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): July 9, 2013 (July 2, 2013)

 

HD SUPPLY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

333-159809

 

75-2007383

(State or other Jurisdiction

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S Employer

of Incorporation)

 

 

 

Identification Number)

 

3100 Cumberland Boulevard
Suite 1480,

Atlanta, Georgia

 

30339

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 852-9000

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

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:

 

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 5.03.  Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

On July 2, 2013, a Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Amendment”) of HD Supply, Inc. (the “Company”) was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and became effective on that date.  The Certificate of Amendment provides that the Company, on its behalf and on behalf of its subsidiaries, renounces and waives any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, corporate opportunities, that are from time to time presented to certain of its shareholders or such shareholders’ respective officers, directors, agents stockholders, members, partners, affiliates or subsidiaries, even if the opportunity is one that the Company or its subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so.  The foregoing summary of the Certificate of Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Certificate of Amendment, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Upon the filing of the Certificate of Amendment, the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (the “By-Laws”), as approved by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), became effective on July 2, 2013.  The By-Laws increase the maximum number of directors that may constitute the Board from nine to twenty-one and also provide for certain other conforming and updating changes which reflect the initial public offering of the Company’s indirect parent, HD Supply Holdings, Inc. The foregoing summary of the By-Laws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the By-Laws, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01                                            Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

Amended and Restated By-Laws

 

2



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: July 9, 2013

HD Supply, Inc.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ricardo J. Nunez

 

 

Ricardo J. Nunez

 

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

3



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

 

 

 

3.1

 

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation

 

 

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated By-Laws

 

4


Exhibit 3.1

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

HD SUPPLY, INC.

HD Supply, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as amended from time to time, the “ DGCL ”), does hereby certify:

 

FIRST:                                 The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended by deleting Article SEVENTH thereof and inserting the following in lieu thereof:

 

SEVENTH Business Opportunities .  To the fullest extent permitted by Section 122(17) of the DGCL (or any successor provision) and except as may be otherwise expressly agreed in writing by the Corporation and any of Bain Capital Integral Investors 2006, LLC, Carlyle Partners V, L.P., Carlyle Partners V-A, L.P., CP V Coinvestment A, L.P., CP V Coinvestment B, L.P., Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund VII, L.P., CD&R Parallel Fund VII, L.P., Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund VII (Co-Investment), L.P. and their respective affiliates (each, a “ Sponsor ” and together the “ Sponsors ”) and The Home Depot, Inc. and its affiliates (“ THD ” and each of the Sponsors and THD an “ Investor ”) with respect to such Investor, the Corporation, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, renounces and waives any interest or expectancy of the Corporation and its subsidiaries in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, directly or indirectly, any potential transactions, matters or business opportunities (including, without limitation, any business activities or lines of business that are the same as or similar to those pursued by, or competitive with, the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or any dealings with customers or clients of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries) that are from time to time presented to any of the Investors or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, stockholders, members, partners,

 



 

affiliates and subsidiaries, even if the transaction, matter or opportunity is one that the Corporation or its subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so and no such person shall be liable to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or officer or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person pursues, acquires or participates in such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to the Corporation or its subsidiaries.  Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article SEVENTH.  Neither the alteration, amendment or repeal of this Article SEVENTH, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article SEVENTH, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, any modification of law, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article SEVENTH in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article SEVENTH, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal, adoption or modification.  If any provision or provisions of this Article SEVENTH shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article SEVENTH (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article SEVENTH containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article SEVENTH (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Article SEVENTH containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law. This Article SEVENTH shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Certificate of Incorporation, the by- laws of the Corporation or applicable law.”

 

SECOND:                  The amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 228 and 242 of the DGCL, the Board of Directors of the Corporation having adopted resolutions

 



 

setting forth such amendment, declaring its advisability, and directing that it be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their approval; and the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted having consented in writing to the adoption of such amendment and restatement.

 

[ Remainder of this page intentionally left blank ]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officer of the Corporation has executed this Certificate of Amendment on the 2nd day of July, 2013.

 

 

 

HD SUPPLY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ricardo J. Nunez

 

 

Name:

Ricardo J. Nunez

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President, General

 

 

 

Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 


Exhibit 3.2

 

HD SUPPLY, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

 

Effective as of July 2, 2013

 



 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I STOCKHOLDERS

1

 

 

 

Section 1.01.

