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 25, 2017

 

ASHFORD INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

MARYLAND

 

001-36400

 

46-5292553

(State or Incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

 

 

 

 

Identification Number)

 

14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100

 

 

Dallas, Texas

 

75254

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 490-9600

 

N/A

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

 

Check the appropriate box 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))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company     x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  x

 

 

 



 

ITEM 1.01  ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

 

Unit Purchase Agreement

 

On July 25, 2017, PT Holdco, LLC (the “ Buyer ”), a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ashford Inc. (“ Ashford ”), entered into a Unit Purchase Agreement (the “ Unit Purchase Agreement ”) with Presentation Technologies, Inc. (together with its successor Presentation Technologies, LLC, “ PTI ”), Monroe Jost, Kevin Jost and Todd Jost (collectively, the “ Seller Parties ”).  At the closing of the transactions under the Unit Purchase Agreement (the “ Transactions ”), Ashford, through the Buyer, will purchase eighty-five percent (85%) of the outstanding units representing membership interests of PTI (the “ Purchased Units ”).

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Unit Purchase Agreement, the aggregate consideration to be paid for the Purchased Units shall be an aggregate amount equal to (i) the initial cash purchase price, which may be paid with proceeds from the Acquisition Loan Agreement to be entered between PTI and Comerica Bank (the “ Acquisition Loan Agreement ”); and (ii) the number of shares of common stock of Ashford, par value $0.01 per share ( “ Ashford Common Stock ”), obtained by dividing (A) $4,250,000 by (B) the fair market value of Ashford Common Stock.  The initial cash purchase price shall be comprised of: (i) $21,875,000; (ii) plus a cash amount equal to the product of (A) the amount of indebtedness incurred under the Acquisition Loan Agreement that is explicitly used to fund the acquisition of the Purchased Units, multiplied by (B) 0.15; (iii) minus the product of (A) the amount, if any, by which estimated working capital is less than an agreed working capital floor, multiplied by (B) 0.85; (iv) minus the estimated indebtedness; and (v) minus any foreign withholding amounts.

 

The obligation of each party to consummate the Transactions is subject to certain conditions, including, among others: (i) the other party’s representations and warranties being true and correct (subject to certain qualifiers, as applicable); (ii) the other party having performed and complied in all material respects with its obligations and covenants under the Unit Purchase Agreement; (iii) the absence of pending or threatened proceedings seeking to enjoin or prevent the consummation of the Transactions or to obtain damages or other relief; and (iv) the receipt of all necessary governmental consents and approvals, if any.  The Buyer’s obligation to close is also subject to other conditions, including, among others: (i) the receipt of all material third party consents; (ii) the absence of any material adverse effect; (iii) obtaining debt financing, pursuant to the Acquisition Loan Agreement, in an amount not less than $12,000,000; and (iv) the completion of certain restructuring of PTI and its affiliates.

 

The Seller Parties and the Buyer have each made customary representations and warranties in the Unit Purchase Agreement relating to, among other things, PTI’s and Buyer’s organization, authorization, capitalization, operations and financial statements, as applicable.  Additionally, the Unit Purchase Agreement provides for customary pre-closing covenants of PTI and the Seller Parties, including covenants relating to conducting PTI’s businesses in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and to refrain from taking certain actions without the Buyer’s consent.  The Unit Purchase Agreement also contains covenants that prohibit the Seller Parties, PTI or its affiliates from soliciting, discussing or providing information relating to alternative acquisition proposals from third parties.

 

In connection with the Transactions, PTI will enter into employment agreements with each of Kevin Jost and Monroe Jost at the closing of the Transactions, pursuant to which Kevin Jost will serve as President of PTI for an initial term of five years and Monroe Jost will serve as Chief Executive Officer of PTI for an initial term of two years.

 

The Unit Purchase Agreement contains termination rights for both the Buyer and PTI, including the right of either party to terminate the Unit Purchase Agreement if the Transactions are not consummated on or before September 30, 2017.

 

2



 

Voting Agreement

 

At the closing of the Transactions and as a condition precedent for the closing, Ashford will enter into a voting agreement (the “ Voting Agreement ”) with PT Intermediate, LLC (“ PT Intermediate ”), Presentation Technologies Holdings, Inc. and the Seller Parties (together with Presentation Technologies Holdings, Inc., the “ Potential Transferees ”) pursuant to which, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions of the Voting Agreement, PT Intermediate and the Potential Transferees will agree that, from the date of the Voting Agreement and at any time any of them beneficially owns any share of Ashford Common Stock or other security constituting the Purchase Price Consideration or the Put/Call Consideration (each as defined in the Voting Agreement), PT Intermediate and each Potential Transferee shall cause such share of Ashford Common Stock or other such security beneficially owned by them to be present for quorum purposes and shall vote all such securities (i) in favor of each director nominated and recommended by the Ashford Board for election at any such meeting or action by consent, (ii) against any stockholder nominations for director or purported stockholder nominations for director which are not approved and recommended by the Ashford Board; and (iii) in accordance with the recommendation of the Ashford Board with respect to Ashford’s “say-on-pay” proposal and any other proposal or stockholder proposal.  The Voting Agreement will also prohibit PT Intermediate and the Potential Transferees and their affiliates and associates from depositing any share of Ashford Common Stock or other security constituting the Purchase Price Consideration or the Put/Call Consideration in any voting trust or agreement, other than any voting trust or agreement solely among themselves and in accordance with the Voting Agreement.

 

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement

 

Also at the closing of the Transactions and as a condition precedent for the closing, the limited liability company agreement of Presentation Technologies, LLC (the successor of PTI by conversion) will be amended and restated to provide for the Buyer to receive the Purchased Units as contemplated by the Unit Purchase Agreement.  The Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of PTI will also provide, among other things, that the business and affairs of PTI shall be managed and controlled by a board of managers, which shall initially consist of three managers, two of whom shall be designees of the Buyer and the other shall be a designee of PT Intermediate.

 

Debt Financing

 

In connection with the entry into the Unit Purchase Agreement, on June 14, 2017, Ashford entered into a debt financing commitment letter and related term sheet with Comerica Bank (the “ Commitment Letter ”), pursuant to which the parties agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Commitment Letter, to enter into the Acquisition Loan Agreement, which shall provide for: (i) a senior term loan in an amount of $12,000,000, the proceeds of which may be applied to fund, in part, the acquisition of the Purchased Units; (ii) a senior secured revolving line of credit in an amount of $3,000,000 for working capital; and (iii) a facility to finance the purchase of equipment in an amount of $3,000,000.

 

The descriptions of the Unit Purchase Agreement, the Voting Agreement, the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, the Commitment Letter and other agreements described above do not purport to describe all of the terms of such agreements and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of such agreements, copies of which are filed as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

The foregoing description of the Unit Purchase Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and the other exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K furnished herewith are intended to provide information regarding the terms of the Unit Purchased Agreement, and are not intended to modify or supplement any factual disclosures about Ashford in its public reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange

 

3



 

Commission (the “ SEC ”).  In particular, the Unit Purchase Agreement and the related summary are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, disclosures regarding any facts and circumstances relating to Ashford or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.  The Unit Purchase Agreement contains representations and warranties by the Buyer, which were made only for purposes of that agreement and as of specified dates.  The representations, warranties and covenants in the Unit Purchase Agreement were made solely for the benefit of the parties to the Unit Purchase Agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Unit Purchase Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors.  In addition, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may change after the date of the Unit Purchase Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in Ashford’s public disclosures.  The Unit Purchase Agreement and the other agreements described above should not be read alone, but should instead be read in conjunction with the other information regarding Ashford that is or will be contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other documents that Ashford files or has filed with the SEC.  The foregoing summaries are also not intended, and will not be deemed, to modify, amend, alter, waive or interpret any provision of any of the documents in connection with the Transactions.

 

ITEM 3.02  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

As described in Item 1.01 above, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Unit Purchase Agreement, at the closing, Ashford will issue shares of Ashford Common Stock with an aggregate value of $4,250,000.

 

The share issuance is made in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act since the share issuance does not involve any public offering.  The information in Item 1.01 above is incorporated into this Item 3.02 by reference.

 

ITEM 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

2.1*

 

Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2017, by and among Presentation Technologies, Inc., Monroe Jost, Kevin Jost, Todd Jost and PT Holdco, LLC.

 

 

 

10.1

 

Commitment Letter, dated as of June 14, 2017, by and between Ashford Inc. and Comerica Bank.

 

 

 

99.1

 

Form of the Voting Agreement by and among Ashford Inc., PT Intermediate, LLC, Presentation Technologies Holdings, Inc., Monroe Jost, Kevin Jost and Todd Jost.

 

 

 

99.2

 

Form of Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Presentation Technologies, LLC.

 


* The disclosure schedules referenced in the Unit Purchase Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.  Ashford hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally a copy of the omitted disclosure schedules upon request by the SEC.

 

4



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 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.

 

Dated: July 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

ASHFORD INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David A. Brooks

 

 

David A. Brooks

 

 

Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

 

5


Exhibit 2.1

 

Execution Copy

 

 

 

UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

MONROE JOST,
KEVIN JOST

 

and

 

TODD JOST,
together, as “ Seller Parties

 

PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,
as the “ Company

 

and

 

PT HOLDCO, LLC
as “ Buyer

 

Dated as of July 25, 2017

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

1

 

 

1.1

Certain Definitions

1

1.2

Terms Defined Elsewhere

11

 

 

 

ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE TRANSACTIONS

12

 

 

2.1

Purchase and Sale of the Units

12

2.2

Purchase Price

12

2.3

Closing

12

2.4

Post-Closing Adjustment

12

2.5

Conditions to the Obligations of the Company, Seller and Seller Parties

13

2.6

Conditions to the Obligations of Buyer

15

2.7

Tax Withholding

19

 

 

 

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES

19

 

 

3.1

Organization; Authorization

19

3.2

Noncontravention

20

3.3

Capitalization; Subsidiaries

20

3.4

Financial Statements

22

3.5

No Material Adverse Effect

23

3.6

Absence of Certain Developments

23

3.7

Real Property

25

3.8

Assets

25

3.9

Tax Matters

25

3.10

Contracts

28

3.11

Intellectual Property Rights

30

3.12

Litigation

30

3.13

Brokerage

31

3.14

Employees

31

3.15

Product and Service Warranties

33

3.16

Employee Benefit Plans

33

3.17

Insurance

36

3.18

Compliance with Laws; Permits; Certain Operations

36

3.19

Environmental and Safety Matters

37

3.20

Names and Locations; Officers, Managers and Bank Accounts

37

3.21

Customers; Vendors

37

3.22

Affiliated Transactions

38

3.23

Unlawful Payments

38

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND SELLER PARTIES

38

 

 

4.1

Authorization; Ownership of Units

38

4.2

Noncontravention; Consents

39

4.3

Litigation

39

4.4

Brokerage

39

 

 

 

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

39

 

 

5.1

Organization; Authorization

40

5.2

Noncontravention; Consents

40

5.3

Brokerage

40

 

i



 

5.4

Litigation

40

5.5

Acquisition Loan Agreement

40

5.6

Sufficiency of Funds

41

5.7

Investment Purpose

41

5.8

Ashford Common Stock

41

5.9

Capitalization

41

5.10

SEC Reports

41

5.11

Investment Company

42

5.12

Listing

42

5.13

Absence of Certain Changes or Events

42

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI INTERIM CLOSING COVENANTS

42

 

 

6.1

Affirmative Covenants of the Acquired Companies

42

6.2

Negative Covenants of the Acquired Companies

43

6.3

Affirmative Covenants of the Buyer

44

6.4

Good Faith Negotiation; Cooperation

45

6.5

Access

45

6.6

Exclusivity

46

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

46

 

 

7.1

Survival of Representations and Warranties

46

7.2

General Indemnification

47

7.3

Certain Tax Matters

49

7.4

Press Release; Confidentiality

52

7.5

Expenses

53

7.6

Further Transfers

53

7.7

Restrictive Covenants

53

7.8

Release

55

7.9

Tax Treatment of Indemnity Payments

56

7.10

Allocation and Payment of 2017 Employee Bonuses

56

7.11

Covenants Relating to TAV

56

7.12

Covenants Relating to CDI

57

7.13

Covenants Relating to SIID

58

7.14

Covenants Relating to J&S Audio Visual DR

58

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION

58

 

 

8.1

Termination

58

8.2

Effect of Termination

59

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

59

 

 

9.1

Amendment and Waiver

59

9.2

Notices

59

9.3

Assignment

60

9.4

Severability

60

9.5

Interpretation

60

9.6

Schedules

60

9.7

Entire Agreement

61

9.8

Counterparts; Electronic Delivery

61

9.9

Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction

61

9.10

Specific Performance

61

9.11

No Third-Party Beneficiaries

62

 

ii



 

Schedules

 

Schedule 1.2

Key Employees

Schedule 2.6(c)

Required Consents

Schedule 2.6(n)

Collective Bargaining

Schedule 2.6(x)(v)

Affiliate Contracts to be Terminated

Schedule 2.6(x)(vi)

Liens to be Released at Closing

Schedule 3.1

Organization; Authorization

Schedule 3.2

Noncontravention

Schedule 3.3(a)

Capitalization

Schedule 3.3(b)(i)

Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date

Schedule 3.3(b)(ii)

Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date

Schedule 3.3(b)(iii)

Prior Subsidiaries

Schedule 3.3(b)(iv)

Liens on Equity Interests

Schedule 3.4(a)

Financial Statements

Schedule 3.4(b)

Undisclosed Liabilities

Schedule 3.4(d)

Indebtedness

Schedule 3.6

Absence of Certain Developments

Schedule 3.7

Real Property

Schedule 3.8

Assets

Schedule 3.8(a)

Permitted Liens

Schedule 3.8(b)

Assets / Equipment Leases and Financing

Schedule 3.9

Tax Matters

Schedule 3.9(a)

Late Tax Filings, Outstanding Taxes, Tax Liens or Other Tax Matters

Schedule 3.9(b)

Tax Audits

Schedule 3.9(c)

Waivers / Extensions for Tax Filings

Schedule 3.10(a)

Material Contracts

Schedule 3.10(b)

Contracts Exceptions

Schedule 3.10(c)

Oral Contracts

Schedule 3.11

Intellectual Proprietary Rights

Schedule 3.11(b)

Intellectual Property

Schedule 3.11(c)

Intellectual Property Rights Exceptions

Schedule 3.12

Litigation

Schedule 3.13

Brokerage

Schedule 3.14

Employees

Schedule 3.14(b)

Lawsuits or Claims Currently Pending or Threatened by Employees/Contractors

Schedule 3.14(c)

Employees of the Acquired Companies

Schedule 3.14(d)

Independent Contractors of Acquired Companies

Schedule 3.15

Product and Service Warranties

Schedule 3.16(a)

Employee Benefit Plans

Schedule 3.16(b)

Multiemployer Plans

Schedule 3.16(f)

Severance Compensation or Benefits

Schedule 3.17

Insurance

Schedule 3.18

Compliance with Laws; Permits

Schedule 3.18(a)

Compliance with Laws

Schedule 3.18(b)

Permits

Schedule 3.20

Names and Locations; Officers, Managers and Bank Accounts

Schedule 3.21

Customers; Vendors

Schedule 3.22

Affiliated Transactions

Schedule 6.2

Negative Covenants

 

iii



 

Schedule 7.3(i)

Allocation Schedule

Schedule 7.11(a)

TAV Assets

Schedule 7.11(c)

Transfer of Employees

 

iv



 

UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Unit Purchase Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of July 25, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and among (i) Presentation Technologies, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “ Company ”), (ii) Monroe Jost (“ Monroe ”), (iii) Kevin Jost (“ Kevin ”) and (iv) Todd Jost (“ Todd ” and, together with Monroe and Kevin, the “ Seller Parties ” and each a “ Seller Party ”) and (v) PT Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Buyer ”).  Buyer, the Company and Seller Parties are referred to herein collectively as the “ Parties ” and each as a “ Party .”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , Seller Parties currently own beneficially and of record all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company (collectively, the “ Common Stock ”);

 

WHEREAS , Seller Parties desire to consummate a sale/rollover restructuring transaction involving the Seller Parties, the Company and its subsidiaries as set forth in the “Sale/Rollover Transaction” memorandum attached hereto as Schedule D (the “ Restructuring ”);

 

WHEREAS , as part of the Restructuring, the Company will convert from a Texas corporation to a Delaware limited liability company under the name “Presentation Technologies, LLC”;

 

WHEREAS , subsequent to the Restructuring, (i) the Seller Parties will own beneficially and of record all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Presentation Technologies Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”), (ii) Parent and the Seller Parties will own beneficially and of record all of the issued and outstanding ownership interest in PT Intermediate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Seller ”), (iii) Seller will own beneficially and of record all of the issued and outstanding units representing membership interests of the Company (collectively, the “ Units ”); and

 

WHEREAS , on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, and Seller Parties desire to cause Seller to sell to Buyer, eighty five percent (85%) of the outstanding Units of the Company (the “ Purchased Units ”).

