1.00 par value, of the Company.
(q) “Subsidiary” means any corporation, at least fifty percent (50%) of the common stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by the Company.
Article 2. Establishment, Purpose and Duration
2.1 Establishment of the Plan. The Company hereby establishes the Plan as set forth herein.
2.2 Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to provide the Outside Directors with greater incentive to serve and promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders. The premise of the Plan is that, if such Outside Directors acquire a proprietary interest in the Company or increase such proprietary interest as they may already hold, then the incentive of such Outside Directors to work toward the Company’s continued success will be commensurately increased. Accordingly, the Company will, from time to time during the effective period of the Plan, grant to the Outside Directors Options on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Plan.
2.3 Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall commence on the Effective Date and shall remain in effect until the second business day after the Company's regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected in 2012, unless earlier terminated by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Article 3. Shares Subject to the Plan
3.1 Number of Shares. The total number of Shares available for grant under the Plan shall be Twenty-One Thousand (21,000). These Shares may be either authorized but unissued, treasury Shares or reacquired Shares. The grant of an Option shall reduce the Shares available for grant under the Plan by the number of Shares subject to such Option. To the extent that an Option is settled in cash rather than in Shares, the authorized Share pool shall be reduced by the appropriate number of Shares represented by the cash settlement of the Option, as determined by the Board (subject to the limitation set forth in Section 3.2 herein).
3.2 Lapsed Options. If any Option granted under this Plan is canceled, terminates, expires or lapses for any reason, any Shares subject to such Option again shall be available for the grant of an Option under the Plan. However, in the event that prior to the Option’s cancellation, termination, expiration, or lapse, the holder of the Option at any time received one or more “benefits of ownership” pursuant to such Option (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to any rule or interpretation promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act), the Shares subject to such Option shall not be made available for regrant under the Plan.
3.3 Adjustments in Authorized Shares. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, separation, liquidation, share split, share dividend, split-up, share combination, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company, the Board, in its sole discretion, shall make such adjustments as are necessary and appropriate in the exercise prices, number of Shares issuable upon exercise and/or the class of Shares issuable upon exercise of all then outstanding Options, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights of the holders of Options under the Plan; and provided that the number of Shares attributable to any Option shall always be a whole number.
Article 4. Grant of Options
4.1 Grant of Options to Outside Directors. On the Effective Date each Outside Director shall be granted an Option to purchase One Thousand (1,000) Shares at the Option Price. Thereafter, on the first business day immediately following the date of each of the Company's regular meetings of shareholders at which directors are elected, commencing with the meeting to be held in 2011 and through the meeting in 2012, each Outside Director shall be granted an Option to purchase One Thousand (1,000) Shares at the Option Price. Each Option shall be exercisable in equal one-third increments, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The terms of each such Option shall be set forth in an Option Agreement which shall be executed by the Outside Director and the Company.
4.2 Duration of Options. Subject to the provisions contained herein relating to earlier expiration, each Option shall expire on the tenth (10th) anniversary date of its grant.
4.3 Exercise of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable as follows:
Options shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares.
4.4 Payment. The Option Price for the Option is payable (i) in cash, (ii) if permitted by the Board, by delivering shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the Outside Director and having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Option Price, (iii) by payment through a broker in accordance with procedures permitted by Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, or (iv) by such other method as the Committee may approve.
As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment, except in the case of a cashless exercise, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, in the Participant’s name, Share certificates in an appropriate amount based upon the number of Shares purchased under the Option(s).
4.5 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Board may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option under the Plan as shall be required under applicable Federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.
4.6 Ceasing to be a Director Due to Death or Disability.
(a) Death. In the event a Participant ceases to be a Director by reason of death, all vested Options held by the Participant shall remain exercisable at any time prior to their expiration date, or for one (1) year after the date of death, whichever period is shorter, by such person or persons as shall have been named as the Participant’s beneficiary, or by such persons that have acquired the Participant’s rights under the Option by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
(b) Disability. In the event a Participant ceases to be a Director by reason of Disability, all vested Options held by the Participant shall remain exercisable at any time prior to their expiration date, or for one (1) year after the date that the Board determines the definition of Disability to have been satisfied, whichever period is shorter.
( c) Death After Ceasing to be a Director. In the event that a Participant ceases to be a Director by reason of Disability, and within the exercise period following such termination the Participant dies, then the remaining exercise period under outstanding Options shall equal the longer of (i) one (1) year following death; or (ii) the remaining portion of the exercise period which was triggered by reason of the Director’s Disability; provided, however, the remaining exercise period shall in no event extend beyond the expiration date of such Options. Such Options shall be exercisable by such person or persons who shall have been named as the Participant’s beneficiary, or by such persons who have acquired the Participant’s rights under the Option by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
4.7 Ceasing to be a Director. If a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, all Options held by the Participant which are not vested as of the date he ceases to be a Director shall immediately be forfeited to the Company.