Annual Meetings

1

Section 1.02.

Special Meetings

1

Section 1.03.

Participation in Meetings by Remote Communication

1

Section 1.04.

Notice of Meetings; Waiver

1

Section 1.05.

Quorum

2

Section 1.06.

Voting

2

Section 1.07.

Voting Lists

3

Section 1.08.

Adjournment

3

Section 1.09.

Proxies

3

Section 1.10.

Organization; Procedure

4

Section 1.11.

Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting

4

 

 

 

ARTICLE II BOARD OF DIRECTORS

5

 

 

 

Section 2.01.

General Powers

5

Section 2.02.

Number and Term of Office

5

Section 2.03.

Election of Directors

5

Section 2.04.

Annual and Regular Meetings: Notice

5

Section 2.05.

Special Meetings; Notice

6

Section 2.06.

Quorum

6

Section 2.07.

Voting

6

Section 2.08.

Adjournment

6

Section 2.09.

Action Without a Meeting

6

Section 2.10.

Regulations; Manner of Acting

6

Section 2.11.

Action by Telephonic Communications

7

Section 2.12.

Removal; Resignation

7

Section 2.13.

Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships

7

Section 2.14.

Director Fees and Expenses

7

Section 2.15.

Reliance on Accounts and Reports, etc.

7

 

 

 

ARTICLE III COMMITTEES

8

 

 

 

Section 3.01.

How Constituted

8

Section 3.02.

Powers

8

Section 3.03.

Proceedings

9

Section 3.04.

Quorum and Manner of Acting

9

Section 3.05.

Action by Telephonic Communications

9

Section 3.06.

Resignations

9

Section 3.07.

Removal

9

Section 3.08.

Vacancies

9

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS

9

 

i



 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Section 4.01.

Number

9

Section 4.02.

Election

10

Section 4.03.

Salaries

10

Section 4.04.

Removal and Resignation; Vacancies

10

Section 4.05.

Authority and Duties of Officers

10

Section 4.06.

Chairman of the Board

10

Section 4.07.

Chief Executive Officer

10

Section 4.08.

President

11

Section 4.09.

Vice President

11

Section 4.10.

Secretary and Assistant Secretaries

11

Section 4.11.

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers

11

Section 4.12.

Security

12

Section 4.13.

Action with Respect to Securities of Other Companies

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE V CAPITAL STOCK

12

 

 

 

Section 5.01.

Certificates of Stock, Uncertificated Shares

12

Section 5.02.

Signatures; Facsimile

12

Section 5.03.

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

12

Section 5.04.

Transfer of Stock

13

Section 5.05.

Registered Stockholders

13

Section 5.06.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION

13

 

 

 

Section 6.01.

Nature of Indemnity

13

Section 6.02.

Successful Defense

14

Section 6.03.

Determination That Indemnification Is Proper

14

Section 6.04.

Advance of Expenses

14

Section 6.05.

Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers

15

Section 6.06.

Contract Right; Non-Exclusivity; Indemnification Priority Survival

15

Section 6.07.

Insurance

16

Section 6.08.

Subrogation

16

Section 6.09.

Employees and Agents

16

Section 6.10.

Interpretation, Severability

17

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII OFFICES

17

 

 

 

Section 7.01.

Registered Office

17

Section 7.02.

Other Offices

17

 

 

ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS

17

 

 

Section 8.01.

Dividends

17

 

ii



 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Section 8.02.

Reserves

17

Section 8.03.

Execution of Instruments

18

Section 8.04.

Voting as Stockholder

18

Section 8.05.

Fiscal Year

18

Section 8.06.

Seal

18

Section 8.07.

Books and Records; Inspection

18

Section 8.08.

Electronic Transmission

18

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

18

 

 

 

Section 9.01.

Amendment

18

 

 

 

ARTICLE X CONSTRUCTION

19

 

 

 

Section 10.01.

Construction

19

 

iii



 

HD SUPPLY, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

 

As amended and restated effective July 2, 2013

 

ARTICLE I

 

STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.01.  Annual Meetings .  The annual meeting of the stockholders of HD Supply, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”) for the election of directors (each, a “ Director ”) to succeed directors whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as properly may come before such meeting shall be held each year, either within or without the State of Delaware, at such place, if any, and on such date and at such time, as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “ Board of Directors ”) and set forth in the notice or waiver of notice of the meeting, unless the stockholders have acted by written consent to elect Directors as permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “ DGCL ”).  The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 1.02.  Special Meetings .  A special meeting of the stockholders for any purpose may be called at any time by the Chief Executive Officer (or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, by any Vice President) or by the Board of Directors, to be held either within or without the State of Delaware on such date and at such time and place as are designated by such officer or the Board of Directors.