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements and understandings contained herein and intending to be legally bound, the Parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

1.1          Certain Definitions .  For purposes of this Agreement, capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth below.

 

Accounting Principles ” means GAAP determined on a year-end closing of the books basis taking into account all known adjustments, irrespective of materiality.

 

Acquisition Loan Agreement ” means the Loan Agreement entered into in connection with this Agreement between the Company and Comerica.

 



 

Acquisition Loan Amount ” means, as of the Closing Date, the amount of Indebtedness incurred under the Acquisition Loan Agreement that is explicitly used to fund the purchase of the Purchased Units purchased by Buyer from Seller hereunder.

 

Affiliate ” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, its capacity as a sole or managing member or otherwise.

 

Ancillary Agreements ” means the Escrow Agreement, the LLC Agreement, the Employment Agreements, the Office Lease, the Voting Agreement and any other agreement, document, certificate or instrument expressly contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Ashford ” means Ashford Inc., a Maryland corporation.

 

Ashford Common Stock ” means the common stock of Ashford, par value $0.01.

 

Ashford Common Stock Consideration ” means the number of shares of Ashford Common Stock obtained by dividing (i) $4,250,000 by (ii) the Fair Market Value of Ashford Common Stock.  Any fraction of a share shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

 

Ashford SEC Reports ” means all forms, reports and other documents publicly filed by Ashford with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act since May 1, 2016, including any audited or unaudited financial statements and any notes thereto or schedules included therein (including those that Ashford may file after the Effective Date and prior to the Closing Date).

 

Business Day ” means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or one on which banks are authorized by Law to be closed in Dallas, Texas.

 

Buyer Indemnified Parties ” means Buyer and its Affiliates (including, following the Closing, the Acquired Companies) and their respective direct and indirect stockholders, members, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.  For the avoidance of doubt, “Buyer Indemnified Parties” do not include Seller or Seller Parties.

 

Cash ” means actual cash and cash equivalents (including marketable securities, short term investments and received but uncashed checks) held by the Acquired Companies (excluding and reduced by any (x) issued but uncleared checks and (y) Restricted Cash), in each case, determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles.

 

CDI ” means Corporación y Dirección Integral, S.C.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, along with the Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder, and any reference to any particular Code Section or Treasury Regulation shall be interpreted to include any revision of or successor to that Section or Treasury Regulation regardless of how numbered or classified.

 

Company Confidential Information ” means all information of a confidential or proprietary nature (whether or not specifically labeled or identified as “confidential”), in any form or medium, that relates to the business, products, services, research and development, relationships and goodwill of the Acquired Companies, their Affiliates and/or their suppliers, distributors, customers, independent contractors and/or other business relations.  Company Confidential Information may include, but is not

 

2



 

limited to, the following: (i) internal business information (including historical and projected financial information and budgets and information relating to strategic and staffing plans and practices, business, training, marketing, promotional and sales plans and practices, cost, rate and pricing structures and accounting and business methods); (ii) identities of, individual requirements of, specific contractual arrangements with, information about, and contacts at suppliers, distributors, customers, independent contractors or other business relations and their confidential information; (iii) trade secrets, source code and methods of operation relating to the Acquired Companies’ products or services or business, know-how, compilations of data and analyses, techniques, systems, formulae, research, records, reports, manuals, documentation, models, data and data bases relating thereto; and (iv) inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable).

 

Contract ” means any (i) contract, license, sublicense, mortgage, purchase order, indenture, loan agreement, note, lease, sublease, (ii) binding agreement, obligation, commitment, understanding, instrument or other arrangement or (iii) any legally binding commitment to enter into any of the foregoing (in each case, whether written or oral and including any amendments and other modifications thereto).

 

Current Assets ” means the current assets of the Acquired Companies (on a consolidated basis), determined in accordance with GAAP and, to the extent consistent with GAAP, using the same accounting methods, practices, principles, policies and procedures that were used in the preparation of the Acquired Companies’ Financial Statements (on a consolidated basis) for the most recent fiscal year.  Schedule F sets forth an example calculation of Current Assets; provided however , for purposes of clarity, this defined term shall only be modified by Schedule F for the purposes of the calculation of Working Capital and in all other instances this defined term shall govern with no such modifications.

 

Current Liabilities ” means the current liabilities of the Acquired Companies (on a consolidated basis), determined in accordance with GAAP and, to the extent consistent with GAAP, using the same accounting methods, practices, principles, policies and procedures, that were used in the preparation of the Acquired Companies’ Financial Statements (on a consolidated basis) for the most recent fiscal year; provided , however , that “Current Liabilities” shall exclude all amounts comprising Indebtedness. Schedule F sets forth an example calculation of Current Liabilities; provided further , however , for purposes of clarity, this defined term shall only be modified by Schedule F for the purposes of the calculation of Working Capital and in all other instances this defined term shall govern with no such modifications.

 

Dominican Employment Liabilities ” means any employee severance payments owed by J&S Audio Visual DR to its employees as of the Closing Date, including without limitation, accrued but unpaid wages, social security contributions, benefit contributions and premiums, severance costs, accrued vacation time and all other amounts that J&S Audio Visual DR would be required to pay in order to terminate the employees in compliance with applicable Laws, and all employee contributions and amounts due to employees of J&S Audio Visual DR by virtue of tax, labor and social security obligations.

 

Employment Agreements ” means the Employment Agreements attached as Schedule A-1 (with Kevin) and Schedule A-2 (with Monroe), respectively.

 

Environmental and Safety Requirements ” means, whenever in effect, all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, regulations, ordinances, codes and other provisions having the force or effect of Law, all judicial and administrative orders and determinations, Laws concerning worker health and safety, or pollution or protection of the environment, including all those relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, release, threatened release, control or cleanup of any hazardous materials,

 

3



 

substances or wastes, chemical substances or mixtures, pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, toxic chemicals, petroleum products or byproducts, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, noise or radiation.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, along with the regulations and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder, and any reference to any particular Section of ERISA or regulation shall be interpreted to include any revision of or successor to that Section or regulations regardless of how numbered or classified.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means any Person that, together with any Acquired Company, is or was (at any relevant time) treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

Equity Interest ” means, with respect to any Person, any share, capital stock, partnership interest, membership interest or similar interest or other indicia of equity or equity-like ownership (including, any option, warrant, profits interest or similar right or security convertible, exchangeable or exercisable therefor or other instrument or right the value of which is based on any of the foregoing, including any phantom interest) in such Person.

 

Escrow Agent ” means Comerica Bank.

 

Escrow Agreement ” means the Escrow Agreement to be entered into by Buyer, Seller and Escrow Agent in substantially the form attached as Schedule B , pursuant to which the Escrow Shares shall be held, maintained and disbursed by the Escrow Agent in support and satisfaction of the indemnification obligations of Seller and Seller Parties under Section 7.2(a) .

 

Escrow Fund ” means the Escrow Shares deposited with the Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, which as of the Closing Date shall be equal to the Ashford Common Stock Consideration.

 

Escrow Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Escrow Agreement.

 

Estimated Indebtedness ” means an estimate of the Indebtedness of the Company determined in good faith by the Seller and Seller Parties as of the Closing Date.  For purposes of calculating Estimated Indebtedness, all interest, prepayment penalties, premiums, fees and expenses (if any) of any Indebtedness which the Buyer has informed the Seller or Seller Parties it intends to payoff at Closing, which would be payable if such Indebtedness were paid in full at Closing, shall be treated as Indebtedness.

 

Fair Market Value ” means the volume weighted average price per share of Ashford Common Stock over the thirty (30) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the 5th Business Day prior to the Closing Date; provided , however , in no event shall the Fair Market Value exceed $80.00 or be less than $40.00.

 

Final Cash Purchase Price ” means an amount equal to (i) $21,875,000.00, (ii)  plus the Reinvested Equity Make-Whole Amount, (iii)  minus the product of (A) the amount, if any, that Final Working Capital is less than the Working Capital Floor multiplied by (B) 0.85, (iv)  minus the Final Indebtedness and (v)  minus any Foreign Withholding Amounts.

 

Final Indebtedness ” means the Indebtedness of the Company at Closing.  For purposes of calculating Final Indebtedness, all interest, prepayment penalties, premiums, fees and expenses (if any) of any Indebtedness which the Buyer paid off in full at Closing pursuant to Section 2.5(f)(v)  shall be treated as Indebtedness.

 

4



 

Firm ” shall initially mean, (i) with respect to accounting and tax disputes, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and (ii) with respect to valuation matters or disputes, Duff & Phelps; provided, however if at the time of the applicable matter or dispute either of those firms has any business dealings with either the Buyer or Seller Parties or their Affiliates, then the party with whom such firm has business dealings will propose a list of at least three other reputable accounting firms, and the other party shall choose from such list the entity that shall act as “Firm” with respect to the such dispute.

 

Foreign Withholding Amount(s) ” means Taxes or other amounts, if any, required by one or more foreign jurisdictions to be withheld by Buyer and remitted to authorities of such foreign jurisdiction(s) as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Fundamental Representations ” means the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.1 (Organization; Authorization); 3.3 (Capitalization; Subsidiaries); 3.9 (Tax Matters); 3.13 (Brokerage); 3.16 (Employee Benefit Plans); 3.19 (Environmental); 4.1 (Authorization; Ownership of Units); 4.4 (Brokerage); solely with respect to J&S Audiovisual Mexico and J&S Audio Visual DR, Section 3.14 (Employees); and solely with respect to any and all employment related representations and Taxes relating to J&S Audiovisual Mexico and J&S Audio Visual DR, Sections 3.6 (Absence of Certain Developments), 3.10 (Contracts), 3.18 (Compliance with Laws; Permits; Certain Operations), and 3.19 (Environmental and Safety Matters).

 

GAAP ” means (i) with respect to the Company and J & S Audio Visual Communications, Inc., United States generally accepted accounting principles and practices as in effect from time to time, consistently applied; and (ii) with respect to J&S Audiovisual Mexico and J&S Audio Visual DR, Mexican Financial Reporting Standards or International Financial Reporting Standards, as in effect from time to time and consistently applied.

 

Governmental Entity ” means any nation or government, any state, province or other political subdivision thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any court, arbitrator or other body or administrative, regulatory or quasi-judicial authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality of any federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction.

 

Hazardous Materials ” means all chemicals, pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, or other substances for which liability or standards of conduct may be imposed under Environmental and Safety Requirements, and shall include without limitation any petroleum products or byproducts, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, noise, odors and radiation.

 

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination without duplication, the sum of:  (a) all indebtedness of such Person, including for borrowed money, or issued in substitution for, or in exchange of, such indebtedness, whether current or funded, secured or unsecured; (b) all Liabilities of such Person evidenced by any note, bond, debenture or other debt security; (c) all Liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property or services with respect to which such Person is liable as obligor or otherwise, including any earnout or other deferred purchase price liabilities and all deferred rent and long-term lease liabilities; (d) all Liabilities of such Person secured by a purchase money mortgage or other Liens; (e) all Liabilities under any synthetic lease or any lease which has been, or should be under GAAP, recorded as a capital lease; (f) all Liabilities for, or with respect to, any “success fees” or bonuses, change in control payments, retention payments, severance payments, termination and change of control arrangements and similar Liabilities that are owed to any Person before, on or after the Closing arising from or that otherwise will be triggered, either automatically or with the passage of time, in whole or in part, by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including all transaction-related bonuses or accelerated benefits payable to any officer, director,

 

5



 

employee, partner or Affiliate of the Acquired Companies (and all Taxes payable by the Acquired Companies, including the employer’s share of payroll Taxes, related thereto, but specifically excluding the $300,000 aggregate retention bonus described in paragraph two of Section VIII of the LOI)); (g) all outstanding checks written against such Person’s accounts (including cash book overdrafts and issued but uncashed checks); (h) all Liabilities with respect to any interest rate swaps or hedging arrangements; (i) in the case of the Acquired Companies, all Liabilities and other amounts owed by the Acquired Companies to Seller, a Seller Party or any of Seller’s or Seller Parties’ Affiliates; (j) all amounts owed to any Person under any pension or deferred compensation arrangements; (k) all accrued interest, fees and other expenses owed with respect to the Indebtedness referred to herein, including but not limited to, prepayment penalties, consent fees, “breakage” costs, “break fees,” make-whole amounts or similar payments or contractual charges; (l) all accrued and unpaid Taxes of the Acquired Companies for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods; and (m) all Liabilities arising out of any breach of the foregoing obligations.  Indebtedness shall not include those items set forth on Schedule 1.1 .  For purposes of clarity, Indebtedness of the Acquired Companies incurred pursuant to the Acquisition Loan Agreement shall not be included in the calculation of “Estimated Indebtedness” or “Final Indebtedness”.  Any amounts captured under both the definition of “Indebtedness” (including “Estimated Indebtedness” and “Final Indebtedness”) and Restricted Cash (including “Cash”) shall only be counted once in any context that requires the calculation or use of both such concepts.  Customer deposits shall not be considered “Indebtedness”.

 

Indemnity Value ” means the volume weighted average of the price per share of Ashford Common Stock in the Escrow Fund over the thirty (30) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the Determination Date (defined in Section 7.2(e) ) or Release Date (defined in Section 7.2(e) ), as applicable.

 

Initial Cash Purchase Price ” means an amount equal to (i) $21,875,000.00, (ii)  plus the Reinvested Equity Make-Whole Amount, (iii)  minus the product of (A) the amount, if any, by which Estimated Working Capital is less than the Working Capital Floor multiplied by (B) 0.85, (iv)  minus the Estimated Indebtedness and (v)  minus any Foreign Withholding Amounts.

 

Insider ” means, (i) an Affiliate of the Acquired Companies, (ii) for a corporation, any officer, Key Employee, stockholder or member of the board of directors, (iii) for a limited liability company, any officer, Key Employee, owner of units, membership interests or other equity interests, member or manager, (iv) any natural person related by marriage to any Person in (i)-(iii) or (v) any entity in which any such Person in (i) — (iv) owns any beneficial interest, other than a passive investment of not more than 5%.

 

Intellectual Property Rights ” means all of the following, in any jurisdiction throughout the world:  (i) patents, patent disclosures and inventions (whether or not patentable and whether or not reduced to practice) and any reissue, continuation, continuation-in-part, divisional, extension or reexamination thereof; (ii) trademarks, service marks and trade dress, logos, slogans, Internet domain names and other indicia of origin, together with all goodwill associated therewith; (iii) original works of authorship (whether or not copyrightable) copyrights and copyrightable works; (iv) registrations, applications for registration, and renewals of any of the foregoing; (v) rights in computer software (including (A) computer programs, including any and all software implementations of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code or object code, (B) databases and compilations, including any and all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (C)  descriptions, schematics, flowcharts and other work product used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, and (D) all documentation, including user documentation, user manuals and training materials, relating to any of the foregoing); and (vi) trade secrets and other Company Confidential Information, including ideas, know-how, processes and techniques, research and development information, drawings, specifications, designs, plans, proposals and technical data and manuals.

 

6



 

J&S Audio Visual DR ” means J&S Audio Visual Dominican Republic, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, duly authorized to operate in the Dominican Republic under Mercantile Registry No. 2725LA and Tax ID No. 1-30-56849-9.

 

J&S Audiovisual Mexico ” means J&S Audiovisual Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

Key Employee ” means any employee of the Company (or Affiliate of the Company) that possesses significant decision making authority and/or significant operational control, including those individuals listed on Schedule 1.2 .

 

Knowledge ” as used in the phrases “to the Knowledge of Company”, “to the Company’s Knowledge” or phrases of similar import means the actual knowledge of each of the following individuals after conducting a reasonable inquiry and investigation: (i) with respect to the applicable Acquired Company, Monroe, Kevin and Julieta Calderon, (ii) with respect to J&S Audio Visual DR, Javier De la Torre Ramos, and (iii) with respect to J&S Audiovisual Mexico, Brian Hudson Barnes and Jens Hollich.

 

Law ” means any constitutional provision, statute or other law (including common law), rule, ordinance, code, requirement, regulation, administrative ruling or executive order in the United States of America, any foreign country or any domestic or foreign national state, provincial, municipal or other local political subdivision thereof issued or promulgated by any Governmental Entity.

 

Liability ” means any liability, debt, obligation, deficiency, interest, Tax, penalty, fine, demand, judgment, cause of action or other loss (including loss of benefit), damage, cost or expense of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, known or unknown, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not foreseeable, and whether due or become due and regardless of when asserted.

 

Lien ” means any lien, security interest, pledge, bailment (in the nature of a pledge or for purposes of security), mortgage, deed of trust, conditional sales and title retention agreement (including any lease in the nature thereof), charge, hypothecation, encumbrance, condition, option, covenant, any filing or agreement to file a financing statement as a debtor under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar statute other than to reflect ownership by a third party of property leased to any Acquired Company under a lease which is not in the nature of a conditional sale or title retention agreement or any restriction on transfer (other than, with respect to the Units, as imposed by applicable securities laws) or obligation to create the foregoing.

