UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 3, 2011
ALON USA ENERGY, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
         
Delaware   001-32567   74-2966572
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
7616 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75251

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 367-3600
 
     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):
      o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
      o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
      o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
      o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 


 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Director Grants
     On May 3, 2011, the Company granted 2,005 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock to each of Avraham Shochat, Ron W. Haddock and Dr. Zalman Segal, each an independent director of the Company, pursuant to Section 12 of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The shares vest in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. These awards are evidenced by agreements in the form adopted by the Company for the purpose of evidencing grants of this type, which form was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2005, and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
Executive Officer Grants
     On May 3, 2010, the Company approved a grant of 500,000 restricted stock units to Paul Eisman, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive a share of common stock of the Company. All restricted stock units will vest on March 1, 2015, provided that Mr. Eisman remains in the continuous employ of the Company. The award is evidenced by a grant agreement in the form adopted by the Company, which form is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
     On May 3, 2010, the Company approved grants of restricted stock to Messrs. David Wiessman, Joseph Israel, Shai Even, Alan Moret and Michael Oster, each executive officers of the Company, pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the award agreements, Messrs. Wiessman, Israel and Even will each be granted 50,000 shares of restricted stock a year for five years beginning May 10, 2011 and Messrs. Moret and Oster will each be granted 40,000 shares of restricted stock a year for five years beginning May 10, 2011, provided that each grantee remains in the continuous employ of the Company. The shares of restricted stock to Messrs. Wiessman, Israel and Even will vest as follows: 25,000 per year on May 10 th of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and the remaining 150,000 on May 10, 2016. The shares of restricted stock to Messrs. Moret and Oster will vest as follows: 20,000 per year on May 10 th of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and the remaining 140,000 on May 10, 2016. These awards are evidenced by agreements in the form adopted by the Company, which form is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
     The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company was held on May 3, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., Dallas, Texas time, at The Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75209. A total of 50,521,299 shares of the Company’s common stock were present or represented by proxy at the meeting, representing more than 91% of the Company’s shares

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outstanding as of the March 22, 2011 record date. The matters submitted for a vote and the related results are as follows:
Proposal 1 : To elect nine* directors to serve until the 2012 annual meeting or until their respective successors are elected and have been qualified.
                         
                    Broker Non-  
Director Nominee   Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes  
David Wiessman
    44,064,616       2,538,032       3,786,152  
Itzhak Bader
    46,552,148       182,999       3,786,152  
Boaz Biran
    43,535,582       3,199,565       3,786,152  
Shlomo Even
    44,281,086       2,454,061       3,786,152  
Ron W. Haddock
    46,587,673       147,474       3,786,152  
Jeff D. Morris
    44,059,141       2,676,006       3,786,152  
Yeshayahu Pery
    46,549,638       185,509       3,786,152  
Zalman Segal
    46,597,776       137,371       3,786,152  
Avraham Shochat
    46,590,776       144,371       3,786,152  
 
*   Mr. Avinadav Grinshpon was nominated by the Board of Directors but notified the Board on April 27, 2011 that he would not stand for election.
Proposal 2 : To approve the issuance of shares of Alon’s common stock to Alon Israel Oil Company, Ltd. upon conversion of, or as dividend payments on, the shares of 8.50% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock held by Alon Israel Oil Company, Ltd.:
                         
                    Broker Non  
Votes For   Votes Against     Votes Abstained     Votes  
46,616,847
  77,394     40,906     3,786,152  
Proposal 3 : To approve the issuance of shares of Alon’s common stock upon exercise of the Warrants to purchase shares of Alon’s common stock held by certain shareholders of Alon Israel Oil Company, Ltd. and their affiliates:
                         
                    Broker Non  
Votes For   Votes Against     Votes Abstained     Votes  
46,576,557
  119,551     39,039     3,786,152  
    Proposal 4 : To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation:
                         
                    Broker Non  
Votes For   Votes Against     Votes Abstained     Votes  
44,294,717
  2,378,112     62,318     3,786,152  

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Proposal 5 : To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation:
                                 
                            Broker Non  
1 Year   2 Years     3 Years     Abstain     Votes  
3,378,170
  58,175     43,248,771     45,031     3,786,152  
Proposal 6 : To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as Alon’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2011:
                 
Votes For   Votes Against     Votes Abstained  
50,265,269
  190,759     65,271  
     Pursuant to the foregoing votes, the nine directors nominees listed above were elected to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors and Proposals 2, 3, and 6 were approved. Based on the results of Proposal 5 the Company will hold an advisory vote on executive compensation every three years.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
     (d)  Exhibits .
     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
10.1
  Award Agreement between the Company and Paul Eisman, dated May 5, 2011.
 