 

Section 1.03.  Participation in Meetings by Remote Communication .  The Board of Directors, acting in its sole discretion, may establish guidelines and procedures in accordance with applicable provisions of the DGCL and any other applicable law for the participation by stockholders and proxyholders in a meeting of stockholders by means of remote communications, and may determine that any meeting of stockholders will not be held at any place but will be held solely by means of remote communication.  Stockholders and proxyholders complying with such procedures and guidelines and otherwise entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be deemed present in person and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication.

 

Section 1.04.  Notice of Meetings; Waiver .

 

(a)  The Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall cause notice of each meeting of stockholders to be given in a manner permitted by the DGCL not less than ten nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting, subject to such exclusions as are then permitted by the DGCL.  The notice shall specify ( i ) the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), ( ii ) the place, if any, date

 

1



 

and time of such meeting of the stockholders, ( iii ) the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, ( iv ) in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called and ( v ) such other information as may be required by law or as may be deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation.  If the stockholder list referred to in Section 1.07 of these By-Laws is made accessible on an electronic network, the notice of meeting shall indicate how the stockholder list can be accessed.  If a stockholder meeting is to be held solely by means of electronic communications, the notice of such meeting must provide the information required to access such stockholder list.

 

(b)  A written waiver of notice of meeting signed by a stockholder, or a waiver by electronic transmission by a stockholder, whether given before or after the meeting, is deemed equivalent to notice.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in a waiver of notice.  The attendance of any stockholder at a meeting of stockholders is a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business at the meeting on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 1.05.  Quorum .  Except as otherwise required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority in voting power of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, provided , however , that where a separate vote by a class or series is required, the holders of a majority in voting power of all issued and outstanding stock of such class or series entitled to vote on such matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to such matter.  In the absence of a quorum, the stockholders so present may, by a majority in voting power thereof, adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 1.08 of these By-laws until a quorum shall attend.

 

Section 1.06.  Voting .  Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or by law, every holder of record of shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each such share outstanding in his or her name on the books of the Corporation at the close of business on the record date for such vote.  If no record date has been fixed for a meeting of stockholders, then every holder of record of shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote (unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law) for each such share of stock outstanding in his or her name on the books of the Corporation at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice of the meeting is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.  Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws, the rules and regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or pursuant to any other rule or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its stockholders, the vote of a majority in voting power of the shares entitled

 

2



 

to vote at a meeting of stockholders on the subject matter in question represented in person or by proxy at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient for the transaction of any business at such meeting.  The stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes for the election of Directors.

 

Section 1.07.  Voting Lists .  The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of the stockholders (and before any adjournment thereof for which a new record date has been set), a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  This list, which may be in any format including electronic format, shall be open to the examination of any stockholder prior to and during the meeting for any purpose germane to the meeting in the manner required by the DGCL and other applicable law.  The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled by this section to examine the list required by this section or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

Section 1.08.  Adjournment .  Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned from time to time, by the chairperson of the meeting or by the vote of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the place, if any, and date and time thereof (and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting) are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken unless the adjournment is for more than 30 days or a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting after the adjournment, in which case notice of the adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 1.04 of these By-Laws shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.  At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

Section 1.09.  Proxies .  Any stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders or to express consent to or dissent from corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy.  A stockholder may authorize a valid proxy by executing a written instrument signed by such stockholder, or by causing his or her signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature, or by transmitting or authorizing an electronic transmission setting forth an authorization to act as proxy to the person designated as the holder of the proxy, a proxy solicitation firm or a like authorized agent.  No proxy may be voted or acted upon after the expiration of three years from the date of such proxy, unless such proxy provides for a longer period.  Every proxy is revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder executing it unless the proxy states that it is irrevocable and applicable law makes it irrevocable.  A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or by filing another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary.  Proxies by electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.  Any copy, facsimile

 