 

LLC Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company in the form attached as Schedule C .

 

LOI ” means the Letter of Intent by and between Ashford Hospitality Advisors, LLC, Presentation Technologies, Inc. (the predecessor by conversion to the Company), J & S Audio Visual Communications, Inc., J&S Audiovisual Mexico and J&S Audio Visual DR dated September 26, 2016, as amended.

 

Loss ” means any loss, claim, liability, Tax or damage whether or not arising out of third party claims and the reasonable costs and expenses incurred therewith (including interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, fees and disbursements of investigators, consultants, expert witnesses, accountants and other professionals and all other amounts paid in investigation, defense, assertion or settlement of any of the foregoing and the enforcement of any rights hereunder).

 

7



 

Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, circumstance, state of facts, change or development that, individually or in the aggregate, has, or would reasonably be expected to have, (i) a material and adverse effect, change or development upon the business, operations, assets, Liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) of the Acquired Companies, or (ii) a material and adverse effect or delay on the ability of Seller or the Acquired Companies to perform any of their respective obligations under this Agreement or to consummate any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the ability of Buyer to receive the full benefit of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case other than to the extent directly resulting from (a) any change in general economic conditions overall and in the industries or markets in which an Acquired Company operates, (b) national or international political conditions, including any engagement in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war or the occurrence of any military or terrorist attack, (c) any act or omission required by this Agreement, (d) the announcement of the pendency or completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (e) any changes in applicable Laws or accounting rules, including GAAP, except, in each of the cases of clauses (a)  and (b) , to the extent such event, circumstance, change, occurrence, development, fact or effect has a disproportionate impact on the Acquired Companies as compared to other participants in the industry in which the Acquired Companies conduct their business.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, which is subject to ERISA but whether or not subject to Title IV of ERISA.

 

Office Lease ” means a commercial lease agreement by and between the Company and JS Royal Lane Owner, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, the terms of which shall provide for (i) a triple-net, ten-year lease (with two ten-year renewal options in the discretion of the Company at prevailing market rates), (ii) an initial first year rental rate of $25,000 per month and (iii) annual rate increases, if any, consistent with the Consumer Price Index (if positive).

 

Order ” means any judgment, decision, decree, order, settlement, injunction, writ, stipulation, determination, charge, ruling or award of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator.

 

Ordinary Course of Business ” means the ordinary course of business of the Acquired Companies, consistent with past practice, including with regard to nature, frequency and magnitude.

 

Permits ” means all licenses, permits, certificates of authority, consents, certificates, authorizations, approvals, non objections, consents, registrations, franchises and similar privileges or rights to operate or conduct any business granted by any Governmental Entity.

 

Permitted Liens ” are (i) those items set forth in Schedule 3.8(a) ; (ii) liens for Taxes not yet due and payable; (iii) liens for Taxes which are being contested in good faith and identified on Schedule 3.8(a); (iv) any Lien of any landlord, carrier, warehouseman, mechanic, materialman and any like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business for sums that are not delinquent; (v) easements, rights of way, zoning ordinances and other similar Liens affecting real property; and (vi) all leases, licenses or subleases listed on Schedule 3.7 and 3.8(b) .

 

Person ” means any natural person, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated association, corporation, limited liability company, entity or governmental entity (whether federal, state, county, city or otherwise and including any instrumentality, division, agency or department thereof).

 

Plan ” means any agreement, plan, policy, program, practice or arrangement (including all amendments and all related trust and custodial agreements, funding arrangements, insurance and annuity contracts), whether or not funded, that provides or is designed to provide any form of compensation (other

 

8



 

than salary, wages or commissions paid in the ordinary course through an employer’s standard payroll) or benefit to or for any current or former employee, officer, director, manager, consultant, independent contractor, leased employee or other service provider, or any spouse, dependent, beneficiary or alternate payee of any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, any comprising pensions, retirement, deferred compensation, employment, consulting, profit-sharing, incentive, bonus, performance award, equity, phantom equity, option, restricted equity, equity purchase, equity-based, change in control, retention, severance, vacation, paid time off, leave of absence, health, life, disability, supplemental unemployment, hospitalization, medical, vision, prescription drug, dental, salary continuation, sick pay, legal benefit, employee assistance, relocation, out-placement or fringe-benefit, including any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not tax-qualified, whether or not subject to ERISA, and whether currently in effect or previously terminated.

 

Proceeding ” means any written complaint, demand, action, claim, counterclaim, suit, charge, grievance, inquiry, arbitration, mediation, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation or other proceeding of any nature (whether civil, criminal, administrative, judicial or investigative, whether public or private) commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Entity or arbitrator.

 

Reinvested Equity Make-Whole Amount ” means a cash amount equal to the product of (i) the Acquisition Loan Amount multiplied by (ii) 0.15.

 

Restricted Cash ” means cash and marketable securities that are subject to a restriction or limitation of any kind, including any cash held as collateral, in each case as determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles.

 

SIID ” means Servicios de Interacción Independiente, S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity, either (A) a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (B) such Person is a general partner, managing member or managing director of such partnership, limited liability company, association or other entity.

 

TAV ” means Transportación AV, S.A. de C.V.

 

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any federal, state, local or non-U.S. income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, escheat, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property (including general and special real estate taxes and assessments, special service area charges, tax increment financing, charges, payments in lieu of taxes and similar charges and assessments), windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, tariff, capital stock, franchise, employees’ income withholding, foreign or domestic withholding, profit sharing, social security contributions or obligations (or similar), Infotep contributions,, unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales (including value added tax), use, transfer, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated or other tax, governmental fee, governmental assessment or governmental charge of any kind relating to Taxes, including any interest, surcharges, indexing, penalties or additions to Tax or additional amounts with respect to the foregoing

 

9



 

including other penalties for violations to Tax Laws, whether disputed or not, and including any obligations to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Tax liability of any other Person.

 

Tax Differential Amount ”  means an amount equal to any additional Taxes the Seller Parties will incur as result of the Restructuring and the sale of the Purchased Units by Seller as compared to the Tax liability that would have resulted to the Seller Parties had the Seller Parties sold 85% of the stock of the Company and 85% of the ownership interest of the Seller Parties in J&S Audiovisual Mexico and J&S Audio Visual DR prior to the Restructuring.

 

Tax Make-up Amount ” means the Tax Differential Amount grossed up to cover all Taxes on the Tax Differential Amount assuming the maximum marginal tax rates in effect on the Closing Date.  Seller shall compute the Tax Make-up Amount and submit to Buyer in writing an estimate of the Tax Make-up Amount no later than 10 days after the Seller Parties’ receipt of the relevant determination as defined in Section 1313(a) of the Code. If Buyer disputes the Tax Make-up Amount, Buyer shall notify Seller in writing of its objection within 30 days after Buyer’s written receipt of Seller’s computation of the Tax Make-up Amount, together with a written description of the basis for and dollar amount of such disputed items (to the extent possible), all in reasonable detail (a “ Tax Make-up Dispute Notice ”).  The Tax Make-up Amount as set forth in the Seller’s written notice to Buyer shall become final, conclusive and binding on the Parties unless Buyer delivers to Seller a Tax Make-up Dispute Notice within such 30-day period.  If Buyer and Seller are unable to resolve the dispute, they shall submit all items remaining in dispute to the Firm for resolution by delivering to the Firm, within 10 calendar days after the expiration of such 30 day period, their written position with respect to such items remaining in dispute.  All fees and expenses relating to the work, if any, to be performed by the Firm shall be paid fifty percent (50%) by Buyer, on the one hand, and fifty percent (50%) by Seller, on the other hand.  The Firm shall determine, based solely on the submissions by Seller and Buyer, and not by independent review, only those issues set forth in the Tax Make-up Dispute Notice (and those raised by Seller in response thereto) that remain in dispute.  The Parties shall request that the Firm make a decision with respect to all disputed items within 30 calendar days after the submissions of the Parties, as provided above, and in any event as promptly as practicable.  The final determination with respect to all dispute items shall be set forth in a written statement delivered to Seller and Buyer and shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties.  Buyer and Seller shall promptly execute any reasonable engagement letter requested by the Firm and shall each cooperate fully with the Firm so as to enable it to make such determination as quickly and as accurately as practicable.

 

Tax Returns ” means returns, declarations, reports, claims for refund, information returns or other documents (including any related or supporting schedules, statements or information, and including any amendments thereof) related to Taxes of any party or the administration of any laws, regulations or administrative requirements relating to any Taxes.

 

Treasury Regulations ” means the United States Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, and any reference to any particular Treasury Regulation Section shall be interpreted to include any final or temporary revision of or successor to that Section regardless of how numbered or classified.

 

Voting Agreement ” means the Voting Agreement between the Company and Seller in the form attached as Schedule E .

 

Working Capital ” means, on a consolidated basis with respect to the Acquired Companies, Current Assets minus Current Liabilities as of 12:01 a.m. Central Time on the Closing Date as set forth and tailored (with specific exclusions and inclusions on a line-item basis) by the example calculation of Working Capital set forth on Schedule F .

 

10



 

Working Capital Floor ” means an amount equal to negative $3,000,000 (-$3,000,000), which shall include Cash.

 

1.2                                Terms Defined Elsewhere .  Each of the following terms has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Article or Section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term

 

Article/Section

Acquired Company; Acquired Companies

 

3.3(b)

Acquisition Proposal

 

6.6

Agreement

 

Preamble

Allocation Statement

 

7.3(i)

Applicable Limitation Date

 

7.1

Basket

 

7.2(c)

Business Relation

 

7.7(b)

Buyer

 

Preamble

Cap

 

7.2(c)

Closing

 

2.3

Closing Date

 

2.3

Closing Estimate Statement

 

2.2

Closing Items

 

2.4(a)

Closing Statement

 

2.4(a)

Company

 

Preamble

Company IP

 

3.11

Company Employee Benefit Plan

 

3.16(a)

Dispute Notice

 

2.4(b)

Effective Date

 

Preamble

Estimated Indebtedness

 

2.2

Estimated Foreign Withholding Amounts

 

2.2

Estimated Working Capital

 

2.2

Excess Amount

 

2.4(c)

Financial Statements

 

3.4(a)

Final Indebtedness

 

2.4(a)

Final Foreign Withholding Amounts

 

2.4(a)

Improvements

 

3.7

Indemnitee

 

7.2(g)

Indemnitor

 

7.2(g)

IRS

 

3.16(b)

Kevin

 

Preamble

Latest Balance Sheet

 

3.4(a)

Lease

 

3.7

Leased Real Property

 

3.7

Material Contract

 

3.10(b)

Material Customers

 

3.21

Material Vendors

 

3.21

Monroe

 

Preamble

Outside Date

 

8.1(c)

Parent

 

Preamble

Party

 

Preamble

Pre-Closing Tax Period

 

7.3(a)

Straddle Period

 

7.3(c)

Purchased Units

 

Recitals

 

11



 

Term

 

Article/Section

Restricted Business

 

7.7(a)

Restricted Period

 

7.7(a)

Resolution Period

 

2.4(b)

Sellers

 

Preamble

Seller Parties

 

Preamble

Subsidiaries

 

3.3(b)

Shortfall Amount

 

2.4(c)

Tax Contest

 

7.3(d)

Terminating Party

 

8.1(b)

Todd

 

Preamble

Units

 

Recitals

 

ARTICLE II

 

PURCHASE AND SALE TRANSACTIONS

 

2.1                                Purchase and Sale of the Units .  On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, at the Closing, Seller shall sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase from Seller, the Purchased Units owned by Seller, free and clear of all Liens.

 

2.2                                Purchase Price .  The aggregate consideration (to be delivered in the manner described in Section 2.5(f) ) for the Purchased Units (the “ Aggregate Purchase Price ”) shall be an aggregate amount equal to (i) the Initial Cash Purchase Price (which may be paid with proceeds from the Acquisition Loan Agreement) and (ii) the delivery of the Ashford Common Stock Consideration.  The Initial Cash Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.4 .  On the Closing Date, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer a statement (the “ Closing Estimate Statement ”) setting forth Seller’s good faith estimate of the following with respect to the Company (and its Subsidiaries): (i) Working Capital (the “ Estimated Working Capital ”), (ii) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness as of immediately prior to the Closing (the  “ Estimated Indebtedness ”) and (iii) the aggregate amount of Foreign Withholding Amounts (the “ Estimated Foreign Withholding Amounts ”).

 

2.3                                Closing .  The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at 10:00 a.m. local time on the Closing Date at the offices of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, 1700 Pacific Avenue, Dallas, Texas, or at such other place as is mutually agreeable to the Parties, on or prior to the later of (i) the third Business Day following the satisfaction or written waiver of all of the closing conditions set forth in Sections 2.5 and 2.6 or (ii) sixteen (16) days following the delivery by the Buyer of the notice to the Dominican tax authorities ( Dirección General de Impuestos Internos ) in accordance with Article 11(k) of the Dominican Tax Code and Section 2.5(f)(vi) , or such other date as is mutually agreeable to Buyer and Seller; provided, however, the Parties agree that the Closing shall occur no later than the Outside Date.  The date and time of the Closing are referred to herein as the “ Closing Date ” and the Closing shall be deemed effective as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the Closing Date.

 

2.4                                Post-Closing Adjustment .

 

(a)                                  Within 60 calendar days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver to Seller a statement (the “ Closing Statement ”) setting forth in reasonable detail Buyer’s calculation of the following items with respect to the Acquired Companies: (each a “ Closing Item ” and collectively the “ Closing Items ”):  (i) Working Capital (as finally determined pursuant to this Section 2.4 , the “ Final Working Capital ”); (ii) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness as of immediately prior to the Closing (as finally determined pursuant to this Section 2.4 , the “ Final Indebtedness ”); (iii) the aggregate amount of Foreign Withholding Amounts (as finally

 

12



 

determined pursuant to this Section 2.4 , the “ Final Foreign Withholding Amounts ”); and (iv) the resulting calculation of the Final Cash Purchase Price.

 

(b)                                  The Seller shall have 30 calendar days within which to review Buyer’s calculation of the Closing Items after Buyer’s delivery of the Closing Statement.  If Seller disputes any of the Closing Items, Seller shall notify Buyer in writing of its objection to such Closing Item(s) within such 30-day period, together with a written description of the basis for and dollar amount of such disputed items (to the extent possible), all in reasonable detail (a “ Dispute Notice ”).  The Closing Items, as set forth in the Closing Statement, shall become final, conclusive and binding on the Parties unless Seller delivers to Buyer a Dispute Notice within such 30-day period.  If Seller timely delivers a Dispute Notice, any amounts on the Closing Statement not objected to by Seller in the Dispute Notice (or by Buyer as a result of the items disputed by Seller in any such Dispute Notice) shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Parties, and Buyer and Seller shall, within 10 calendar days following Buyer’s receipt of such Dispute Notice (the “ Resolution Period ”), attempt in good faith to resolve in writing their differences with respect to the matters set forth in the Dispute Notice (and any matters with respect to the Closing Items which Buyer is disputing as a result of the matters set forth in the Dispute Notice), and any such resolution shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties.  If, at the conclusion of the Resolution Period, any amounts remain in dispute, then each of Buyer and Seller shall submit all items remaining in dispute to the Firm, within 10 calendar days after the expiration of the Resolution Period, their written position with respect to such items remaining in dispute.  All fees and expenses relating to the work, if any, to be performed by the Firm shall be paid fifty percent (50%) by Buyer, on the one hand, and fifty percent (50%) by Seller, on the other hand.  The Firm shall determine, based solely on the submissions by Seller and Buyer, and not by independent review, only those issues set forth in the Dispute Notice (and those raised by Buyer in response thereto) that remain in dispute and shall determine a value for any such disputed item which is equal to or between the final values proposed by Buyer and Seller in their respective submissions.  The Parties shall request that the Firm make a decision with respect to all disputed items within 30 calendar days after the submissions of the Parties, as provided above, and in any event as promptly as practicable.  The final determination with respect to all disputed items shall be set forth in a written statement by the Firm delivered to Seller and Buyer and shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties.  Buyer and Seller shall promptly execute any reasonable engagement letter requested by the Firm and shall each cooperate fully with the Firm so as to enable it to make such determination as quickly and as accurately as practicable.

 

(c)                                   If the Final Cash Purchase Price exceeds the Initial Cash Purchase Price (such excess amount, if any, the “ Excess Amount ”), then Buyer shall, within ten calendar days after the Final Cash Purchase Price is finally determined pursuant to this Section 2.4 , pay to Seller, an aggregate amount equal to the Excess Amount.  If the Final Cash Purchase Price is less than the Initial Cash Purchase Price (such shortfall amount, if any, the “ Shortfall Amount ”), then Seller shall, within ten calendar days after the Final Cash Purchase Price is finally determined pursuant to this Section 2.4 , pay to Buyer an aggregate amount equal to the Shortfall Amount.