   
10.2
  Form of Award Agreement relating to Executive Officer Restricted Stock Grants pursuant to the Alon USA Energy, Inc. 2005 Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan.

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SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  ALON USA ENERGY, INC.
 
 
  /s/ Sarah Braley Campbell    
  Sarah Braley Campbell   
  Secretary   
 
Date: May 9, 2011

 


 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
     
Exhibit
Number
  Description
10.1
  Award Agreement between the Company and Paul Eisman, dated May 5, 2011.
 
   
10.2
  Form of Award Agreement relating to Executive Officer Restricted Stock Grants pursuant to the Alon USA Energy, Inc. 2005 Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

Exhibit 10.1
ALON USA ENERGY, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2005 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
AWARD AGREEMENT
     This Award Agreement is entered into this 5 th day of May, 2011 (the “Grant Date”), between Paul Eisman (the “Participant”) and Alon USA Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).
     WHEREAS, Participant is an employee of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, and a Senior Officer within the meaning of the Alon USA Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”); and
     WHEREAS, the grant of Restricted Stock Units evidenced by this agreement (the “Agreement”) was authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).
     1.  Grant .
     Subject to and upon the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference, the Company hereby grants to the Participant on the Grant Date 500,000 Restricted Stock Units. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one share of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit. This Agreement constitutes an “Evidence of Award” under the Plan.
     2.  Voting Rights of Participant .
     The Participant will have no voting rights with respect to the Restricted Stock Units.
     3.  Dividend Rights and Dividend Equivalent Payments. Except as provided in this Section, the Participant will have no right to receive dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock Units. From and after the Grant Date, the Participant will be entitled to receive, whenever a cash dividend is paid on shares of Common Stock , an amount of cash equal to the product of (A) the per-share amount of the dividend paid and (B) the Dividend Share Amount, set forth in the table below for the period in which the dividend is paid (as determined below) (the “Dividend Equivalent Payment”), provided the Participant has not received the shares of Common Stock underlying the Restricted Stock Units in accordance with Section 6 hereof or otherwise forfeited the Restricted Stock Units in accordance with Section 5 hereof.
         
    Dividend Share  
Period   Amount  
From the Grant Date through March 1, 2012
    100,000  
From March 1, 2012 through March 1, 2013
    200,000  
From March 1, 2013 through March 1, 2014
    300,000  
From March 1, 2014 through March 1, 2015
    400,000  

 


 

All Dividend Equivalent Payments will be made no later than 10 days after dividends are paid on the underlying Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participant shall receive within 10 days of the Grant Date a Dividend Equivalent Payment for the dividend paid on the Common Stock in the first quarter of 2011 in an amount of cash equal to the product of (A) $.04 per share and (B) 100,000.
     4.  Restrictions on Transfer . The Restricted Stock Units may not be transferred, sold, pledged, exchanged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Participant; provided, however, that the Participant’s interest in the Restricted Stock Units may be transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any purported transfer, encumbrance or other disposition of the Restricted Stock Units will be null and void, and the other party to any such purported transaction will not obtain any rights to or interest in the Restricted Stock Units.
     5.  Vesting of Awards .
          (a) Restricted Stock Units . All 500,000 Restricted Stock Units granted to Participant under this Agreement will vest on March 1, 2015 (the “RSU Vesting Date”), provided the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the period from the Date of Grant to the RSU Vesting Date.
     For purposes of this Agreement, the continuous employment of the Participant with the Company and its Subsidiaries will not be deemed to have been interrupted, and the Participant will not be deemed to have ceased to be an employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries, by reason of the transfer of the Participant’s employment among the Company and its Subsidiaries or a leave of absence approved by the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board.
          (b) Involuntary Termination, Termination for Good Reason, Death and Disability . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5(a) and (b), the non-vested Restricted Stock Units will vest in full upon (i) the involuntary termination of the Participant’s employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries for a reason other than Cause, (ii) the Participant’s termination of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for Good Reason, or (iii) the Participant’s termination of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries due to the death or permanent and total disability of the Participant, as determined by the Committee. Upon the occurrence of any of these events, the vested Restricted Stock Units will be settled in Common Stock as provided in Section 6 by the Participant or, in the event of the Participant’s death or disability, by the Participant’s legal representative.
          (c) Change in Control . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5(a), (b) or (c), the following vesting rules shall apply in connection with a Change in Control: (i) if the Participant does not receive an offer of continued employment on similar terms from the Company or its Subsidiaries (or any successors or affiliates) in connection with a Change in Control (for a reason other than Cause), all non-vested Restricted Stock Units will fully vest immediately prior to the Change in Control; (ii) if the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (and any successors or affiliates) is involuntarily terminated without Cause following a Change in Control, all non-vested Restricted Stock Units will fully vest upon such termination; and (iii) if the Participant remains employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries (or any successors or affiliates) for a period of one year following a Change in