3



 

telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of a writing or transmission created pursuant to this section may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

Section 1.10.  Organization; Procedure .  At every meeting of stockholders the presiding person shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, the Chief Executive Officer or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, a presiding person chosen by resolution of the Board of Directors.  The Secretary, or in the event of his or her absence or disability, the Assistant Secretary, if any, or if there be no Assistant Secretary, in the absence of the Secretary, an appointee of the presiding person, shall act as secretary of the meeting.  The Board of Directors may make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient.  Subject to any such rules and regulations, the presiding person of any meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe rules, regulations and procedures for such meeting and to take all such actions as in the judgment of the presiding person are appropriate for the proper conduct of such meetings.  Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the presiding person of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: ( i ) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; ( ii ) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; ( iii ) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders or records of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; ( iv ) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and ( v ) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.  The presiding person at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter of business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered.  Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Section 1.11.  Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting .

 

(a)  To the fullest extent permitted by law and except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote of stockholders, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are:  ( i ) signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted (but not less than the minimum number of votes otherwise prescribed by law) and ( ii ) delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the

 

4



 

Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded within 60 days of the earliest dated consent so delivered to the Corporation.

 

(b)  The Secretary shall give prompt notice of the taking of an action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent to those stockholders who have not consented in writing to such action and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE II

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 2.01.  General Powers .  Except as may otherwise be provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, the property, affairs and business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors may exercise all the powers and authority of the Corporation.

 

Section 2.02.  Number and Term of Office .  The number of Directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall be not fewer than three and not more than twenty-one, each of whom shall be a natural person.  Each Director (whenever elected) shall hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

Section 2.03.  Election of Directors .  Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.13 of these By-Laws, at each annual meeting of the stockholders the successors of the Directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected.  At each meeting of the stockholders for the election of Directors, provided a quorum is present, the Directors who are standing for election shall be elected by a plurality of the votes validly cast in such election.

 

Section 2.04.  Annual and Regular Meetings: Notice .  The annual meeting of the Board of Directors for the purpose of electing officers and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting shall be held as soon as possible following adjournment of the annual meeting of the stockholders either ( i ) at the place of such annual meeting of the stockholders, in which event notice of such annual meeting of the Board of Directors need not be given, or ( ii ) at such other time and place as shall have been specified in advance notice given to members of the Board of Directors of the date, place and time of such meeting.  Any such notice shall be given at least 48 hours in advance if sent to each Director by facsimile or any form of electronic transmission previously approved by a Director, which approval has not been revoked (“ Approved Electronic Transmission ”), or delivered to him or her personally, or at least five days in advance, if notice is mailed to each Director, addressed to him or her at his or her usual place of business or other designated address.  Any such notice need not be given to any Director who attends such meeting without protesting the lack of notice to him or her, prior to or at the commencement of such meeting, or to any Director who submits a signed waiver of notice (including by Approved Electronic Transmission), whether before or after such meeting.

 

5



 

The Board of Directors from time to time may by resolution provide for the holding of regular meetings.  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the place (if any), on the date and at the time as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors.  A notice of a regular meeting, the date of which has been so publicized, shall not be required.

 

Section 2.05.  Special Meetings; Notice .  Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by any member of the Board of Directors, at such place (within or without the State of Delaware), date and time as may be specified in the respective notices or waivers of notice of such meetings.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called on ( i ) 48 hours’ notice, if such notice is sent by facsimile or Approved Electronic Transmission to each Director or delivered to him or her personally or ( ii ) five days’ notice, if such notice is mailed to each Director, addressed to him or her at his or her usual place of business or other designated address.  Notice of any special meeting need not be given to any Director who attends such meeting without protesting the lack of notice to him or her, prior to or at the commencement of such meeting, or to any Director who submits a signed waiver of notice (including by electronic transmission), whether before or after such meeting.  Any business may be conducted at a special meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.06.  Quorum .  A quorum for meetings of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the total number of Directors then in office.

 

Section 2.07.  Voting .  Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the vote of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.08.  Adjournment .  A majority of the Directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn any meeting of the Board of Directors to another time or place, provided such adjourned meeting is no earlier than 48 hours after written notice (in accordance with these By-Laws) of such adjournment has been given to the Directors (or such notice is waived in accordance with these By-Laws), and, at any such adjourned meeting, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the total number of Directors then in office.