 

2.5                                Conditions to the Obligations of the Company, Seller and Seller Parties .  The obligation of the Company, Seller and Seller Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by such Party) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

 

(a)                                  Representations and Warranties .  All of the representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date (other than the representations and warranties as of a specified date, which

 

13



 

shall be true and correct as of such date) as if such representations and warranties were made on and as of that date.

 

(b)                                  Compliance with Agreement .  Buyer shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all of its obligations and covenants under this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c)                                   No Proceeding .  At the Closing Date, no Proceeding (brought by a third party other than the Company, Seller, Seller Parties or any of their Affiliates) shall be pending or threatened seeking to enjoin or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to obtain damages or other relief by reason of such consummation.

 

(d)                                  Governmental Approvals .  All governmental consents and approvals, if any, necessary to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been received.  No Law or Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or restricts the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided however that the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause any such Order to be vacated or lifted.

 

(e)                                   Ancillary Agreements .  The Seller and Seller Parties shall have received fully executed copies of the Ancillary Agreements.

 

(f)                                    Closing Deliveries of Buyer .  Subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at or prior to the Closing:

 

(i)                                      Buyer shall deliver to Seller an officer’s certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by the chief executive officer or president of the Buyer, certifying as to the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in Sections 2.5(a)  through 2.5(d)  and Section 2.5(f)(v) ;

 

(ii)                                   Buyer shall deliver to Seller an amount equal to the Initial Cash Purchase Price (which may be paid with proceeds from the Acquisition Loan Agreement);

 

(iii)                                Buyer shall deliver to Seller the Ashford Common Stock Consideration in accordance with Section 2.5(f)(iv) ;

 

(iv)                               Buyer shall deliver, on behalf of Seller, a stock certificate representing the Escrow Shares to the Escrow Agent, to be held pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement;

 

(v)                                  Buyer shall pay, on behalf of the Company, an amount equal to the Estimated Indebtedness to the payees thereof in accordance with the payoff letters received by Buyer with respect thereto;

 

(vi)                               Buyer shall deliver to Seller proof of the notice delivered to the relevant tax authorities of the Dominican Republic informing of the acquisition of the Purchased Units by the Buyer in accordance with Article 11(k) of the Dominican Tax Code, which notice shall have been approved prior to such delivery by the Seller in its reasonable discretion; and

 

(vii)                            Buyer shall deliver to Seller a duly executed counterpart signature page to each Ancillary Agreement.

 

14



 

2.6                                Conditions to the Obligations of Buyer .  The obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver by Buyer) of the following conditions on or prior to the Closing Date:

 

(a)                                  Representations and Warranties .  All of the representations and warranties of the Acquired Companies, Seller and Seller Parties contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date, as applicable, (other than the representations and warranties which by their express terms are as of a specified date, which shall be true and correct as of such date) as if such representations and warranties were made on and as of that date, except that those representations and warranties that are qualified by materiality, Material Adverse Effect, or similar phrases shall be true and correct in all respects as written on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date, as applicable.

 

(b)                                  Compliance with Agreement .  The Acquired Companies and Seller Parties shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all of the obligations and covenants under this Agreement to be performed by or complied with by such Person on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c)                                   Consents .  The consent and approval of every Person, including any Governmental Entity, listed on Schedule 2.6(c)  attached hereto or otherwise necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained by Seller Parties or the Acquired Companies, at Seller’s sole cost and expense.

 

(d)                                  No Proceeding .  At the Closing Date, no Proceeding (brought by a third party other than Buyer or any of its Affiliates) shall be pending or threatened seeking to enjoin or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to obtain damages or other relief by reason of such consummation.

 

(e)                                   Governmental Approvals .  All governmental consents and approvals, if any, necessary to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been received.  No Law or Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or restricts the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided however that the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause any such Order to be vacated or lifted.

 

(f)                                    Material Adverse Effect .  No event or condition of any character exists or shall have occurred since the date hereof that has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g)                                   Ancillary Agreements .  The Buyer shall have received fully executed copies of the Ancillary Agreements.

 

(h)                                  Dissolution of J&S Audio Visual Jamaica, LLP and PT Mexico Services .  The Seller shall have (i) filed and delivered to Buyer satisfactory evidence of filing of the dissolution of J&S Audio Visual Jamaica, LLP (“ J&S Jamaica ”) and (ii) delivered to Buyer satisfactory evidence of the dissolution of PT Mexico Services, Inc., a Texas corporation (“ PT Mexico Services ”).

 

(i)                                      Debt Financing .  Buyer shall have obtained debt financing pursuant to the Acquisition Loan Agreement, in an amount not less than $12,000,000 and on terms satisfactory to Buyer in its reasonable discretion.

 

15



 

(j)                                     Approval of Ashford Board of Directors .  The board of directors of Ashford shall have approved Buyer’s execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(k)                                  Restructuring .  Buyer shall have obtained satisfactory written evidence that the Restructuring was completed in strict compliance with the “Sale/Rollover” Transaction Memorandum attached hereto as Schedule D (including, without limitation, written evidence that J & S Audio Visual Communications, Inc. was converted to a limited liability company prior to the formation of Seller) and that all Taxes and filings relating thereto that are due and payable as of the Closing Date were timely and duly paid and filed, in compliance with all applicable Laws.

 

(l)                                      Joinder .  Seller and Parent shall have become parties to this Agreement by executing a joinder agreement reasonably satisfactory in form to the Buyer.

 

(m)                              Lease renewals .  The Acquired Companies and Seller Parties shall have renewed the lease agreements relating to the Leased Real Property that have expired pursuant to Schedule 3.7 .

 

(n)                                  Collective Bargaining Agreements .  Prior to Closing, Sellers Parties shall cause the agreement listed on Schedule 2.6(n)  to reflect the current workplace address of J&S Audiovisual Mexico in Cancún, Mexico.

 

(o)                                  Certain Approvals of J&S Audiovisual Mexico .  Prepare and deliver to Buyers, originals of the partners’ meeting resolutions of J&S Audiovisual Mexico, approving: (A) all pending fiscal years; and (B) the allocation of an amount equivalent to 5% of its annual net profits to increase its legal reserve fund, in compliance with applicable Law.

 

(p)                                  Certain Filings of J&S Audiovisual Mexico . Prepare, file and deliver to Buyers originals of all pending filings by J&S Audiovisual Mexico with the Registry of Foreign Investments ( Registro Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras ) and evidence that J&S Audiovisual Mexico is current in its filing obligations before such registry.

 

(q)                                  Release of Bowring Pledge . Seller Parties shall have obtained an executed release of that certain pledge of J&S Audiovisual Mexico equity interests serving as security for that certain debt owed by the Seller Parties and/or the Company to Ronald Bowring and a pay-off letter executed by Ronald Bowring evidencing the pay-off of such debt (the “ Bowring Release ”).

 

(r)                                     Release of Certain Guarantees .  Seller and Seller Parties shall have caused the removal of:

 

(i)                                      J & S Audio Visual Communications, Inc. as a guarantor of the mortgage held by Comerica Bank on the real property covered by the Office Lease;

 

(ii)                                   J & S Audio Visual Communications, Inc. as a guarantor of certain obligations to North Texas Certified Development Corp.;

 

(iii)                                the Company as a guarantor of certain obligations to North Texas Certified Development Corp.;

 

(iv)                               the termination or release of J&S Audiovisual Communications, Inc. as a party to that certain Authorization of Debenture Guarantee with North Texas Certified Development Corp. and JS Royal Lane Owner LLC.

 

16



 

(s)                                    TAV Asset Purchase Agreement . Buyer shall have received a fully executed copy of the TAV Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

(t)                                     Hiring of CDI Owners . J&S Audiovisual Mexico shall have hired the five former owners of CDI on the economic terms substantially similar to the recent historical compensation provided by CDI to such former owners.

 

(u)                                  Closing Deliveries of Seller .  Subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at or prior to the Closing, Seller Parties and the Company shall deliver to Buyer:

 

(i)                                      an officer’s certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by the chief executive officer or president of the Company, certifying as to the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in Sections 2.6(a)  through 2.6(f)  and Sections 2.6(m)  through (t) ;

 

(ii)                                   the certificates (or affidavits of lost certificates in lieu thereof) representing the Units being sold by Seller hereunder, free and clear of all Liens, accompanied by an assignment separate from certificate duly executed by Seller in a form acceptable to Buyer;

 

(iii)                                copies of the original LLC Agreement of the Company and written resolutions duly adopted by the Company’s board of managers and members approving this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby certified by an officer of the Company;

 

(iv)                               a certificate from the Secretary of State or similar authority of the jurisdiction of formation of each Acquired Company and each state and foreign jurisdiction where such Acquired Company is qualified to do business (including the states and foreign jurisdictions listed on Schedule 3.1 ) stating that such Acquired Company is in good standing (or similar certificates in Mexico including a mercantile folio ( folio mercantil ) issued by the corresponding Registry Public of Commerce);

 

(v)                                  evidence of the termination of all Contracts or arrangements with related parties set forth on Schedule 2.6(u)(v)  in form and substance acceptable to Buyer;

 

(vi)                               (A) payoff letters, final invoices or releases relating to any Indebtedness of the Acquired Companies, and (B) releases of Liens set forth on Schedule 2.6(u)(vi)  in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer;

 

(vii)                            the consents set forth on the Schedule 2.6(c)  attached hereto;

 

(viii)                         a certificate of non-foreign status from each of Parent and Seller executed and delivered to Buyer satisfying the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b), in a form satisfactory to Buyer;

 

(ix)                               written resignations of the managers and officers, if any, of the Acquired Companies;

 

(x)                                  a counterpart signature page to each Ancillary Agreement, duly executed by the applicable Seller or Seller Party;

 

(xi)                               landlord consents and estoppel certificates with respect to each of the Leased Real Property as Buyer may reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, and any title insurance policies, surveys, nondisturbance agreements related to the Leased Real Property that the Company, Seller or Seller Parties has in its possession;

 

17



 

(xii)                            a notarial deed issued by a notary public in Mexico containing the formalization of partners’ resolutions of J&S Audiovisual Mexico cancelling all powers of attorney previously granted except for those expressly indicated by Buyer to remain outstanding;

 

(xiii)                         a certificate attesting to an electronic search at the Mexican Registry of Guarantees over Movable Property ( Registro Único de Garantías Mobiliarias ) dated no earlier than three (3) Business Days prior to Closing as to the absence of Liens on the securities and personal or movable property of J&S Audiovisual Mexico;

 

(xiv)                        a certificate duly executed by the Secretary of J&S Audiovisual Mexico attaching a copy of the (y) current bylaws; and (z) last entry in the partners’ registry book and capital variations book duly reflecting the current capital and equity structure of J&S Audiovisual Mexico resulting from the Restructuring;

 

(xv)                           all original corporate books and records of J&S Audiovisual Mexico including, but not limited to, notarial deeds, partners’ meeting minutes book, board of managers’ meeting minutes book, partners’ registry book, and capital variations book, in each case reflecting the capital and equity structure of J&S Audiovisual Mexico resulting from the Restructuring;

 

(xvi)                        A list describing all bank accounts and safe deposit boxes of each Acquired Company, including the name and address of the corresponding banking institution and the identity of the individuals with access or authority to sign or withdraw against such bank accounts and safe deposit boxes;

 

(xvii)                     the Bowring Release;

 

(xviii)                  evidence of the removal of J & S Audio Visual Communications, Inc. as a guarantor of the mortgage held by Comerica Bank on the real property covered by the Office Lease;

 

(xix)                        an original counterpart of the TAV Asset Purchase Agreement duly executed by J&S Audiovisual Mexico and TAV;

 

(xx)                           original tax invoices (CFDI) to Buyers’ satisfaction, reflecting the purchase price allocation agreed upon by the parties with respect to the TAV Assets, clearly identifying each and all of the acquired assets, and separating the consideration allocated for each concept and the applicable Value Added Tax, and in compliance with all applicable requirements pursuant to applicable Mexican Tax Laws;

 

(xxi)                        an original counterpart of the TAV Transportation Services Renewal, the TAV/UNIFIN Assignment Agreement, the CDI Termination of the Gratuitous Bailment Agreement, the CDI Termination of Services Agreement, the SIID Personnel Services Renewal and the Woodson Termination Agreement, duly executed by all appropriate parties indicated thereto;

 

(xxii)                     evidence that J&S Audiovisual Mexico has internal labor regulations (Reglamento Interior de Trabajo) duly in place and registered with the corresponding Governmental Entity in full compliance with applicable Law, and that it has complied with the creation of all employee-employer organizations including but not limited to, profit sharing commission, security and hygiene commission and training commission in full compliance with applicable Law; and

 

18



 

(xxiii)                  Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a certification issued by the Mercantile Registry of the corresponding Chamber of Commerce and Production confirming J&S Audio Visual DR’s valid registration in said institution, not earlier than five (5) days prior to the Closing;

 

(xxiv)                 Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a valid certification issued by the tax administration of the Dominican Republic ( Dirección General de Impuestos Internos ) dated no earlier than five (5) days prior to the Closing certifying J&S Audio Visual DR is up-to date with its tax obligations according to the laws of the Dominican Republic;

 

(xxv)                    Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate from the INFOTEP ( Instituto Nacional de Formación Técnico Profesional ) dated no earlier than five (5) days prior to the Closing certifying that no amounts are due to such institution by J&S Audio Visual DR;

 

(xxvi)                 Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate from Social Security Treasury (TSS) dated no earlier than five (5) days prior to the Closing certifying that no amounts are due to such institution by J&S Audio Visual DR; and

 

(xxvii)              such other deliveries as are reasonably requested by Buyer.

 

2.7                                Tax Withholding .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Buyer or, if applicable, the Company, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any Person such amounts required to be deducted and withheld from such Person (including without limitation any Foreign Withholding Amounts) with respect to the making of such payment under the Code and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any provision of state, local or foreign Law relating to Taxes.  To the extent that amounts are so withheld by Buyer or, if applicable, the Company, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to such Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by Buyer or, if applicable, the Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES

 

As an inducement to Buyer to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, each Seller Party represents and warrants on a joint and several basis to Buyer that the following representations and warranties are true and correct as of the date hereof and the Seller and each Seller Party represents and warrants on a joint and several basis to Buyer that the following representations and warranties will be true and correct as of the Closing Date as if then made, except that representations or warranties that are by their express terms made as of a specific date shall be true and correct as of such date:

 

3.1                                Organization; Authorization .  As of the Effective Date, the Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Texas and is qualified to do business as a foreign entity in every jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its activities require it to be so qualified, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  As of the Closing Date, the Company will be a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and will be qualified to do business as a foreign entity in every jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its activities will require it to be so qualified, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  All such jurisdictions are set forth on Schedule 3.1 .  The copies of (i) the Company’s current certificate of incorporation and current bylaws that have been delivered to Buyer on

 

19



 

or before the Effective Date reflect all amendments made thereto and are correct and complete copies of the operative documents of the Company as of the Effective Date, and (ii) the Company’s certificate of formation and operating agreement that will have been delivered to Buyer on or before the Closing Date reflect all amendments made thereto and are correct and complete copies of the operative documents of the Company as of the Closing Date, other than any amendments or amendments and restatements to be entered into in connection with the execution of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  The minute books containing the records of meetings of the members, managers, stockholders or board of directors, as applicable, and the books of the Company, in each case that have been delivered to Buyer, are correct and complete in all material respects.  The Company is not in default under or in violation of any provision of its bylaws or operating agreement, as applicable.  The Company has full company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The board of directors of the Company has duly and unanimously approved this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is a party and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  The manager(s) of the Company will have ratified such approval and authorization prior to the Closing Date. No other proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to approve and authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitute the valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

 

3.2                                Noncontravention .  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.2 , the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by the Acquired Companies and Seller do not and shall not (a) conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (including a breach due to the failure to notify or obtain the prior consent or waiver of any Person), (b) constitute a default or result in a violation under (whether with or without the giving of notice, the passage of time or both), (c) give any third party the right to materially modify, terminate or accelerate, or cause any material modification, termination or acceleration of, any material property, benefit, right, asset or obligation under, (d) result in the creation of any Lien upon the Units, any other Equity Interests or any material assets of the Acquired Companies under, (e) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or notice or declaration to, or filing with, any Governmental Entity under or pursuant to, or (f) require the notification consent or waiver of any other Person (either with or without the passage of time and giving of notice or both) under or pursuant to, the provisions of the certificates of incorporation, bylaws, certificates of formation, operating agreements or other governing documents of the Acquired Companies or any Law, Order, Permit or Contract to which the Company, Seller, the Units, any other Equity Interests or any material asset of the Acquired Companies is bound or subject.