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Control, all non-vested Restricted Stock Units with fully vest on the first anniversary of the Change in Control.
          (d) Forfeiture . In the event the Participant terminates employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason other than disability, death, involuntary termination by the Company other than for Cause or termination by the Participant for Good Reason, the Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited immediately and the Participant will not be entitled to any Common Stock or Dividend Equivalent Payments hereunder.
     6.  Settlement of Restricted Stock Units . At such time as the Restricted Stock Units vest as provided in this Agreement, shares of Common Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Units will be transferred to the Participant no later than 20 days after vesting, except as provided in this Section. The shares of Common Stock underlying the Restricted Stock Units will be transferred to the Participant by the Company’s transfer agent at the direction of the Company. At such time as the Restricted Stock Units vest, the Company will direct the transfer agent to forward all such shares of Common Stock to the Participant, except in the event the Participant has notified the Company of his election to satisfy any tax obligations by surrender of a portion of such shares, in which case the transfer agent will be directed to forward the remaining balance of shares after the amount necessary for such taxes has been deducted.
     7.  [Intentionally Left Blank.]
     8.  Taxes and Withholding . To the extent that the Company is required to withhold any federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with the issuance of any Common Shares or other securities pursuant to this Agreement, it will be a condition to the transfer of the Common Shares that the Participant will pay such taxes or make provisions that are satisfactory to the Company for the payment thereof. The Participant may elect to satisfy all or any part of any such withholding obligation by retention by the Company of a portion of the Common Shares that are transferred to the Participant hereunder, and the Common Shares so retained will be credited against any such withholding obligation at the Market Value per Share on the date of such issuance or transfer. However, in no event may the Participant elect to have a number of Common Shares withheld in excess of the number of Common Shares required to satisfy the Company’s minimum statutory tax withholding obligation.
     9.  Compliance with Law . The Company will comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws; provided, however, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated to issue any Common Shares or other securities pursuant to this Agreement if the issuance thereof would result in a violation of any such law.
     10.  Definitions . Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement will have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, the terms set forth below will have the following meanings:
          (a) “Cause” means (i) the Participant’s conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor where imprisonment is imposed for more than 30 days; (ii) the Participant’s commission of any act of theft, fraud, dishonesty, or falsification of any employment or Company records; (iii) the Participant’s improper disclosure of confidential information of the

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Company; (iv) any intentional action by the Participant having a material detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business; (v) any material breach by the Participant of this Agreement or the Participant’s employment agreement with the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, which breach is not cured within ten (10) business days following receipt by the Participant of written notice of such breach; (vi) the Participant’s unlawful appropriation of a corporate opportunity; or (vii) the Participant’s intentional misconduct in connection with the performance of any of the Participant’s duties, including, without limitation, misappropriation of funds or property of the Company, securing or attempting to secure to the detriment of the Company any profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company, any material misrepresentation to the Company, or any knowing violation of law or regulations to which the Company is subject.
          (b) “Change in Control” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
               (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (i) such person will be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; or
               (ii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another person or the merger of another person with or into the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another person (other than, in all such cases, a person that is controlled by the Permitted Holders), other than a transaction following which (A) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, (1) holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and in substantially the same proportion to each other as before the transaction or (2) immediately after such transaction the Permitted Holders beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and (B) in the case of a sale of assets transaction, the transferee assumes the obligations of the Company under this Agreement and either (1) is or becomes a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets or (2) is or becomes a person a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Permitted Holders; or
               (iii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
          (c) “Good Reason” means (i) without the Participant’s prior written consent, the Company reduces Participant’s base compensation or the percentage of the Participant’s base compensation established as the Participant’s maximum target bonus percentage for purposes of the Company’s annual cash bonus plan, (ii) any material breach by the Company or its