 

Section 2.09.  Action Without a Meeting .  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent thereto in writing or by Approved Electronic Transmission, and such writing or writings or Approved Electronic Transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.  Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 2.10.  Regulations; Manner of Acting .  To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws, the Board of Directors may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of the Board of Directors and for the management of the property, affairs and business of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate.  In addition to the election of the Chairman of the Board, the Board may

 

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elect one or more vice-chairpersons or lead Directors to perform such other duties as may be designated by the Board.

 

Section 2.11.  Action by Telephonic Communications .  Members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 2.12.  Removal; Resignation .  Any Director may be removed at any time, either for or without cause, upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the votes to which all the stockholders of the Corporation would be entitled to cast in any election of Directors, acting at a meeting of the stockholders or by written consent in accordance with the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws.  Any Director may resign at any time by submitting an electronic transmission or by delivering a written notice of resignation to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary.  Such resignation shall take effect upon delivery unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of a specified event.

 

Section 2.13.  Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships .  Except as otherwise provided by law, any vacancy in the Board of Directors that results from the death, disability, resignation, disqualification, removal of any Director or from any other cause may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director.  A Director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until his or her successor has been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.  Any such vacancy or newly created directorship may also be filled at any time by vote of the stockholders.

 

Section 2.14.  Director Fees and Expenses .  The amount, if any, which each Director shall be entitled to receive as compensation for his or her services shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.  The non-employee directors of the Corporation shall be paid their reasonable expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be reimbursed a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors, paid an annual retainer or paid other compensation, including equity compensation, as the Board determines.

 

Section 2.15.  Reliance on Accounts and Reports, etc .  A Director, or a member of any Committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or Committees designated by the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to the matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE III

 

COMMITTEES

 

Section 3.01.  How Constituted .  The Board of Directors shall have a Compensation Committee, an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and such other committees as the Board of Directors may determine (collectively, the “ Committees ”).  Each Committee shall consist of such number of Directors as from time to time may be fixed by a majority of the total number of Directors then in office.  Any Committee may be abolished or re-designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.  Each member of any such Committee (whether designated at an annual meeting of the Board of Directors or to fill a vacancy or otherwise) shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been designated or until he or she shall cease to be a Director, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

Section 3.02.  Powers .  Each Committee shall have such powers and responsibilities as the Board of Directors may from time to time authorize and, each Committee, except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.02, shall have and may exercise such powers of the Board of Directors as may be provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors.  No Committee shall have the power or authority:

 

(a)  to amend the Certificate of Incorporation (except that a Committee may, to the extent authorized in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of shares of stock adopted by the Board of Directors as provided in Section 151(a) of the DGCL, fix the designations and any of the preferences or rights of such shares relating to dividends, redemption, dissolution, any distribution of assets of the Corporation or the conversion into, or the exchange of such shares for, shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation or fix the number of shares of any series of stock or authorize the increase or decrease of the shares of any series);

 

(b)  to adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation or a certificate of ownership and merger;

 

(c)  to recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets;

 

(d)  to recommend to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution; or

 

(e)  to amend these By-Laws of the Corporation.

 

Any Committee may be granted by the Board of Directors, power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to any or all papers which may require it.

 

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Section 3.03.  Proceedings .  Each Committee may fix its own rules of procedure and may meet at such place (within or without the State of Delaware), at such time and upon such notice, if any, as it shall determine from time to time, provided that the Board of Directors may adopt other rules and regulations for the governance of any Committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these By-Laws.  Each such Committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board of Directors at the meeting of the Board of Directors following any such proceedings.

 

Section 3.04.  Quorum and Manner of Acting .  Except as may be otherwise provided in the resolution creating a Committee, at all meetings of any Committee the presence of members constituting a majority of the total authorized membership of such Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  The act of the majority of the members of a Committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such Committee.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of any Committee may be taken without a meeting, if all members of such Committee shall consent to such action in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Committee.  Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.  The members of any Committee shall act only as a Committee, and the individual members of such Committee shall have no power as such.

 

Section 3.05.  Action by Telephonic Communications .  Members of any Committee designated by the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of such Committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 3.06.  Resignations .  Any member of any Committee may resign from such Committee at any time by submitting an electronic transmission or by delivering a written notice of resignation to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary.  Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.