 

3.3                                Capitalization; Subsidiaries .

 

(a)                                  As of the Closing Date, the Seller will own 100% of the outstanding Units of the Company, and Seller is transferring to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement the Purchased Units, which as of the Closing Date will constitute 85% of the outstanding Units of the Company, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than any restrictions under applicable securities laws).  Other than the remaining 15% of the outstanding Units owned and retained by the Seller, as of the Closing Date there will be no other authorized or outstanding Units or other Equity Interests of the Company.  All of the issued and outstanding Units of the Company have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-

 

20



 

assessable and are not subject to, nor were they issued in violation of, any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal.  Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a) , the Company has no Liabilities related to or arising out of any existing or previously issued and expired Equity Interests.  There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, Contracts, calls, puts, rights to subscribe, conversion rights or other similar rights to which the Company is a party or which are binding upon the Company providing for the issuance, disposition or acquisition of any Equity Interests of the Company.  There are no outstanding or authorized unit appreciation rights, phantom units, profits interests or similar rights with respect to the Company.  There are no voting trusts, proxies or any other Contracts or understandings with respect to the voting of the Equity Interests of the Company.  The Company is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its Equity Interests.  Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a) , no former direct or indirect holder of any Equity Interests of the Company has any material claim or rights against the Company or Seller that remains unresolved or to which the Company or Seller has or may reasonably be expected to have (now or in the future) any material Liability and to the actual knowledge of Monroe, Kevin and Todd, no such claims are threatened.

 

(b)                                  Schedule 3.3(b)(i)  sets forth a complete list of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company as of the Effective Date, current capital and equity structure, and the jurisdiction of organization of each such subsidiary.  Schedule 3.3(b)(ii)  sets forth a complete list of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company as of the Closing Date, capital and equity structure as of the Closing Date, and the jurisdiction of organization of each such subsidiary.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Subsidiaries ” (and each individually, a “ Subsidiary ”) means (i) prior to the Restructuring, those entities set forth on Schedule 3.3(b)(i) , and (ii) subsequent to the Restructuring, those entities set forth on Schedule 3.3(b)(ii) .  Each Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.  Each Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where the character of the property owned or leased by it or the nature of its activities makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  No Subsidiary is in default under or in violation of any provision of its bylaws, operating agreement or other charter document, as applicable.  Each Subsidiary that is an Acquired Company has full company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  As of the Effective Date and the Closing Date, the Company directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding Equity Interests of each Subsidiary indicated on Schedule 3.3(b)(i)  and Schedule 3.3(b)(ii) , respectively, free and clear of all Liens, except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(b)(iv) .  All of the Equity Interests of each Subsidiary have been validly issued, are fully paid, and have been issued without violation of any preemptive right or other right to purchase. There are no voting trusts, stockholder agreements, proxies, understandings or other Contracts with respect to the voting of the Equity Interests or other ownership interests of the Subsidiaries.  Other than as set forth on Schedules 3.3(b)(i) , Schedule 3.3(b)(ii) , Schedule 3.3(b)(iii)  and as described in Schedule D , the Subsidiaries (i) do not have, and have never had, any direct or indirect Subsidiaries; (ii) do not hold, and have never held, any stock or other Equity Interest in any other Person or any securities convertible or exchangeable into stock or any other ownership interests of any other Person.  For purposes of this Agreement, the “ Acquired Companies ”, and each individually an “ Acquired Company ,” means (i) prior to the Restructuring, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 3.3(b)(i) , other than J&S Jamaica and PT Mexico Services, and (ii) subsequent to the Restructuring, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 3.3(b)(ii) , other than J&S Jamaica and PT Mexico Services.

 

(c)                                   The copies of (i) the current articles of incorporation and current bylaws (or similar documents under the law of their jurisdiction) of the Subsidiaries, other than J&S Jamaica and PT Mexico Services, that have been delivered to Buyer on or before the Effective Date reflect all amendments made thereto and are correct and complete copies of the operative documents of such Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date, and (ii) the corporate books of the Subsidiaries, other than J&S

 

21



 

Jamaica and PT Mexico Services, that will have been delivered to Buyer on or before the Closing Date will be correct, complete and up to date and will correctly reflect all matters relating to the Restructuring. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which the Subsidiaries are a party will have been duly executed and delivered by the Subsidiaries and will constitute the valid and binding agreements of the Subsidiaries, enforceable against them in accordance with their terms, except as such may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

 

(d)                                  As of the Closing Date, all legal and statutory formalities for the transfer of J&S Audio Visual DR will have been duly and fully satisfied. In this regard, the Seller, with the execution of this Agreement, waives the exercise of any right that it may have over the shares of J&S Audio Visual DR on the occasion of this transaction, including any preferential right to purchase the same.

 

3.4                                Financial Statements .

 

(a)                                  Attached as Schedule 3.4(a)  are the following financial statements (collectively, the “ Financial Statements ”): (i) an unaudited balance sheet as of May 31, 2017 (the “ Latest Balance Sheet ”), and the related statements of income for the five months then ended of each of the Company, J&S Audiovisual Mexico and  J&S Audio Visual DR; (ii) audited balance sheets of each of the Company and J&S Audiovisual Mexico as of December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and the related statements of income, cash flow and members’ equity for the fiscal years then ended; (iii) unaudited balance sheets of J&S Audio Visual DR as of December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and the related statements of income and members’ equity for the fiscal years then ended; and (iv) unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Acquired Companies as of December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the related statements of income and members’ equity for the fiscal years then ended.  Each Financial Statement (A) is accurate and complete in all material respects; (B) is consistent with the books and records of the Acquired Companies (which, in turn, are accurate and complete in all material respects); (C) has been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles, subject, in the case of the Latest Balance Sheet, to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes and the disclosures normally made therein; and (D) presents fairly the financial condition of such Acquired Companies as of the respective dates thereof and the operating results of the such Acquired Companies for the periods covered thereby.

 

(b)                                  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4(b) , the Acquired Companies do not have any undisclosed Liabilities of a type required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP that (i) are not adequately reflected or reserved against in the Latest Balance Sheet or (ii) have been incurred outside the Ordinary Course of Business since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet (in each case, “ Undisclosed Liabilities ”).

 

(c)                                   Each of the Acquired Companies has established and adhered to a system of internal accounting controls appropriate for its size and the industry in which it operates.  To the Company’s Knowledge, there has never been (i) any significant deficiency or weakness in the system of internal accounting controls used by any of the Acquired Companies, (ii) any fraud or other material wrongdoing that involves any of the Acquired Companies’ management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls used by such Acquired Company or (iii) any written claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.

 

(d)                                  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4(d) , the Acquired Companies do not have any Indebtedness.

 

22



 

3.5                                No Material Adverse Effect .  Since December 31, 2016, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.6                                Absence of Certain Developments .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.6 , since December 31, 2016, the Acquired Companies have not, directly or indirectly:

 

(a)                                  sold, leased, assigned, transferred, abandoned, permitted to lapse or otherwise disposed of any material rights, assets or properties, tangible or intangible other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(b)                                  canceled without fair consideration any material debts or claims owing to or held by it;

 

(c)                                   disclosed any material Company Confidential Information to any Person (other than Buyer and Buyer’s representatives) other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(d)                                  made or granted any bonus or any wage, salary, compensation or benefit increase to or with respect to any current or former director, officer, manager, employee or other service provider other than periodic increases made in the Ordinary Course of Business, required by existing Contracts as in effect on the December 31, 2016, mandated by applicable Laws or as a result of a promotion under Section 3.6(e);

 

(e)                                   changed the terms of employment for any employee, other than promotions in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(f)                                    accelerated the vesting or payment of any compensation or benefit for any current or former director, officer, manager, employee or other service provider, other than as required by existing Contracts as in effect on December 31, 2016 or as mandated by applicable Laws;

 

(g)                                   amended, terminated, ceased participation in, adopted, become a party to or commenced participation in any Plan;

 

(h)                                  incurred any Indebtedness or incurred or become subject to any other Liability above $100,000, except current Liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business (none of which is a liability for material breach of Contract, tort, infringement, lawsuit, or environmental, health or safety matter);

 

(i)                                      made any loans or advances to, investments in, or guarantees for the benefit of, or otherwise become liable for the Indebtedness or other legal obligation of, any Person;

 

(j)                                     made any capital expenditures or commitments therefor in the aggregate in excess of $100,000;

 

(k)                                  made any change in any method of accounting or accounting policies;

 

(l)                                      engaged in any promotional sales, customer rebates, discount or price reduction or other activity that has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of accelerating to pre-Closing periods sales that otherwise would be expected to occur in post-Closing periods;

 

23



 

(m)                              instituted or permitted any material change in the conduct of the Company’s business, or any change in its method of purchase, sale, lease, management, marketing, promotion or operation;

 

(n)                                  entered into, materially amended or terminated any material Contract or Permit, other than as set forth on Schedules 3.10(a) , (b)  or (c) ;

 

(o)                                  become subject to any obligation that prohibits the Acquired Companies from freely engaging in business anywhere in the world or that otherwise restricts any activities of the Acquired Companies;

 

(p)                                  issued, sold or transferred any of its Equity Interests;

 

(q)                                  declare, set aside, establish a record date for, make or pay any distribution (whether payable in cash, equity, property or a combination thereof) with respect to any of its Equity Interests, or enter into any agreement with respect to the voting of its Equity Interests;

 

(r)                                     experienced any material Loss (whether or not covered by insurance) to any of its assets or properties;

 

(s)                                    made or agreed to make any write-off or write-down, or any determination to write-off or write-down, or revalue, any of its assets and properties (including notes or accounts receivables), or change in any respect any reserves associated therewith, or waive or release any right or claim, other than re-evaluations due to exchange rate fluctuations;

 

(t)                                     delayed or postponed any material repair or maintenance of its properties or the payment of accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other obligations and Liabilities outside the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(u)                                  instituted or settled any claim or lawsuit involving equitable or injunctive relief or the payment by or on behalf of the Acquired Companies of more than $25,000;

 

(v)                                  made a material change in its Tax principles, methods, policies or elections, or filed any amended Tax Return;

 

(w)                                entered into any Tax closing agreement, settled any material Tax claim or assessment relating to the Acquired Companies;

 

(x)                                  surrendered any right to claim a refund of Taxes;

 

(y)                                  consented to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment relating to the Acquired Companies;

 

(z)                                   failed to pay any material amount of Taxes when they became due and payable; or

 

(aa)                           agreed or committed to do any of the foregoing, other than pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents, including the Restructuring and the actions required under Sections 7.11 , 7.12 and 7.13 .

 

24



 

3.7                                Real Property .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7 , the Acquired Companies do not own, and have never owned, any real property.  Schedule 3.7 sets forth a correct and complete list of all leases, written or oral, of real property (the “ Leased Real Property ”) of the Acquired Companies as lessee or lessor, including the name of the lessee or lessor, as applicable, the address of each parcel of real property leased thereunder, the annual rent, the term of the lease and all subleases, licenses and other agreements with respect thereto (each, a “ Lease ” and collectively, the “ Leases ”).  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7 and Schedule 3.10(b) , to the Knowledge of the Company, each of the lease agreements relating to the Leased Real Property is in full force and effect. The Acquired Companies have not subleased, licensed or otherwise granted any right to use or occupy the Leased Real Property under any Lease or any portion thereof other than as set forth on Schedule 3.7 .

 

3.8                                Assets .  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8 , the Acquired Companies own good and valid title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of the properties and assets shown on the Latest Balance Sheet, located on the Leased Real Property, or, if applicable, or acquired thereafter, other than those assets sold or disposed in the Ordinary Course of Business, and free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8 , the Acquired Companies own, or have a valid leasehold interest in, all material property and assets necessary or desirable for the conduct of their businesses as presently conducted.  The assets owned, leased or utilized by the Acquired Companies, including the TAV Assets and CDI Assets, are sufficient for the continued conduct of the business after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing. The Acquired Companies’ buildings, improvements, fixtures, machinery, equipment and other tangible assets (whether owned or leased) are, except for ordinary wear and tear, in good condition and repair in all material respects and are usable in the Ordinary Course of Business.  Neither the Seller Parties or any other Person own any assets or properties necessary or desirable for the conduct of the Acquired Companies’ business, other than as set forth on Schedule 3.8, and the assets and properties owned by CDI, TAV and SIID.

 

3.9                                Tax Matters .

 

(a)                                  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9(a) , each of Parent, Seller Parties and the Acquired Companies has timely filed all Tax Returns (including, but not limited to, all Tax Returns relating to the Restructuring and any other documents, statements and filings related thereto) that are due as of the Closing Date and required to be filed by or with respect to it pursuant to applicable Laws, and all Tax Returns filed or required to be filed by each of Parent, Seller Parties and the Acquired Companies are accurate, complete and correct in all material respects and have been prepared in compliance with all applicable Laws.  Each of Parent, Seller Parties and the Acquired Companies has paid all material Taxes due and payable by it as of the Closing Date (including, but not limited to, all Taxes relating to the Restructuring) (whether or not shown or required to be shown on any Tax Returns).  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9(a) , each of Parent, Seller Parties and the Acquired Companies has duly withheld and/or paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and/or paid in connection with the Restructuring as of the Closing Date, including any applicable capital gains taxes.  Each of Parent, Seller and the Acquired Companies has duly withheld and paid to the proper Governmental Entity all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid and as of the Closing Date in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party. Other than Taxes that the Acquired Companies are or were required by applicable Law to withhold and pay, none of the Acquired Companies are or will be liable for Taxes that correspond to any other Person. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9(a) , no claim has ever been made in writing by an authority in a jurisdiction where any of Parent, Seller Parties or the Acquired Companies does not file Tax Returns that any of Parent, Seller Parties or the Acquired Companies is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Taxes not yet due and payable) upon any of the assets of any of Parent, Seller Parties and the Acquired Companies.  Each of the Acquired Companies has delivered to Buyer complete and correct copies of all foreign, federal, state and local Tax Returns, examination reports, and statement

 

25



 

of deficiencies assessed against, or agreed to by the Acquired Companies for all taxable periods ended on or after 2009.

 

(b)                                  Except as separately set forth and identified on Schedule 3.9(b), there is no Tax audit or examination, addition to Tax for any period for which Tax Returns have filed, or any judicial or administrative proceedings now being conducted, pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, with respect to any of Parent, Seller and the Acquired Companies.

 

(c)                                   Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9(c) , none of Parent, Seller and the Acquired Companies has waived, extended, or agreed to extend any applicable statute of limitations relating to any Tax assessment or deficiency of any of Parent, Seller or the Acquired Companies or agreed to any extension of time for filing any Tax Return of any of Parent, Seller or the Acquired Companies which has not been filed.

 

(d)                                  None of Parent, Seller and the Company has engaged in any reportable transaction as defined in Section 6707A(c)(1) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).  The transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events) result in the payment, provision or retention of any “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. Tax Law). Neither Parent nor Seller is a foreign person within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.

 

(e)                                   The Company will not be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date, (ii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax Law) executed on or before the Closing Date, (iii)  use of an improper method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or before the Closing Date, (v) prepaid amount received on or before the Closing Date, or (vi) election by any of Parent, Seller and the Acquired Companies under Section 108(i) of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state or local law).

 

(f)                                    None of Parent, Seller and the Acquired Companies is a party to or bound by a Tax allocation, sharing, indemnity, or similar agreement or any current or potential contractual obligation to indemnify any other Person with respect to Taxes that will require any payment by the Acquired Companies after the date of this Agreement.

 

(g)                                   The Company has maintained the books and records required to be maintained pursuant to Section 6001 of the Code, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and any similar or other applicable provision under state, local and foreign law. The Subsidiaries have maintained all books and records required to be maintained pursuant to all applicable Laws.

 

(h)                                  None of Parent, Seller and the Acquired Companies (i) has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which is the Parent) or (ii) has any Liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. law), as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise.

 

(i)                                      Prior to the Restructuring, (i) the Company was a validly electing S corporation within the meaning of Code Sections 1361 and 1362 (and any corresponding provision of state or local

 

26



 

law) at all times since January 1, 2000, and (ii) the Seller Parties were eligible to own the shares of Company stock owned without causing the termination of the S corporation status of the Company. Since the Restructuring, the Company has been taxed as a disregarded entity for federal (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-2(c)(2)) and state and local income tax purposes (where the applicable state or local jurisdiction conforms with the Treasury Regulations as to classification of entities).

 

(j)                                     Prior to the Restructuring, the Company had no potential liability for any Tax under Section 1374 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state or local law).  Prior to the Restructuring, the Company had not, in the past 10 years, (i) acquired assets from another corporation in a transaction in which the Company’s Tax basis for the acquired assets was determined, in whole or in part, by reference to the Tax basis of the acquired assets (or any other property) in the hands of the transferor or (ii) acquired the stock of any corporation that is a qualified subchapter S subsidiary.