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Subsidiaries of this Agreement or the Participant’s employment agreement with the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, which breach is not cured within ten (10) business days following receipt by the Company of written notice of such breach; and (iii) without the Participant’s prior written consent, the Company requires the Participant to be based at an office or location that is more than 35 miles from the location at which the Participant was based on the Date of Grant, other than in connection with reasonable travel requirements of the Company’s business.
          (d) “Market Value per Share” means, at any date, the closing sale price of the Common Stock on that date (or, if there are no sales on the date, the last preceding date on which there was a sale) on the principal national securities exchange or in the principal market on or in which the Common Stock is traded. If there is no regular public trading market for the Common Stock, the Market Value per Share will be the fair market value of a share of Common Stock, without discount for minority interest, illiquidity or restrictions on transfer, as determined in good faith by agreement of the Participant and the Board; provided that if no agreement is reached within 30 days, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock will be determined by an independent, recognized investment bank, accounting firm or business valuation company mutually agreed to by the parties (the “Appraiser”) and whose determination of Market Value per Share will be conclusive and binding. The costs of the Appraiser will be borne equally by the Participant and the Company.
          (e) “Permitted Holders” means Alon Israel Oil Company, Ltd., Bielsol Investments (1987) Ltd., and Tabris Investments Inc.
     11.  General Provisions .
          (a) The Company may assign any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any assignment of rights and obligations by the Participant requires the Company’s prior written consent. This Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.
          (b) The parties agree to execute such further documents and instruments and to take such further actions as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
          (c) The titles, captions and headings of this Agreement are included for ease of reference only and will be disregarded in interpreting or construing this Agreement. Unless otherwise specifically stated, all references herein to “sections” and “exhibits” will mean “sections” and “exhibits” to this Agreement.
          (d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.
          (e) Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity,

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illegality or unenforceability will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction in such manner as will effect as nearly as lawfully possible the purposes and intent of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.
          (f) This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile and upon such delivery the facsimile signature will be deemed to have the same effect as if the original signature had been delivered to the other party.
          (g) This Agreement may be amended as provided in the Plan, provided all such amendments will be in writing. Any amendment to the Plan will be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement to the extent that the Plan amendment is applicable hereto; provided, however, that no amendment will adversely affect the rights of the Participant under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. No amendment of or waiver of, or modification of any obligation under this Agreement will be enforceable unless set forth in a writing signed by the party against which enforcement is sought. Any amendment effected in accordance with this section will be binding upon all parties hereto and each of their respective successors and assigns. No delay or failure to require performance of any provision of this Agreement will constitute a waiver of that provision as to that or any other instance. No waiver granted under this Agreement as to any one provision herein will constitute a subsequent waiver of such provision or of any other provision herein, nor will it constitute the waiver of any performance other than the actual performance specifically waived.
          (h) It is intended that that any amounts payable under this Agreement and the Committee’s exercise of authority or discretion hereunder comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A so as not to subject the Participant to the payment of the additional tax, interest and any tax penalty which may be imposed under Code Section 409A. Reference to Code Section 409A will also include any proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service. In particular, to the extent Restricted Stock Units vest and the event causing the Restricted Stock Units to vest is an event that does not constitute a permitted distribution under Code Section 409A and the settlement of the Restricted Stock Units would not constitute short term deferral within the meaning of Code Section 409A, then issuance of the Common Stock will be made, to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A, to the Participant on the earlier of (a) the Participant’s “separation from service” with the Company; provided, however, if the Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A), the date of issuance of the Common Stock will be the date that is six months after the date of the Participant’s separation from service, (b) the seventh anniversary of the Date of Grant, or (c) the Participant’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no particular tax result for the Participant with respect to any income recognized by the Participant in connection with this Agreement is guaranteed, and the Participant will be responsible for any taxes, penalties and interest imposed on the Participant in connection with this Agreement.
          (i) This Agreement is made under, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.

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     12.  Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether oral or written, between or among the parties hereto with respect to the specific subject matter hereof.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

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     The Participant hereby accepts and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. The Committee, as constituted from time to time, will, except as expressly provided otherwise herein, have the right to determine any questions that arise in connection with this Agreement.
         