 

Section 3.07.  Removal .  Any member of any Committee may be removed from his or her position as a member of such Committee at any time, either for or without cause, by resolution adopted by a majority of the number of Directors then in office.

 

Section 3.08.  Vacancies .  If any vacancy shall occur in any Committee, by reason of disqualification, death, resignation, removal or otherwise, the remaining members shall continue to act, and any such vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors subject to Section 3.01 of these By-Laws.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 4.01.  Number .  The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and, subject to the last sentence of this Section 4.01, shall be a Chairman of the Board,

 

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a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents and a Secretary.  The Board of Directors may also designate as officers a President, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary.  Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.  Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except that one person may not concurrently hold both the office of Chief Executive Officer and Secretary.  The Board may determine that the Chairman of the Board will not be an officer of the Corporation.  The Chairman of the Board (whether or not an officer) shall be a Director, but no other officer need be a Director.

 

Section 4.02.  Election .  Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors and except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, and shall be elected to hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting of the Board of Directors at which his or her successor has been elected and qualified.  In the event of the failure to elect officers at such annual meeting, officers may be elected at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.  Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

Section 4.03.  Salaries .  The salaries and other compensation of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board or in the manner established by the Board.

 

Section 4.04.  Removal and Resignation; Vacancies .  Any officer may be removed for or without cause at any time by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer as permitted pursuant to Section 4.07.  Any officer may resign at any time by delivering notice of resignation, either in writing signed by such officer or by electronic transmission, to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary.  Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.  Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise, shall be filled by the Board of Directors, or, if the Chief Executive Officer has authority pursuant to Section 4.07 of these By-Laws to fill such office, then by the Chief Executive Officer subject to Section 4.07 of these By-Laws or by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.05.  Authority and Duties of Officers .  The officers of the Corporation shall have such authority and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be specified in these By-Laws or in a resolution of the Board of Directors, except that in any event each officer shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be required by law.  The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

 

Section 4.06.  Chairman of the Board .  The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders at which he or she is present and shall have such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.07.  Chief Executive Officer .  The Chief Executive Officer shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board of Directors, the general powers and duties of supervision, direction, and management of the business and affairs of the Corporation,

 

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including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the Corporation.  The Chief Executive Officer shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or as are set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws.  If the Board of Directors has not elected or appointed a President or the office of the President is otherwise vacant, and no officer otherwise functions with the powers and duties of the President, then, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall also have all the powers and duties of the President.

 

Section 4.08.  President .  The President, if there is such an officer and the Board of Directors so directs, shall serve as chief operating officer and have the powers and duties customarily and usually associated with the office of chief operating officer unless the Board of Directors provides for another officer to serve as chief operating officer (or to have the powers and duties of chief operating officer).  The President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.  If the Board of Directors has not elected or appointed a Chief Executive Officer or the office of Chief Executive Officer is otherwise vacant, then, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall also have all the powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

Section 4.09.  Vice President .  Each Vice President shall have the powers and duties delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or the President.  One Vice President may be designated by the Board of Directors to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence or disability.

 

Section 4.10.  Secretary and Assistant Secretaries .  The Secretary shall issue all authorized notices for, and shall keep minutes of, all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors.  He or she shall have charge of the corporate books and shall perform other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

Any Assistant Secretary, if there is such an officer, shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, President or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe.  In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors), shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.

 

Section 4.11.  Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers .  The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to such office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall designate from time to time. The Chief Executive

 

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Officer or President may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, if there is such an officer, to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to such office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall designate from time to time.

 

Section 4.12.  Security .  The Board of Directors may require any officer, agent or employee of the Corporation to provide security for the faithful performance of his or her duties, in such amount and of such character as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.13.  Action with Respect to Securities of Other Companies .  Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any officer of the Corporation authorized thereby, shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders or equityholders of, or with respect to any action of, stockholders or equityholders of any other entity in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other entity.

 

ARTICLE V

 

CAPITAL STOCK

 

Section 5.01.  Certificates of Stock, Uncertificated Shares .  The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, except to the extent that the Board of Directors has provided by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.  Every holder of stock in the Corporation represented by certificates shall be entitled to have, and the Board of Directors may in its sole discretion permit a holder of uncertificated shares to receive upon request a certificate signed by the appropriate officers of the Corporation, representing the number of shares registered in certificate form.  Such certificate shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may determine, to the extent consistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws.