 

(k)                                  Each of Parent, Seller and the Acquired Companies has correctly classified at all times and for all purposes, including Company Employee Benefit Plan eligibility and participation, those individuals performing services as common law employees, employees, leased employees, independent contractors or agents of the applicable Acquired Company, and have complied at all times with all Contracts regarding engagement and performance of such services.

 

(l)                                      All of the assets of the Acquired Companies have been properly listed and described on the property Tax rolls for all periods prior to and including the Closing Date, and no portion of the assets of the Acquired Companies constitutes omitted property for property Tax purposes.

 

(m)                              None of the Acquired Companies (i) has been a stockholder of a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in Section 957 of the Code (or any similar provision of United States state, local or foreign law), (ii) has been a “personal holding company” as defined in Section 542 of the Code (or any similar provision of United States state, local or foreign law), (iii) has been a stockholder of a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code, or (iv) has engaged in a trade or business, had a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) or otherwise become subject to Tax jurisdiction in a country other than the country of its formation.

 

(n)                                  There is no property or obligation of the Acquired Companies, including uncashed checks to vendors, customers or employees, non-refunded overpayments or credits, that is escheatable or payable to any state or municipality under any applicable escheatment or unclaimed property Laws or that may at any time become escheatable to any state or municipality under any such Laws.

 

(o)                                  None of Parent, Seller, the Acquired Companies and the Seller Parties owns, directly or constructively, (i) any stock in Ashford, Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. or Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc., or (ii) any stock options in Ashford, Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. or Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc.

 

(p)                                  Since its formation, each of J&S Audiovisual Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. and J&S Audio Visual DR has been taxed in the US as a partnership or a disregarded entity for federal (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-2(c)(2)) and state and local income tax purposes (where the applicable state or local jurisdiction conforms with the Treasury Regulations as to classification of entities).  Prior to the Restructuring, J & S Audio Visual Communications, Inc. was, and at all times during its existence had been, a qualified subchapter S subsidiary, as defined by Section 1361(b)(3)(B) of the Code, of the Company and a qualified subchapter S subsidiary of the Company for

 

27



 

each state in which Holdings, the Company or J & S Audio Visual Communications, Inc. filed state income Tax Returns.

 

3.10                         Contracts .

 

(a)                                  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10(a)  (which specifically identifies by subsection each of the following Contracts), no Acquired Company is a party to, or bound by, any:

 

(i)                                      collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor union;

 

(ii)                                   Contract that (i) is an employment agreement that is not terminable by such Acquired Company on an “at will” basis, (ii) provides for a severance obligation or a deferred compensation obligation, (iii) provides for a payment, benefit or obligation in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, or (iv) is a Contract with an independent contractor or consultant in excess of $10,000;

 

(iii)                                Contract relating to Indebtedness or to mortgaging, pledging or otherwise placing a Lien on any of the assets or Equity Interests of such Acquired Company;

 

(iv)                               Intellectual Property Rights Contracts: (A) whereby such Acquired Company is granted a right or license to the Intellectual Property Rights of any other Person that is material to the conduct of the Acquired Company’s business, (but excluding any licenses for unmodified, commercially available off-the-shelf software); (B) whereby such Acquired Company grants to any other Person any rights in such Acquired Company’s Intellectual Property Rights, but excluding non-exclusive licenses granted in the Ordinary Course of Business; or (C) whereby such Acquired Company is otherwise restricted in the ability to use, enforce, or disclose any Intellectual Property Rights in any material way, including without limitation, settlement agreements;

 

(v)                                  Contract under which such Acquired Company is lessee of or holds or operates any property, real or personal, owned by any other Person providing for lease payments in excess of $10,000 per year;

 

(vi)                               Contract under which such Acquired Company is lessor of or permits any third party to hold or operate any property, real or personal, owned or controlled by such Acquired Company providing for lease payments in excess of $25,000 per year;

 

(vii)                            broker, distributor, vendor, customer, supplier or maintenance Contracts which involve consideration in excess of $25,000 per year;

 

(viii)                         Contract in excess of $25,000 per year and not terminable by such Acquired Company upon 90 days’ or less notice without penalty;

 

(ix)                               Contract (A) which prohibits or otherwise limits or restricts such Acquired Company from freely engaging in business anywhere in the world, (B) which contains any minimum requirements or most-favored nations provision, (C) which grants any other Person “most favored nation” status or any type of special discount rights, (D) which contains any provision with respect to exclusivity, and (E) which limits or purports to limit the right of such Acquired Company to sell to or purchase from any Person;

 

28



 

(x)                                  Contract which prohibits such Acquired Company and/or its officers, directors, managers, equity owners or employees, in each case in their capacity as such, from soliciting customers or suppliers or soliciting or hiring employees of any other Person;

 

(xi)                               any warranty Contract with respect to such Acquired Company’s services or its products sold, leased or licensed;

 

(xii)                            Contract relating to the marketing, advertising or promotion of such Acquired Company’s products or services in excess of $25,000 per year;

 

(xiii)                         any Contract involving the settlement of any Proceedings with respect to which  any unpaid amount or future Liability remains;

 

(xiv)                        franchise or agency Contract;

 

(xv)                           joint venture or partnership or other Contract which involves a sharing of revenues, profits, losses, costs or Liabilities by such Acquired Company with any other Person, other than concerning any Acquired Company;

 

(xvi)                        Contract with any Material Customer (other than hotel customers) or Material Vendor;

 

(xvii)                     Contract with a Governmental Entity;

 

(xviii)                  redemption or purchase Contract or other Contract affecting or relating to the capital stock of such Acquired Company, including, without limitation any agreement with any current or former stockholder of such Acquired Company; and

 

(xix)                        any Contract for any debt or equity security or other ownership interest of any Person, or for the issuance of any debt or equity security or other ownership interest, or the conversion of any obligation, instrument or security into debt or equity securities or other ownership interests of, such Acquired Company, or for any acquisition, divestiture, merger or similar transaction.

 

(b)                                  Except as specifically disclosed on Schedule 3.10(b) , (i) to the Knowledge of the Company, no Material Contract has been cancelled or breached by any party thereto, (ii) such Acquired Company has performed all material obligations under each Material Contract required to be performed by such Acquired Company, and there is no material breach of or default by such Acquired Company under any such Material Contract or any event which, upon giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a material breach or default by such Acquired Company, (iii) neither such Acquired Company nor any Seller has received written, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral, notice or claim of any breach or default under any Material Contract, and (iv) each Material Contract is legal, valid, binding, enforceable against such Acquired Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, against each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect (subject to bankruptcy, moratorium and similar laws and subject to the application of specific performance and other equitable principles). Without limiting the foregoing, since the Latest Balance Sheet Date, no Acquired Company has paid any service credits, provided discounts, or agreed to provide any other similar types of compensation to any Person in connection with the failure to perform obligations under any Material Contract, including the failure to comply with relevant service levels, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred that (with or without notice or lapse of time) gives any Person the right to demand or receive any such compensation under any such Material Contract.  No Acquired Company has triggered any obligation under any Material Contract that provides for a most-favored pricing provision for any customer of such

 

29



 

Acquired Company to reduce the prices charged to such customer in the future.  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Material Contract ” means each Contract listed or required to be listed on Schedules 3.10(a)  and 3.21 .  Each Acquired Company has heretofore made available to Buyer a true and correct copy of all Material Contracts (and a true and correct written description of all oral Material Contracts), together with all amendments, exhibits and attachments and waivers thereto.

 

(c)                                   Schedule 3.10(c)  sets forth a complete and accurate description of all of the material terms of all oral Contracts  disclosed in Schedule 3.10(a) .

 

3.11                         Intellectual Property Rights .

 

(a)                                  Each Acquired Company owns and possesses or is validly licensed to use all the Intellectual Property Rights that are material to the conduct of the Acquired Company’s business as currently conducted.

 

(b)                                  Schedule 3.11(b)  sets forth a complete and correct list of all of the following that are owned by each Acquired Company:  (i) all issued patents and pending patent applications; (ii) all registrations and applications for registration of any copyrights; (iii) all registrations and applications for registration of any trademarks (“ Company IP ”).

 

(c)                                   Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11(c) : (i) no claim contesting the validity, enforceability, registerability, patentability, use or ownership of any Company IP or other material Intellectual Property owned by an Acquired Entity has been made or is currently outstanding and, to the Knowledge of the Company, none is threatened and there is no reasonable basis for the same; (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, no Acquired Company has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise conflicted with, and the operation of the business of such Acquired Company as currently conducted or as currently proposed to be conducted does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise conflict with, any Intellectual Property Rights of any third party in any material way; (iii) no Acquired Company has received any written notices of any facts which indicate a likelihood of, any infringement or misappropriation by, or conflict with, any third party with respect to the Company Intellectual Property Rights (including any demand or request that such Acquired Company license any Intellectual Property Rights from a third party); and (iv) to the Knowledge of the Company, no third party is infringing on, misappropriating, or otherwise conflicting with the Company Intellectual Property Rights, and to the Company’s Knowledge no facts or circumstances exist that could indicate a likelihood of the foregoing.  Immediately subsequent to the Closing, the Company IP will be owned by or available for use by each Acquired Company on terms and conditions materially identical to those under which such Acquired Company owned or used the Intellectual Property Rights immediately prior to the Closing.  Each Acquired Company has taken reasonable steps, consistent with industry standards, to protect such Acquired Company’s trade secrets and material Company Confidential Information.

 

3.12                         Litigation .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12 , there are no and have not been during the preceding five years, any Proceedings pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against or affecting, any of the Acquired Companies or to the Company’s Knowledge, any of their managers, officers, executives, employees, independent contractors or agents, in such person’s capacity as a manager, officer, executive, employee, independent contractor or agent of such Acquired Company, at law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Entity.  The Acquired Companies are fully insured with respect to each of the matters set forth on Schedule 3.12 (except to the extent of any applicable insurance deductibles).  None of the Acquired Companies is party to and during the five years prior to the date hereof, has not been a party to any settlement agreement with respect to any Proceeding or threatened Proceeding.  None of the Acquired Companies is subject to or bound by any outstanding Orders.

 

30



 

3.13                         Brokerage .  Except for arrangements for which Seller and/or Seller Parties shall be solely responsible, there are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders’ fees or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of the Acquired Companies.

 

3.14                         Employees .

 

(a)                                  To the Company’s Knowledge, no Key Employee or independent contractor and no group of employees and/or independent contractors of any Acquired Company has presented any Acquired Company with written or verbal plans or intentions to terminate or modify his or her status as an employee or independent contractor of such Acquired Company, including upon or in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(b)                                  Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.14(b) , there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against any Acquired Company with respect to or by any employee or independent contractor or former employee or independent contractor of such Acquired Company.  In the past five years, no Acquired Company (i) experienced any strikes, work stoppages or slowdowns, labor grievances, claims of unfair labor practices or other material labor disputes or (ii) engaged in any unfair labor practices.  To the Company’s Knowledge, there are no ongoing or threatened union organizing activities with respect to employees of such Acquired Company and no such activities have occurred in the past five years.

 

(c)                                   Schedule 3.14(c)  contains a true, complete and accurate list of each employee of each Acquired Company and (as applicable) such employee’s date(s) of hire by such Acquired Company, position and title (if any), location of employment, current rate of compensation (including salary, bonuses, commissions, other benefits, and incentive compensation, if any), whether such employee is hourly or salaried, whether such employee is exempt or non-exempt, the number of such employee’s accrued sick days and vacation days, whether such employee is absent from active employment and, if so, the date such person became inactive, the reason for such inactive status the policy permitting such absence, and, if applicable, the anticipated date of return to active employment.

 

(d)                                  Schedule 3.14(d)  contains a true, complete and accurate list of each independent contractor providing services to each Acquired Company in excess of $10,000 per annum, such independent contractor’s date(s) of engagement by such Acquired Company, position and title (if any), and rate of compensation. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14(d) , none of such independent contractors are natural persons.

 

(e)                                   Each Acquired Company: (i) is and has been in at all times in the past five years, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws respecting employment and social security including, but not limited to, data protection, internal labor regulations, employee-employer organizations, registration at the pertinent governmental entity(ies), payment of profit sharing, employment practices, classification of employment, equal employment opportunity, employee safety and health, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, in each case, with respect to current and former employees and independent contractors; (ii) has in all material respects duly and correctly calculated, withheld and reported all Taxes and amounts required by Law, INFOTEP ( Instituto Nacional de Formación Técnico Profesional ) or by agreement to be withheld and reported with respect to wages, salaries, social security contributions, and other payments to current and former employees and independent contractors; (iii) is not liable for, and has not incurred any Liability with respect to, any arrears of wages or any Taxes or any penalty for failure to comply with any of the foregoing; and (iv) is not liable for, and has not incurred any Liability with respect to, any payment to any trust or other fund governed by or maintained by or on behalf of any Governmental Entity, with respect to unemployment

 

31



 

compensation benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for current and former employees and independent contractors.  Each natural person who performs services for or on behalf of an Acquired Company has been properly classified by such Acquired Company as either an employee or independent contractor in accordance with applicable Law.

 

(f)                                    Within the past five years, no Acquired Company has implemented any plant closing or layoff of employees that could implicate the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended, or any similar Law.

 

(g)                                   Except as could not result in material Liability to any Acquired Company, each of Parent, Seller and the Acquired Companies has correctly classified at all times and for all purposes, including Company Employee Benefit Plan eligibility and participation, those individuals performing services as common law employees, employees, leased, employees, independent contractors or agents of the applicable Acquired Company, and have complied at all times with all Contracts regarding engagement and performance of services.

 

(h)                                  All employees of J&S Audiovisual Mexico are and have been duly registered with the Mexican Institute of Social Security ( Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social ), the Mexican National Fund of Housing Institute ( Instituto del Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores ), and the Mexican Savings for Retirement Fund System ( Sistema de Ahorro para el Retiro ), considering their real and actual salary and position. No Acquired Company has dismissed without cause any employee over the last two (2) years.  With respect to each employee who has decided to voluntarily leave his or her employment with any Acquired Company, the corresponding Acquired Company obtained an executed letter of resignation from such employee in accordance with, and all of the terms of such letter were in full compliance with, all applicable Laws in effect at the time of such resignation.

 

(i)                                      All employees of J&S Audiovisual Mexico are and have been duly registered with the Mexican National Fund for Workers’ Consumption ( Instituto del Fondo Nacional para el Consumo de los Trabajadores ) and all other Governmental Entities as required by Law.

 

(j)                                     J&S Audiovisual Mexico has only entered into an outsourcing services agreement with SIID for the provision of specialized services and personnel to J&S Audiovisual Mexico. No company other than SIID has directly provided personnel to J&S Audiovisual Mexico. SIID has entered into services agreements (the “ Services Agreements ”) with Woodson, S.A. de C.V. (“ Woodson ”) and Innova Quality, S.A. de C.V. (“ Innova ”) by means of which such companies, through SIID, provide J&S Audiovisual Mexico with specialized services and personnel.

 

(k)                                  Each of TAV, CDI,  and SIID are in full compliance with all applicable Laws, including without limitation, Laws relating to Taxes, employment, labor, and social security. None of the employees of TAV, CDI and SIID (i) render personal and subordinated services to J&S Audiovisual Mexico and (ii) are or will be deemed to be employees of J&S Audiovisual Mexico, (iii) receive salary or any other compensation from J&S Audiovisual Mexico and (iv) are linked in any manner with J&S Audiovisual Mexico other than by the customer-service provider commercial relationship between J&S Audiovisual Mexico and TAV, CDI, and SIID, respectively.

 

(l)                                      The execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not constitute a triggering event under any policy, arrangement, statement, commitment or agreement, which (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent event) will or may result in any payment, severance, bonus, retirement or job security or similar-type benefit, or increase any benefits or accelerate the payment, vesting or funding of any benefits to any employee or former employee or director of any of the Acquired Companies; and (ii) no payments,

 

32



 

bonuses or severance are or will be due or required to be made as a result of or in connection with the Closing or otherwise as a result of any change of control or other similar provisions, whether pursuant to contract, an incentive compensation plan, stock appreciation rights plan, or otherwise.

 

3.15                         Product and Service Warranties .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 , no Acquired Company has made any express or implied warranties or guarantees with respect to the products marketed and/or sold or services rendered by it.  Each product sold or delivered and each service rendered by an Acquired Company has been in conformity in all material respects with all applicable contractual commitments and all express and implied warranties, and to the Company’s Knowledge no Acquired Company has any material Liability or obligation for replacement or repair thereof or other damages in connection therewith, subject only to the reserve for product and service warranty claims set forth on the Latest Balance Sheet and to be set forth on the Closing Statement.

 

3.16                         Employee Benefit Plans .

 

(a)                                  Schedule 3.16(a)  lists or describes each Plan (i) maintained, sponsored, contributed to or required to be contributed to by any Acquired Company, or (ii) with respect to which any Acquired Company has or could reasonably be expected to have any Liability (each such Plan, a “ Company Employee Benefit Plan ”).