  ALON USA ENERGY, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ David Wiessman    
    Name:   David Wiessman   
    Title:   Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors   
 
         
  ACCEPTED:
 
 
  /s/ Paul Eisman    
  Signature of Participant   
     
 

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Exhibit 10.2
ALON USA ENERGY, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
     WHEREAS, ________________________ (the “Participant”) is an employee of Alon USA Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) or one of its Subsidiaries, and a Participant within the meaning of the Alon USA Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”);
     WHEREAS, the grant of restricted shares evidenced by this agreement (the “Agreement”) was authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).
     NOW, THEREFORE, subject to and upon the terms, conditions, and restrictions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, the Company hereby agrees, provided the Participant remains continuously employed by the Company and its Subsidiaries until such date, to grant to the Participant restricted shares of Common Stock (upon the effectiveness of each such grant, the “Restricted Shares”) in accordance with the following schedule on the respective dates of grant (each a “Date of Grant”):
     
Number of Restricted    
Shares Granted   Date of Grant
 
  May 10, 2011
 
  May 10, 2012
 
  May 10, 2013
 
  May 10, 2014
 
  May 10, 2015
     Terms not defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth in the Plan.
     1.  Rights of Grantee .
          (a) The Restricted Shares will be fully paid and nonassessable and will be represented by a certificate or certificates registered in the name of the Participant and bearing a legend referring to the restrictions hereinafter set forth. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Participant will have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the Restricted Shares; provided, however, that any additional shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Participant may become entitled to receive pursuant to a stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, separation or reorganization or any other change in the capital structure of the Company will be subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Shares. In order to reflect the effect of any such event, appropriate adjustments will be made to the number and/or class of shares which Participant is eligible to receive pursuant to this Agreement.
          (b) The Participant will not be entitled to vote the Restricted Shares or to receive dividends with respect to the Restricted Shares. For purposes of this Agreement, the

 


 

continuous employment of the Participant with the Company and its Subsidiaries will not be deemed to have been interrupted, and the Participant will not be deemed to have ceased to be an employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries, by reason of the transfer of the Participant’s employment among the Company and its Subsidiaries or a leave of absence approved by the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board.
     2.  Restrictions on Transfer . The Restricted Shares and the right to receive future grants of Restricted Shares may not be transferred, sold, pledged, exchanged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Participant, except to the Company, until the Restricted Shares become vested in accordance with Section 3 below; provided, however, that the Participant’s interest in the Restricted Shares may be transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any purported transfer, encumbrance or other disposition of the Restricted Shares before they become vested will be null and void, and the other party to any such purported transaction will not obtain any rights to or interest in the Restricted Shares.
     3.  Vesting of Restricted Shares .
          (a) Vesting . The Participant will acquire a vested interest in, and the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 2 will lapse with respect to, Restricted Shares in accordance with the schedule set forth below (each date being referred to as a “Vesting Date”), subject to the Participant’s remaining in the continuous employ of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the period from the Date of Grant to the Vesting Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is subject to the Alon USA Energy, Inc. Securities Trading Policy (the “Policy”) on the Vesting Date and the Vesting Date is not a trading date under the Policy, the Restricted Shares will vest on the first day following the Vesting Date that is a trading date under the Policy, provided the Participant remains continuously employed by the Company and its Subsidiaries until such date.
     
Number of Restricted    
Shares Vested   Vesting Date
_______Restricted Shares originally granted on May 10, 2011
  May 10, 2012
_______Restricted Shares originally granted on May 10, 2012
  May 10, 2013
_______Restricted Shares originally granted on May 10, 2013
  May 10, 2014
_______Restricted Shares originally granted on May 10, 2014
  May 10, 2015
______ (all remaining Restricted Shares)
  May 10, 2016
          (b) Full Vesting Upon Certain Events . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3(a), the Participant will acquire a vested interest in, and the restrictions on voting and the right to receive dividends set forth in Section 1(b) and the restrictions on transfer set forth in

 


 