 

Section 5.02.  Signatures; Facsimile .  All signatures on the certificates referred to in Section 5.01 of these By-Laws may be in facsimile, engraved or printed form, to the extent permitted by law.  In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile, engraved or printed signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 5.03.  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates .  A new certificate may be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or

 

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destroyed, only upon delivery to the Corporation of an affidavit of the owner or owners (or their legal representatives) of such certificate, setting forth such allegation and a bond or undertaking as may be satisfactory to a financial officer of the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.

 

Section 5.04.  Transfer of Stock .  Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate representing shares, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.  Within a reasonable time after the transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to Sections 151, 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL.  Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws, the Board of Directors may prescribe such additional rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate relating to the issue, transfer and registration of shares of the Corporation.

 

Section 5.05.  Registered Stockholders .  Prior to due surrender of a certificate for registration of transfer and to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to receive dividends and other distributions, to vote, to receive notice and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of the shares represented by such certificate, and the Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or legal claim to or interest in such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice of such claim or interests, provided that if a transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, this fact shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer if, when the certificates are presented to the Corporation for transfer or uncertificated shares are requested to be transferred, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

 

Section 5.06.  Transfer Agent and Registrar .  The Board of Directors may appoint one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars, and may require all certificates representing shares to bear the signature of any such transfer agents or registrars.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 6.01.  Nature of Indemnity .  The Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (each, a “ proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was or has agreed to become a Director or officer of the Corporation, or while serving as a Director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a Director, officer, employee, manager or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against expenses (including attorneys’

 

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fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; provided that in the case of an action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor ( i ) such indemnification shall be limited to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in the defense or settlement of such action or suit, and ( ii ) no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 6.05 of these By-Laws, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify a Director or officer of the Corporation in respect of a proceeding (or part thereof) instituted by such Director or officer, unless such proceeding (or part thereof) has been authorized in the specific case by the Board of Directors.

 

The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 6.02.  Successful Defense .  To the extent that a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding referred to in Section 6.01 of these By-Laws or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified by the Corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.

 

Section 6.03.  Determination That Indemnification Is Proper .  Any indemnification of a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation under Section 6.01 of these By-Laws (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only upon a determination that indemnification of such person is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.01 of these By-Laws.  Any such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a Director or officer at the time of such determination ( i ) by a majority vote of the Directors who are not parties to such proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or ( ii ) by a committee of such Directors designated by majority vote of such Directors, even though less than a quorum, or ( iii ) if there are no such Directors, or if such Directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or ( iv ) by the stockholders.

 

Section 6.04.  Advance of Expenses .  Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a present or former Director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation prior to the final disposition of such

 

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proceeding upon written request by such person and delivery of an undertaking by such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation under this Article or applicable law; provided that the Board of Directors may not require such Director or officer to post any bond or otherwise provide any security for such undertaking.  The Corporation or, in respect of a present Director or officer, the Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation’s counsel to represent (subject to applicable conflict of interest considerations) such present or former Director or officer in any proceeding, whether or not the Corporation is a party to such proceeding.

 

Section 6.05.  Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers .  Any indemnification of a Director or officer of the Corporation under Sections 6.01 and 6.02 of these By-Laws, or advance of expenses to such persons under Section 6.04 of these By-Laws, shall be made promptly, and in any event within 30 days, upon the written request by or on behalf of such person (together with supporting documentation).  If a determination by the Corporation that such person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within 60 days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved such request.  If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnity or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within 30 days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article shall be enforceable by such person in any court of competent jurisdiction.  Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by the Corporation.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of costs, charges and expenses under Section 6.04 of these By-Laws where the required undertaking, if any, has been received by or tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.01 of these By-Laws, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation.  Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any Committee thereof, its independent legal counsel, and its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.01 of these By-Laws, nor the fact that there has been an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any Committee thereof, its independent legal counsel, and its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

Section 6.06.  Contract Right; Non-Exclusivity; Indemnification Priority Survival .

 

(a)  The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article shall be deemed to be separate contract rights between the Corporation and each Director and officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while these provisions as well as the relevant provisions of the DGCL are in effect and any repeal or modification thereof shall not adversely affect any right or obligation then existing with respect to any state of facts then or previously existing or any proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened based in

 

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whole or in part upon any such state of facts.  Such “contract rights” may not be modified retroactively as to any present or former Director or officer without the consent of such Director or officer.