 

(b)                                  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16(b) , no Acquired Company is, and no Acquired Company ever has been, a participating or contributing employer in any and no Company Employee Benefit Plan is a Multiemployer Plan.  No Acquired Company has incurred any withdrawal Liability that remains unsatisfied with respect to any Multiemployer Plan or any Liability in connection with the termination or reorganization of any Multiemployer Plan.  No Company Employee Benefit Plan (and, for purposes of this Section 3.16(b)  only, no Plan maintained, sponsored, contributed to or required to be contributed to by any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which any ERISA Affiliate has any Liability) (i) is or was subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA other than a Multiemployer Plan set forth on Schedule 3.16(b)  pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 3.16 , (ii) is or was a multiple employer plan as described in Section 413(c) of the Code, (iii) is or was a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” as defined in Section 3(40)(A) of ERISA, (iv) is or was funded pursuant to a “voluntary employees’ beneficiary association” as defined in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code, or (v) provides or is required to provide post-employment or retiree welfare benefits other than as required under Section 4980B of the Code and for which the Acquired Companies have no obligation or requirement to waive or pay any portion of any applicable premiums.  None of the Acquired Companies or any ERISA Affiliate has any Liability on account of a violation of the health care requirements of Part 6 or 7 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA or Section 4980B or 4980D of the Code.

 

(c)                                   With respect to each Company Employee Benefit Plan, the applicable Acquired Company has furnished, or, with respect to each Company Employee Benefit Plan that is a Multiemployer Plan, will furnish as of the Closing Date, to Buyer true and complete copies of, to the extent applicable, (provided that with respect to each Company Employee Benefit Plan that is a Multiemployer Plan, to the extent in the possession of the Acquired Company or as could reasonably be acquired by the Acquired Company) (i) the plan documents and all amendments thereto (and where such plan or amendment is unwritten, a written summary of the material terms thereof); (ii) all related trust and custodial agreements, funding arrangements, insurance and annuity contracts, administration, recordkeeping, service agreements, investment management and advisory agreements, and other similar arrangements currently in effect with respect thereto; (iii) the most recent summary plan description, summaries of material modifications and other material communications with respect to such Plan during the preceding three (3) years; (iv) the most recent determination, advisory or opinion letter received from the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”); (v) the Form 5500 Annual Report (including all schedules and

 

33



 

other attachments for the most recent three years); (vi) the results of all non-discrimination test for the most recent three years; (vii) in the case of any Company Employee Benefit Plan for which a Form 1094-B, 1094-C, 1095-B or Form 1095-C is required to be filed or distributed, a copy of the most recently filed or distributed each such applicable form; and (viii) all material notices, letters and other correspondence to or from the IRS, U.S. Department of Labor, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or other Governmental Entity relating thereto.

 

(d)                                  With respect to each Company Employee Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan and, to the Knowledge of the Company, with respect to each Company Employee Benefit Plan that is a Multiemployer Plan and, in either case, that is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code is, except as could not result in material Liability to an Acquired Company, so qualified, has received a favorable determination letter, or with respect to a pre-approved plan, an opinion or advisory letter to the plan sponsor on which employers may rely, from the IRS, and to the Company’s Knowledge nothing has occurred since the date of such letter that cannot be cured within the remedial amendment period provided by Section 401(b) of the Code which could reasonably be expected to prevent any such Company Employee Benefit Plan from remaining so qualified.  Each Company Employee Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each Company Employee Benefit Plan that is a Multiemployer Plan and each related trust or insurance contract is and has been administered, operated and maintained in all material respects in accordance with its respective terms and in compliance with all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code.  All contributions, premiums and other payments required to be made with respect to any Company Employee Benefit Plan by any Acquired Company prior to the Closing will have been made on a timely basis in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company Employee Benefit Plan and all applicable Laws and accounting principles and past practices and all other contributions, premiums, benefits and other payments not yet due have been properly accrued or otherwise adequately reserved.

 

(e)                                   With respect to each Multiemployer Plan required to be set forth on Schedule 3.16(b)  (“ Company Multiemployer Plan ”), as applicable, (i) no complete or partial withdrawal (as defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from such Plan has been made by any Acquired Company (nor has any Acquired Company incurred a decline in contributions to any Multiemployer Plan such that a “seventy-percent contribution decline” (as defined in Section 4205 of ERISA) has occurred within any completed “3-year testing period” (as defined in Section 4205 of ERISA)) nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, by any other Person that could subject any Acquired Company to Liability, (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, if any Acquired Company were to withdraw from any such Plan immediately prior to Closing, such withdrawal could not reasonably be expected to subject any Acquired Company to any Liability, (iii) no such Plan is in “endangered status,” “critical status” or “critical and declining status” within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA, (iv) to the Knowledge of the Company, no “mass withdrawal” (within the meaning of the regulations under Section 4219 of ERISA) has occurred, (v) as of the Closing Date, the Company will have provided Buyer with the following, to the extent such item can reasonably be acquired by the Company: (A) a copy of a recent letter from the administrator of the Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Section 101( l ) of ERISA setting forth the estimated withdrawal liability which would be imposed by the Plan if the Acquired Company were to withdraw from the Plan in a complete withdrawal, as of the most recently-available information that such administrator determines to use with respect to such letter, and the factors and methods used to determine such estimate; and (B) a copy of a letter from the administrator of the Multiemployer Plan or the most recently available actuarial report of the Plan, which sets forth the allocation method used by the Plan under Section 4211 of ERISA, the present value of unfunded vested benefits of the Plan for withdrawal liability purposes as of each plan year relevant under such allocation method, and the total employer contributions (net of withdrawn employers) for each such relevant plan year.  Prior to the Closing Date, Seller and Seller Parties will deliver Schedule 3.16(e)  which will set forth (x) with respect to each Company Multiemployer Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, the contribution history of the applicable

 

34



 

Acquired Company and each of its ERISA Affiliates to each Company Multiemployer Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA and which any Acquired Company or any ERISA Affiliate has or had an obligation to contribute from 2010 through 2016 and, for 2017, through the end of the calendar month immediately preceding the Closing Date, expressed in dollars and by contribution base units and (y) with respect to each Company Multiemployer Plan that is not subject to Title IV of ERISA, the total contributions to the Plan by each Acquired Company from 2010 through 2016 and, for 2017, through the end of the calendar month immediately preceding the date hereof.

 

(f)                                    Except as set forth and described in reasonable detail on Schedule 3.16(f) , none of the Company Employee Benefit Plans obligates any Acquired Company to pay any separation, severance, termination or similar compensation or benefit that may be triggered as a result of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or as a result of a “change in ownership or effective control” of any Person or “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of any Person, each within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.  No unfunded Liability that has not been properly accrued on the Acquired Companies’ financial statements exists under any Company Employee Benefit Plan.  Neither the execution of this Agreement nor any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events): (i) accelerate the time of payment, funding or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due to any current or former director, officer, employee, contractor or consultant of any Acquired Company; (ii) limit or restrict the right of any Acquired Company to merge, amend or terminate any Company Employee Benefit Plan; (iii) increase the amount payable under or result in any other material obligation of any Acquired Company pursuant to any Company Employee Benefit Plan; or (iv) result in the forgiveness of any indebtedness of any current or former director, officer, employee, contractor or consultant.

 

(g)                                   (i) No asset of any Acquired Company is subject to any Lien under ERISA or Subchapter D of Chapter 1 of the Code; (ii) no Acquired Company has incurred any Liability under Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA or to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, which Liability remains unsatisfied, with respect to any Plan that has ever been sponsored, maintained, contributed to or required to be contributed to by such Acquired Company or any ERISA Affiliate; and (iii) there are no pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened Proceedings with respect to any Company Employee Benefit Plan or the assets thereof (other than routine claims for benefits) which could reasonably be expected to result in any Liability to Buyer or any Acquired Company (whether direct or indirect), and the Company has no Knowledge of any facts which could reasonably be expected to give rise to any such Proceeding.

 

(h)                                  No “prohibited transaction” under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 or 407 of ERISA, not otherwise exempt under the Code or ERISA, has occurred with respect to any Company Employee Benefit Plan which could reasonably be expected to subject any Acquired Company to a material tax or penalty imposed by Section 4975 of the Code or by Section 501, 502 or 510 of ERISA.  Nothing has occurred with respect to any Company Employee Benefit Plan that has subjected or could reasonably be expected to subject any Acquired Company to any material Liability on account of (i) a penalty under Section 502 of ERISA, or (ii) a breach of the fiduciary duties under Part 4 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA.

 

(i)                                      Except as could not result in material Liability to an Acquired Company, each Company Employee Benefit Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) is in documentary and operational compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder in all respects. No Acquired Company has any obligation to indemnify or gross-up (or any Liability with respect thereto) any Person for any Tax imposed under Section 409A or 4999 of the Code.

 

35



 

(j)                                     With respect to each Company Employee Benefit Plan subject to the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States (a “ Company Foreign Benefit Plan ”):  (i) the fair market value of the assets of each funded Company Foreign Benefit Plan, the liability of each insurer for any Company Foreign Benefit Plan funded through insurance or the reserve shown on the consolidated financial statements of the applicable Acquired Company for any unfunded Company Foreign Benefit Plan, together with any accrued contributions, is sufficient to procure or provide for the projected benefit obligations, as of the Closing, with respect to all current and former participants in such Company Foreign Benefit Plan based on reasonable, country specific actuarial assumptions and valuations and no transaction contemplated by this Agreement shall cause such assets or insurance obligations or book reserve to be less than such projected benefit obligations; and (ii) each Company Foreign Benefit Plan required to be registered with a Governmental Entity has been timely and properly registered, has been maintained in good standing with the appropriate Governmental Entity, and is and has been administered, operated and maintained in all material respects in accordance with its terms and in compliance with all applicable Laws.

 

(k)                                  No individual who has performed services for any of the Acquired Companies has been improperly excluded from eligibility or participation in any Company Employee Benefit Plan.

 

3.17                         Insurance .  Each Acquired Company has in place policies of insurance adequate in scope and amount customary and reasonable for the businesses in which it is engaged.  Each such policy is in full force and effect and all premiums are currently paid in accordance with the terms of such policy, except as set forth on Schedule 3.17 .  No Acquired Company has received any written notice that any such policy will be cancelled or will not be renewed.

 

3.18                         Compliance with Laws; Permits; Certain Operations .

 

(a)                                  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18(a) , during the period covered by the applicable statute of limitations, the Acquired Companies have complied and are in compliance with, in each case in all material respects, all applicable Laws, no written notices have been received by and no claims have been filed against, and no audits including without limitation, tax or social security audits have been commenced against, any Acquired Company alleging a violation of any such Laws, other than notices, claims and audits that have been resolved and are no longer pending.  Neither Parent, nor Seller, nor Acquired Company, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of their Affiliates, directors, managers, officers or employees has offered or given, and the Company has no Knowledge of any Person that has offered or given on its behalf, anything of value to, in violation of applicable Law (i) any official or Person of a Governmental Entity, any political party or official thereof or any candidate for political office; (ii) any customer or supplier; or (iii) any other Person, in any such case while knowing or having reason to know that all or a portion of such money or thing of value may be offered, given or promised, directly or indirectly, to any customer, supplier or member of any Governmental Entity or any candidate for political office for the purpose of the following: (x) influencing any action or decision of such Person in such Person’s official capacity, including a decision to fail to perform such Person’s official function; (y) inducing such Person to use such Person’s influence with any Governmental Entity to affect or influence any act or decision of such Governmental Entity to assist any Acquired Company or any of its Affiliates in obtaining or retaining business for, with or directing business to any Person; or (z) where such payment would constitute a bribe, kickback or illegal or improper payment to assist the Acquired Company or any of its Affiliates in obtaining or retaining business for, with or directing business to any Person.

 

(b)                                  The Acquired Companies (i) hold all material Permits necessary or desirable for the ownership and use of the assets and properties and the conduct of the Acquired Companies’ business (including for the occupation and use of the Leased Real Property), and Schedule 3.18(b)  sets forth a list

 

36



 

of all of such Permits (including the identity of the Person holding such Permits), and (ii) is in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such Permits in all material respects.  To the extent that Schedule 3.18(b)  discloses that any Permits are held by Persons other than the Acquired Companies, Parent and Sellers will use reasonable efforts to cause the holder(s) of such Permits to transfer such Permits to the Acquired Companies at the Closing, and, to the extent that the consent of any Governmental Entity is required for such transfer, Parent and Sellers will use reasonable efforts to cause the holder to obtain such consents prior to the Closing in each case, to the extent such Permit may be transferred. All such Permits are in full force and effect and may be relied upon by Buyer and the Acquired Companies for lawful operation of the business of the Acquired Companies as of the Closing Date.

 

(c)                                   No Acquired Company has ever certified, represented or otherwise indicated (either orally or in writing) to any Person, including any current, former or potential customer or Governmental Entity, that it is a woman- or minority-owned business or small business or is otherwise entitled to any preference due to any similar designation.  No Acquired Company has ever received, or currently receives, any benefit of any kind from any designation with respect to the ownership, management or control of such Acquired Company (including any designation, representation or classification that such Acquired Company is a woman- or minority-owned business or small business or similar designation, representation or classification).

 

3.19                         Environmental and Safety Matters .  The Acquired Companies have at all times complied and are in compliance with all Environmental and Safety Requirements in all material respects.  The Acquired Companies have not (a) received any written notice, report or other information regarding any actual or alleged violation of or Liabilities under any Environmental and Safety Requirements from any Governmental Entity, or (b) treated, stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled, released, or exposed any Person to, any Hazardous Materials, or to the Company’s Knowledge, owned or operated any property or facility contaminated by any Hazardous Materials, which may reasonably give rise to any current or future Liabilities pursuant to any Environmental and Safety Requirements.  The Acquired Companies and Seller have provided Buyer with all environmental reports, audits, and other information materially bearing on environmental, health and safety matters associated with the current and former operations of such Acquired Company that are in their possession.

 

3.20                         Names and Locations; Officers, Managers and Bank Accounts Schedule 3.20 sets forth the name or names under which the Acquired Companies have conducted business during the past five years.  Schedule 3.20 lists all of the Company’s corporate appointed directors, officers, attorneys-in-fact, managers, bank accounts, safety deposit boxes and lock boxes (designating each authorized signatory with respect thereto).

 

3.21                         Customers; Vendors Schedule 3.21 sets forth a complete and correct list of (i) the twenty largest customers by sales of each of the Acquired Companies for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016 and the 6-month period ended June 30, 2017, (collectively, the “ Material Customers ”) and sets forth opposite the name of each such Material Customer the percentage of gross sales attributable to such Material Customer during such period and (ii) the twenty largest suppliers of each Acquired Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016 and the 6-month period ended June 30, 2017 in terms of the aggregate dollar amount of gross purchases made from such suppliers in such period, other than TAV, SIID and CDI (the “ Material Vendors ”) and sets forth opposite the name of each Material Vendor the amount paid to such Material Vendor during each such period. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21 , in the last twelve months, (i) no Material Customer (or other customer or group of customers which, in the aggregate, represent more than $50,000 of any Acquired Company’s annual revenues) has provided written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice or given any other written indication that any such Material

 

37



 

Customer intends to end its business relationship with the Acquired Company (whether as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise), other than in the Ordinary Course of Business (e.g., in the case of non-recurring customers of an Acquired Company) or as would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business of the Company and, (ii) no Material Vendor has provided notice or indicated that any such Material Vendor intends to cease doing business with such Acquired Company or intends to decrease the rate of, or change the terms with respect to, supplying materials, products or services to such Acquired Company (whether as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise), other than in the Ordinary Course of Business or as would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business of the Company.  To the Knowledge of the Company, no Material Vendor or Material Customer will cease to be a vendor or customer of such Acquired Company following the Closing.

 

3.22                         Affiliated Transactions .  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.22 , to the Knowledge of the Company and the actual knowledge of Todd, no Insider is a party to any Contract or other transaction with any Acquired Company or has any interest in any property, real or personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the business of the Acquired Companies.