Section 2 will lapse with respect to, all of the granted but nonvested Restricted Shares in the event of (i) the involuntary termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for a reason other than Cause or (ii) the Participant’s termination of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries by the Participant for Good Reason, in each case within the 24-month period following the occurrence of a Change in Control.
          (c) Forfeiture . In the event the Participant terminates employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason other than disability, death, involuntary termination by the Company other than for Cause or termination by the Participant for Good Reason, the unvested Restricted Shares will be forfeited immediately and the certificate(s) representing the unvested Restricted Shares will be cancelled as well as any right to grants that are not yet effective.
     4.  Participant’s Put Right . If at any time there is no longer a regular public trading market for the Common Stock, the Participant will have the right to require the Company to purchase any or all of the vested Restricted Shares in accordance with this Section 4, provided the Participant has held such shares for at least six months. The Participant’s right to require the Company to purchase vested Restricted Shares may be exercised by delivering a written notice (the “Put Notice”) to the Company that sets forth the Participant’s irrevocable undertaking to sell to the Company the number of vested Restricted Shares stated in such Put Notice. The purchase price per share to be paid for the Participant’s vested Restricted Shares will be the Market Value per Share on the closing date of the purchase and sale contemplated by this Section 4, which will occur on the 30 th day following delivery of the Put Notice or such earlier date as may be agreed to by the parties. At such closing, the Company will deliver the aggregate purchase price to the Participant in cash, against delivery by the Participant of certificates representing the vested Restricted Shares being purchased, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances and endorsed in good form for transfer.
     5.  Retention of Stock Certificates by the Company . The certificates representing the Restricted Shares will be held in custody by the Secretary of the Company, together with a stock power endorsed in blank by the Participant, until the Restricted Shares vest in accordance with this Agreement. In order for this Agreement to be effective, the Participant must sign and return such stock power to the attention of the Secretary of the Company.
     6.  Taxes and Withholding . To the extent that the Company is required to withhold any federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with the issuance or vesting of any restricted or nonrestricted Common Shares or other securities pursuant to this Agreement, and the amounts available to the Company for such withholding are insufficient, it will be a condition to the issuance or vesting of the Common Shares, as the case may be, that the Participant will pay such taxes or make provisions that are satisfactory to the Company for the payment thereof. The Participant may elect to satisfy all or any part of any such withholding obligation by retention by the Company of a portion of the nonforfeitable Common Shares that are issued or transferred to the Participant hereunder, and the Common Shares so retained will be credited against any such withholding obligation at the Market Value per Share on the date of such issuance or transfer. However, in no event may the Participant elect to have a number of Common Shares withheld in excess of the number of Common Shares required to satisfy the Company’s minimum statutory tax withholding obligation.

 


 

     7.  Compliance with Law . The Company will make reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws; provided, however, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated to issue any restricted or nonrestricted Common Shares or other securities pursuant to this Agreement if the issuance thereof would result in a violation of any such law.
     8.  Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the terms set forth below will have the following meanings:
          (a) “Cause” means (i) the Participant’s conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor where imprisonment is imposed for more than 30 days; (ii) the Participant’s commission of any act of theft, fraud, dishonesty, or falsification of any employment or Company records; (iii) the Participant’s improper disclosure of confidential information of the Company; (iv) any intentional action by the Participant having a material detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business; (v) any material breach by the Participant of this Agreement or the Participant’s employment agreement with the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, which breach is not cured within ten (10) business days following receipt by the Participant of written notice of such breach; (vi) the Participant’s unlawful appropriation of a corporate opportunity; or (vii) the Participant’s intentional misconduct in connection with the performance of any of the Participant’s duties, including, without limitation, misappropriation of funds or property of the Company, securing or attempting to secure to the detriment of the Company any profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company, any material misrepresentation to the Company, or any knowing violation of law or regulations to which the Company is subject.
          (b) “Change in Control” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
               (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (i) such person will be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; or
               (ii) individuals who on the date hereof constituted the Board (together with any new directors whose election by the Board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Company then still in office who were either directors on the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board then in office; or
               (iii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another person or the merger of another person with or into the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another person (other than, in all such cases, a person that is controlled by the Permitted Holders), other

 


 