Options which are vested as of the date a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason other than the reasons set forth in Section 4.6 may be exercised within the period beginning on the date the Participant ceases to be a Director, and ending sixty (60) days after such date. In the event the Participant dies within such sixty (60) day period, then any outstanding Options may be exercised within twelve (12) months after the date of such Participant’s death by such person or persons who shall have been named as such Participant’s beneficiary or by such person who has acquired the Participant’s rights under the Options by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, the remaining exercise period shall in no event extend beyond the expiration date of such Options.
4.8 Nontransferability of Options. No Option may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by a Participant or any other person, voluntarily or involuntarily, other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or (ii) pursuant to a Qualified Domestic Relations Order as provided for in Section 206(d)(3)(B) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Further, a Participant’s rights under the Plan shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.
Article 5. Beneficiary Designation
Each Participant may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) who will succeed to the Participant’s rights hereunder in the event of the Participant’s death. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate.
The spouse of a married Participant domiciled in a community property jurisdiction shall join in any designation of beneficiary or beneficiaries other than the spouse.
Article 6. Change in Control
Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless otherwise specifically prohibited by the terms of Section 11.5 herein:
(a) Any and all Options granted hereunder shall become immediately exercisable; and
(b) Subject to Article 7 herein, the Board shall have the authority to make any modifications to the Options as determined by the Board to be appropriate before the effective date of the Change in Control.
Article 7. Amendment, Modification, and Termination
7.1 Amendment, Modification, and Termination. It is the intention of the Company that no payment or entitlement pursuant to this Plan will give rise to any adverse tax consequences to an Outside Director under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including those issued after the date hereof (collectively, “Section 409A”). The Plan shall be interpreted to that end and, consistent with that objective and notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Company may unilaterally take any action it deems necessary or desirable to amend any provision herein to avoid the application of or excise tax or other penalties under Section 409A. Further, no effect shall be given to any provision herein in a manner that reasonably could be expected to give rise to adverse tax consequences under Section 409A. Neither the Company nor its current or former employees, officers, directors, representatives or agents shall have any liability to any current or former Outside Director with respect to any accelerated taxation, additional taxes, penalties or interest for which any current or former Outside Director may become liable in the event that any amounts payable under the Plan are determined to violate Section 409A.
The Board of Directors may amend or discontinue the Plan at any time
and from time to time; provided, however, that (a) unless otherwise
required by law, no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be
made which would impair the rights of an Outside Director with respect
to any Option which has been granted under the Plan without such
individual’s consent and (b) no amendment shall be effective without
the approval of the stockholders of the Company if stockholder approval
of the amendment is then required pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the applicable rules of
any national securities exchange upon which the Company’s Class A
Common Shares are then listed, or the Ohio corporation law or other
applicable laws.
Article 8. Withholding
The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct and withhold from any other compensation due the Participant from the Company, or require a Participant to remit to the Company in such form as requested by the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising from or as a result of this Plan.
Article 9. Indemnification
Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which such person may be a party or in which such person may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by such person in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval or paid by such person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against such person, provided such persons shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before such person undertakes to handle and defend it on such person’s own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
Article 10. Successors
All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Options shall be binding on any successor to the company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
Article 11. Miscellaneous
11.1 No Right to Continue as a Director. Nothing in this Plan or in any Option Agreement shall confer upon any Outside Director any right to continue as a Director, or to be entitled to receive any remuneration or benefits not set forth in the Plan or such Option Agreement, or to interfere with or limit the right of the shareholders of the Company to remove him or her as a Director, with or without cause.
11.2 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
11.3 Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
11.4 Requirements of Law. The granting of Options and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in the Plan, if required by the then-current Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any “derivative security” or “equity security” granted pursuant to the Plan to any Outside Director may not be sold or transferred for at least six (6) months after the date of grant of such Option. The terms “equity security” and “derivative security” shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the then-current Rule 16(a) under the Exchange Act.
11.5 Securities Law Compliance. Transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.
11.6 Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by Federal law, the Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
11.7 Time for Taking Action. Any action that may be taken in respect of the Plan within a certain number of days shall be taken within that number of calendar days; provided, however, that if the last day for taking any such action falls on a weekend or a holiday, the period during which such action may be taken shall be extended until the next business day. If any action in respect of the Plan is required to be taken on a day which falls on a weekend or a holiday, such action shall be taken on the next business day.
11.8 Nonqualified Options. All Options granted under the Plan shall, for purposes of the federal income tax, be nonqualified stock options.