 

(b)  The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director or officer and shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors, or otherwise provided , that to the extent that that an indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation pursuant to this Article and by any stockholder of the Corporation or any affiliate of any such stockholder (other than the Corporation) under any other agreement or instrument, or by any insurer under a policy maintained by such stockholder or affiliate, the obligations of the Corporation pursuant to this Article shall be primary, and the obligations of such stockholder, affiliate or insurer secondary and the Corporation shall not be entitled to contribution or indemnification from or subrogation against such stockholder or affiliate.

 

(c)  The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article to any present or former Director or officer shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

Section 6.07.  Insurance .  The Corporation shall purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a Director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article, provided that such insurance is available on commercially reasonable terms consistent with then prevailing rates in the insurance market.

 

Section 6.08.  Subrogation .  In the event of payment under this Article VI, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the indemnitee, who shall execute all documents, and do all acts, that as the Corporation may reasonably request to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as the Corporation may reasonably request to enable the Corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

Section 6.09.  Employees and Agents .  The Board of Directors, or any officer authorized by the Board of Directors generally or in the specific case to make indemnification decisions, may cause the Corporation to indemnify any present or former employee or agent of the Corporation in such manner and for such liabilities as the Board of Directors may determine, up to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law.

 

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Section 6.10.  Interpretation, Severability .  Terms defined in Sections 145(h) or (i) of the DGCL have the meanings set forth in such sections when used in this Article.  If this Article or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Director or officer as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any proceeding, whether, civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

OFFICES

 

Section 7.01.  Registered Office .  The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be located at the location provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 7.02.  Other Offices .  The Corporation may maintain offices or places of business at such other locations within or without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 8.01.  Dividends .  Subject to any applicable provisions of law and the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends upon the shares of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and any such dividend may be paid in cash, property, or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock.

 

A member of the Board of Directors, or a member of any Committee designated by the Board of Directors shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or Committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters the Director reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation, as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities and/or net profits of the Corporation, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of surplus or other funds from which dividends might properly be declared and paid.

 

Section 8.02.  Reserves .  There may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, thinks proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation and the Corporation’s stockholders, and the Board of Directors may similarly modify or abolish any such reserve.

 

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Section 8.03.  Execution of Instruments .  Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may authorize the Chief Executive Officer or any other officer or agent to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation.  Any such authorization may be general or limited to specific contracts or instruments.

 

Section 8.04.  Voting as Stockholder .  Unless otherwise determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend any meeting of stockholders of any corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock, and to act, vote (or execute proxies to vote) and exercise in person or by proxy all other rights, powers and privileges incident to the ownership of such stock at any such meeting or through action without a meeting.  The Board of Directors may by resolution from time to time confer such power and authority upon (in general or confined to specific instances) any other person or persons.

 

Section 8.05.  Fiscal Year .  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 8.06.  Seal .  The seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form and shall contain the name of the Corporation, the year of its incorporation and the words “Corporate Seal” and “Delaware”.  The form of such seal shall be subject to alteration by the Board of Directors.  The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or reproduced, or may be used in any other lawful manner.

 

Section 8.07.  Books and Records; Inspection .  Except to the extent otherwise required by law, the books and records of the Corporation shall be kept at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 8.08.  Electronic Transmission .  “ Electronic transmission ”, as used in these By-Laws, means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

 

Section 9.01.  Amendment .  Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws may be amended, altered or repealed:

 

(a)  by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors if at any special or regular meeting of the Board of Directors if, in the case of such special meeting only, notice of such amendment, alteration or repeal is contained in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, or

 

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(b)  at any regular or special meeting of the stockholders upon the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors if, in the case of such special meeting only, notice of such amendment, alteration or repeal is contained in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, alteration or repeal of Article VI shall adversely affect any right or protection existing under these By-Laws immediately prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, including any right or protection of a present or former Director or officer thereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment.

 

ARTICLE X

 

CONSTRUCTION

 

Section 10.01.  Construction .  In the event of any conflict between the provisions of these By-Laws as in effect from time to time and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation as in effect from time to time, the provisions of such Certificate of Incorporation shall be controlling.

 

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