than a transaction following which (A) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, (1) holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and in substantially the same proportion to each other as before the transaction or (2) immediately after such transaction the Permitted Holders beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and (B) in the case of a sale of assets transaction, the transferee assumes the obligations of the Company under this Agreement and either (1) is or becomes a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets or (2) is or becomes a person a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Permitted Holders; or
               (iv) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
          (c) “Good Reason” means (i) without the Participant’s prior written consent, the Company reduces Participant’s base compensation or the percentage of the Participant’s base compensation established as the Participant’s maximum target bonus percentage for purposes of the Company’s annual cash bonus plan, (ii) any material breach by the Company or its Subsidiaries of this Agreement or the Participant’s employment agreement with the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, which breach is not cured within ten (10) business days following receipt by the Company of written notice of such breach; and (iii) without the Participant’s prior written consent, the Company requires the Participant to be based at an office or location that is more than 35 miles from the location at which the Participant was based on the date hereof, other than in connection with reasonable travel requirements of the Company’s business.
          (d) “Market Value per Share” means, at any date, the closing sale price of the Common Stock on that date (or, if there are no sales on the date, the last preceding date on which there was a sale) on the principal national securities exchange or in the principal market on or in which the Common Stock is traded. If there is no regular public trading market for the Common Stock, the Market Value per Share will be the fair market value of a share of Common Stock , without discount for minority interest, illiquidity or restrictions on transfer, as determined in good faith by agreement of the Participant and the Board; provided that if no agreement is reached within 30 days, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock shall be determined by an independent, recognized investment bank, accounting firm or business valuation company mutually agreed to by the parties (the “Appraiser”) and whose determination of Market Value per Share shall be conclusive and binding. The costs of the Appraiser will be borne equally by the Participant and the Company.
          (e) “Permitted Holders” means Alon Israel Oil Company, Ltd., Bielsol Investments (1987) Ltd., and Tabris Investments Inc.
     9.  General Provisions .
          (a) The Company may assign any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any assignment of rights and obligations by the Participant requires the Company’s

 


 

prior written consent. This Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.
          (b) Any and all notices required or permitted to be given to a party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing and will be effective and deemed to provide such party sufficient notice under this Agreement on the earliest of the following: (i) at the time of personal delivery, if delivery is in person; (ii) at the time of transmission by facsimile, addressed to the other party at its facsimile number specified herein (or hereafter modified by subsequent notice to the parties hereto), with confirmation of receipt made by both telephone and printed confirmation sheet verifying successful transmission of the facsimile; (iii) one business day after deposit with an express overnight courier for United States deliveries, or two business days after such deposit for deliveries outside of the United States; or (iv) three business days after deposit in the United States mail by certified mail (return receipt requested) for United States deliveries. All notices for delivery outside the United States will be sent by facsimile or by express courier. All notices not delivered personally or by facsimile will be sent with postage and/or other charges prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified at the address or facsimile number set forth below the signature lines of this Agreement or at such other address or facsimile number as such other party may designate by one of the indicated means of notice herein to the other party hereto. Notices by facsimile will be machine verified as received.
          (c) The parties agree to execute such further documents and instruments and to take such further actions as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
          (d) The titles, captions and headings of this Agreement are included for ease of reference only and will be disregarded in interpreting or construing this Agreement. Unless otherwise specifically stated, all references herein to “sections” and “exhibits” will mean “sections” and “exhibits” to this Agreement.
          (e) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.
          (f) Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction in such manner as will effect as nearly as lawfully possible the purposes and intent of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.
          (g) This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile and upon such delivery the facsimile signature will be deemed to have the same effect as if the original signature had been delivered to the other party.

 


 

          (h) Any amendment to the Plan will be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement to the extent that the Plan amendment is applicable hereto; provided, however, that no amendment will adversely affect the rights of the Participant under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. No amendment of or waiver of, or modification of any obligation under this Agreement will be enforceable unless set forth in a writing signed by the party against which enforcement is sought. Any amendment effected in accordance with this section will be binding upon all parties hereto and each of their respective successors and assigns. No delay or failure to require performance of any provision of this Agreement will constitute a waiver of that provision as to that or any other instance. No waiver granted under this Agreement as to any one provision herein will constitute a subsequent waiver of such provision or of any other provision herein, nor will it constitute the waiver of any performance other than the actual performance specifically waived.
          (i) It is intended that that any amounts payable under this Agreement and the Committee’s exercise of authority or discretion hereunder comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A and the Treasury regulations relating thereto so as not to subject the Participant to the payment of the additional tax, interest and any tax penalty which may be imposed under Code Section 409A. Reference to Code Section 409A will also include any proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no particular tax result for the Participant with respect to any income recognized by the Participant in connection with this Agreement is guaranteed, and the Participant will be responsible for any taxes, penalties and interest imposed on the Participant in connection with this Agreement.
     10.  Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether oral or written, between or among the parties hereto with respect to the specific subject matter hereof.
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     The Participant hereby accepts and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. The Committee, as constituted from time to time, will, except as expressly provided otherwise herein, have the right to determine any questions that arise in connection with this Agreement.
         
  ALON USA ENERGY, INC.
 
 
  By      
    Name:   Paul Eisman   
    Title:   President   
 

ACCEPTED:
 
 
   
Signature of Participant