 

3.23                         Unlawful Payments .  None of the Acquired Companies, nor any director, officer,  stockholder, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any employee, agent or representative of the Acquired Companies, has directly or indirectly on behalf of the Acquired Companies (a) made any contribution, gift, bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other payment to any Person, private or public, regardless of what form, whether in money, property or services, in violation of any applicable Laws (i) to obtain favorable treatment for the Acquired Companies or to secure Contracts, (ii) to pay for favorable treatment for the Acquired Companies or for contracts secured, or (iii) to obtain special concessions for the Acquired Companies or for special concessions already obtained, or (b) violated any of the provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. 78dd-1 et seq., or comparable foreign law or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder that apply to the Acquired Companies.  The internal accounting controls of the Acquired Companies are adequate to provide reasonable assurance that material instances of any of the foregoing are detected in a timely manner.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND SELLER PARTIES

 

As an inducement to Buyer to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, each Seller Party hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that the following representations and warranties are true and correct as of the date hereof and Seller and each Seller Party hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that the following representations and warranties will be true and correct as of the Closing Date as if then made, except that representations or warranties that are made as of a specific date shall be true and correct as of such date:

 

4.1                                Authorization; Ownership of Units .  Seller Parties have the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which such Seller Party is a party and perform Seller Parties’ obligations hereunder and thereunder.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Seller Party and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Seller party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles. As of the Closing Date, Seller will have the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Seller is a party and perform Seller’s obligations hereunder and thereunder.  As of the Closing Date, this Agreement will have been duly executed and delivered by Seller and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such may be

 

38



 

limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.  Seller shall transfer to Buyer good and marketable title to the Purchased Units pursuant to this Agreement, free and clear of all Liens.  No Seller Party is a party to any option, warrant, right, agreement, call, put or other Contract providing for the disposition or acquisition of any Equity Interests (other than this Agreement).  Seller does not have any claim, counterclaim, demand, cause of action, whether asserted or unasserted, whether based on contract, tort, statutory or other legal or equitable theory of recovery, in respect of its status as a holder of Equity Interests (including the Units) against any Acquired Company (other than the amounts payable under this Agreement).

 

4.2                                Noncontravention; Consents .

 

(a)                                  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Seller is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Seller do not and shall not (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (including a breach due to the failure to notify or obtain the prior consent or waiver of any Person), (ii) constitute a default under (whether with or without the giving of notice, the passage of time or both), (iii) result in the creation of any Lien upon the Purchased Units, or (iv) require the notification, consent or waiver of any other Person (either with or without the passage of time and giving of notice or both) under or pursuant to, any Contract to which Seller is bound, where such conflict, breach, default, or failure to give such notification or obtain such waiver or consent would materially and adversely affect Seller’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such Ancillary Agreements.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Seller is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Seller do not and shall not result in a violation of any Law or Order to which Seller is bound or subject.

 

(b)                                  Seller is not required to submit any notice, report or other filing with any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by Seller of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and no consent, approval or authorization of any Governmental Entity or any other party or Person is required to be obtained by Seller in connection with Seller’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

4.3                                Litigation .  There are no Proceedings pending or to the best of Seller’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting Seller at law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Entity.

 

4.4                                Brokerage .  Seller has no Liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except for arrangements for which Seller and/or Seller Parties shall be solely responsible.

 

ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

 

As an inducement to Seller, Seller Parties and the Company to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller, Seller Parties and the Company that the following representations and warranties are true and correct as of the date hereof and will be true and correct as of the Closing Date as if then made, except that representations or warranties that by their express terms are made as of a specific date shall be true and correct as of such date:

 

39



 

5.1                                Organization; Authorization .  Buyer is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full company power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to be executed and delivered by Buyer and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite company action on the part of Buyer, and no other company proceedings on the part of Buyer are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements.  This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to be executed and delivered by Buyer constitute valid and binding obligations of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their respective terms, except as such may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

 

5.2                                Noncontravention; Consents .

 

(a)                                  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Buyer is party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Buyer do not and shall not (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (including a breach due to the failure to notify or obtain the prior consent or waiver of any Person), (ii) constitute a default under (whether with or without the giving of notice, the passage of time or both), or (iii) require the notification, consent or waiver of any other Person (either with or without the passage of time and giving of notice or both) under or pursuant to, any Contract to which Buyer is bound, where such conflict, breach, default, or failure to give such notification or obtain such wavier or consent would materially and adversely affect Buyer’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such Ancillary Agreements.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Buyer is party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Buyer do not and shall not result in a violation of any Law or Order to which Buyer is bound or subject.

 

(b)                                  Buyer is not required to submit any notice, report or other filing with any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by Buyer of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and no consent, approval or authorization of any Governmental Entity or any other party or Person is required to be obtained by Buyer in connection with Seller’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

5.3                                Brokerage .  Except for arrangements for which Buyer shall be solely responsible, there are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders’ fees or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of Buyer.

 

5.4                                Litigation .  There are no Proceedings pending or, to the best of Buyer’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting Buyer at law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Entity.

 

5.5                                Acquisition Loan Agreement . As of the Effective Date. Buyer has delivered to Seller and Seller Parties duly executed copies of the commitment letter and related term sheet of Comerica Bank, dated as of June 14, 2017 (the “ Commitment Letter ”), pursuant to which such Person has agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to enter into the Acquisition Loan Agreement. As of the date hereof, the Commitment Letter is in full force and effect. To the knowledge of Buyer, there are no conditions precedent or other contingencies relating to the funding of the full amount of the proceeds under the contemplated Acquisition Loan Agreement except as stated in the Commitment Letter.

 

40



 

5.6                                Sufficiency of Funds .  As of the Closing Date, subject to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Loan Agreement on terms satisfactory to Buyer, in its reasonable discretion, Buyer will have sufficient funds consisting of cash on hand and other sources of immediately available funds to enable it to make the payment of the Initial Cash Purchase Price and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

5.7                                Investment Purpose .  The Purchased Units will be acquired for investment for the Buyer’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof and Buyer has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the Purchased Units.  Buyer does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to any Person, with respect to any of the Purchased Units.  Buyer acknowledges that the Purchased Units, at the time of issuance, will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “ Securities Act ”) or any state securities laws, and that the Purchased Units may not be sold or transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws or regulations. Buyer has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters such that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Purchased Units, and is able to bear the economic risk of holding the Purchased Units for an indefinite period, including total loss of its investment.

 

5.8                                Ashford Common Stock .  The issuance of the Ashford Common Stock Consideration pursuant to this Agreement has been duly authorized and upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the shares of Ashford Common Stock constituting the Ashford Common Stock Consideration will have been validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable and will not be subject to any preemptive rights, will have the rights, preferences and privileges specified in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Ashford, as amended, and will be free and clear of all Liens, other than the restrictions imposed by this Agreement and applicable securities Law.

 

5.9                                Capitalization .  As June 30, 2017, the authorized capital stock of Ashford consisted solely of (a) 100,000,000 shares of Ashford Common Stock, of which 2,021,754 shares were issued and outstanding, and (b) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, including Series A cumulative preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, no shares of which were issued and outstanding. No other class of capital stock of Ashford is authorized, issued or outstanding. Except as disclosed in Ashford SEC Reports or as would not reasonably be expected to have a material impact on the market price of the Ashford Common Stock Consideration as of the Closing Date, (a) there are no (i) securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Ashford capital stock, (ii) subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights, convertible securities or other contracts, agreements or commitments of any kind or character obligating Ashford to issue, transfer or sell any of its capital stock, (iii) equity equivalents or agreements, arrangements or understandings granting any person any rights in Ashford similar to capital stock and (b) there are no outstanding obligations of Ashford to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Ashford capital stock. Ashford has, and as of the Closing Date will have, sufficient authorized shares of Ashford Common Stock, not otherwise reserved for issuance, to enable it to issue the Ashford Common Stock Consideration in full.

 

5.10                         SEC Reports .  The Ashford SEC Reports (a) required to be filed have been filed, (b) comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and (c) did not, at the time they were filed, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  As of their respective dates, the financial statements included in the Ashford SEC Reports (x) comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange

 

41



 

Commission with respect thereto, (y) were prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated under the Exchange Act), and (z) fairly present (subject in the case of unaudited statements to audit and year-end audit adjustments) in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Ashford as of the dates thereof and consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.

 

5.11                         Investment Company .  Neither Buyer nor Ashford is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

5.12                         Listing .  The Ashford Common Stock is listed on the NYSE MKT, LLC, and Ashford has not received any notice of delisting.  There is no suit, action, proceeding or investigation pending or, to Buyer’s knowledge, threatened against the Buyer Party or Ashford by the NYSE MKT, LLC or the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Ashford Common Stock or prohibit or terminate the listing of Ashford Common Stock on the NYSE MKT, LLC.  Ashford has taken no action that is designed to terminate the registration of Ashford Common Stock under the Exchange Act.

 

5.13                         Absence of Certain Changes or Events .  Since December 31, 2016, there has not been any event, change, effect or development that, individually or in the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Ashford.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

INTERIM CLOSING COVENANTS

 

6.1                                Affirmative Covenants of the Acquired Companies .  From and after the date of this Agreement and until the Closing, unless Buyer otherwise agrees in writing (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), the Acquired Companies, Seller Parties and Seller shall, and Seller and Seller Parties shall cause each of the Acquired Companies to:

 

(a)                                  operate only in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(b)                                  use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain such Acquired Company’s books, accounts and records, pay expenses and payables, bill customers, collect receivables, purchase inventory, perform all maintenance and repairs necessary to adequately maintain its facilities and equipment, maintain the insurance policies it currently has in place and otherwise conduct its business, in each case in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(c)                                   use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its corporate existence and business organization and goodwill and present business relationships with all customers, suppliers, licensors, distributors and others having significant business relationships with the Acquired Companies, to the extent such relationships are beneficial to the Acquired Companies and their businesses, and, except as otherwise requested by Buyer, use commercially reasonable efforts to encourage such Acquired Company’s officers, managers and other key employees to continue their employment through and after the Closing, which efforts shall not require increasing the compensation (including salary and benefits) or offering cash bonuses or other similar monetary incentives to such officers, managers or key employees;

 

42



 

(d)                                  (i) comply in all material respects with all Laws and Contracts applicable to its operations and business, and (ii) maintain in full force and effect all existing Permits applicable to its operations and business;

 

(e)                                   use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect (i) all Leased Real Property, (ii) all Intellectual Property Rights, and (iii) all Contracts under which such Acquired Company receives Intellectual Property Rights;

 

(f)                                    to use commercially reasonable efforts to duly execute and deliver binding written agreements, each in all material respects reflecting the terms of the existing oral Contracts set forth in Schedule 3.10(c) ;

 

(g)                                   cooperate with Buyer in Buyer’s investigation of the business and properties of the Acquired Companies pursuant to Section 6.4 ;

 

(h)                                  cooperate with Buyer and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the conditions to Buyer’s obligations to close to be satisfied (including the execution and delivery of all agreements contemplated hereunder to be so executed and delivered and the making and obtaining of all third party and governmental notices, filings, authorizations, approvals, consents, releases and terminations necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby); and

 

(i)                                      promptly (once such Acquired Company or Seller obtains knowledge thereof) inform Buyer in writing of any inaccuracy or variance from the representations and warranties contained in ARTICLE III and ARTICLE IV hereof or any breach of any covenant hereunder by any Acquired Company or Seller Party.

 

6.2                                Negative Covenants of the Acquired Companies .  From and after the date hereof and until the Closing, unless Buyer otherwise agrees in writing (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), other than as set forth on Schedule 6.2 , each of the Acquired Companies will not, and Seller shall cause each of the Acquired Companies to not:

 

(a)                                  take or omit to take any action that could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)                                  cause or permit such Acquired Company to merge or consolidate with any other Person other than pursuant to the Restructuring;

 

(c)                                   change any Tax election, change any annual accounting period, change any accounting method, file any amended Tax Return, surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, enter into any closing agreement or settle any Tax claim or assessment relating to such Acquired Company, consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment relating to such Acquired Company, fail to pay any Taxes as they become due and payable or take any other similar action relating to the filing of any Tax Return or the payment of any Tax;

 

(d)                                  take any action for its winding up, liquidation, dissolution or reorganization or for the appointment of a receiver, administrator or administrative receiver, trustee or similar officer of all or any of its assets or revenues;

 

(e)                                   make or agree to make any disposition or sale, license or lease of, or incurrence of any Lien on, any of the Acquired Companies’ assets or properties other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, except for non-exclusive license grants to other Persons in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

43



 

(f)                                    declare, set aside, establish a record date for, make or pay any distribution (whether payable in cash, equity, property or a combination thereof) with respect to any of its Equity Interests, or enter into any agreement with respect to the voting of its Equity Interests;

 

(g)                                   incur or guarantee any Indebtedness or Liability, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, (ii) amend any material term of any Contract related to Indebtedness, (iii)  increase salaries or bonuses or otherwise increase or accelerate the compensation or benefits payable or provided to or with respect to any current or former director, officer, employee, consultant, advisor, independent contractor or agent, except for increases required by existing Contracts as in effect on the effective date of this Agreement, increases mandated by applicable Laws, periodic increases made in the Ordinary Course of Business, or increases as a result of a promotion in the Ordinary Course of Business, (iv) issue or sell any debt securities, (v) make a loan to any Person or (vi) purchase any debt securities of any Person;

 

(h)                                  take any action or omit to take any action that would require disclosure pursuant to Section 3.6 if each representation and warranty contained therein were remade as of the time of such action or omission;

 

(i)                                      allow any insurance policy, Permit or Leased Real Property to lapse or expire, or terminate or fail to renew any insurance policy, Permit or Leased Real Property that is scheduled to terminate or expire within 45 calendar days of the Closing Date; or

 

(j)                                     commit to do any of the foregoing.

 

6.3                                Affirmative Covenants of the Buyer .

 

(a)                                  From and after the date of this Agreement and until the Closing, unless Seller and Seller Parties otherwise agree in writing, the Buyer shall:

 

(i)                                      use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Acquisition Loan Agreement to be entered into in connection with the Closing;

 

(ii)                                   use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the approval of the board of directors of Ashford required under Section 2.6(j) ;

 

(iii)                                maintain the confidentiality of the Company Confidential Information and not use such information other than for the evaluation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements; and

 

(iv)                               cooperate with Seller and Seller Parties and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the conditions to Seller’s obligations to close to be satisfied (including the execution and delivery of all agreements contemplated hereunder to be so executed and delivered and the making and obtaining of all third party and governmental notices, filings, authorizations, approvals, consents, releases and terminations necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby).

 

(b)                                  In connection with the Closing, the Company shall establish a retention bonus pool to be funded with no less than $300,000 within a reasonable amount of time following the Closing (the “ Retention Bonus Pool ”).  The Retention Bonus Pool shall be for the benefit of certain key employees of the Company and shall provide for vesting over the course of four years from the Closing Date.

 

44



 

(c)                                   Cooperation .  Buyer shall, and shall cause Ashford to, reasonably cooperate with Seller, Seller Parties and its and their successors or assigns in any subsequent sale of all or part of the Ashford Common Stock Consideration, including but not limited to providing customary representations of Ashford regarding availability of information and providing any customary legal opinions that may be required by the transfer agent in connection with the sale of the Ashford Common Stock Consideration.

 

6.4                                Good Faith Negotiation; Cooperation .  Each Party hereby agrees that such Party shall negotiate in good faith and cooperate fully with the other Party and its Affiliates in satisfying conditions to Closing set forth in Sections 2.5 and 2.6 and otherwise.  The Parties hereto shall not willfully take any action for the primary purpose of delaying, impairing or impeding the Closing.  The Acquired Companies, Seller and Seller Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, and shall cause their respective representatives to, reasonably cooperate in connection with the financing arrangements of Buyer as may be requested by Buyer (including, without limitation, providing assistance and cooperation in connection with the Acquisition Loan Agreement), including by (a) participating in a customary and reasonable number of meetings, presentations, due diligence sessions, drafting sessions and sessions with prospective lenders, (b) furnishing Buyer and its lenders with financial and other pertinent information regarding the Acquired Companies, (c) assisting Buyer and its lenders in the preparation of lender presentations, private placement memoranda, bank information memoranda and similar documents, and (d) taking reasonable actions, subject to the occurrence of the Closing, necessary to permit the consummation of Buyer’s financing; provided that (i) no Acquired Company shall be required to pay any fee or other amount in connection with the foregoing (ii) no Seller or Seller Party shall be required to incur personal liability or execute a personal guaranty in connection with any financing arrangements or the Acquisition Loan Agreement, and (iii) such assistance, cooperation and other actions shall not unreasonably interfere with the operations of any Acquired Company.

 

6.5                                Access .  From the date hereof until and through the Closing Date, the Seller and Seller Parties shall cause each Acquired Company to afford Buyer and its representatives reasonable access to (i) discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of such Acquired Company with the representatives, directors, officers, key employees, key sales representatives, and independent accountants and legal representatives of such Acquired Company, (ii) visit and inspect the properties of such Acquired Company, (iii) access the premises, books and records, files, Contracts and documents of such Acquired Company, provided , however , Buyer and its representatives must get the prior approval of Monroe or Kevin (such approval to not be unreasonably withheld) before any such discussion, communication, visit, inspection or access, none of which shall unreasonably interfere with the normal operations of such Acquired Company.  Any such discussion, communication, access, visit or inspection may be under the supervision of the personnel of any Acquired Company, Seller or Seller Parties.  Any access or communication between the Buyer and any key customer or key supplier must be approved in a writing executed by the Buyer on one hand and Monroe or Kevin on the other hand, which writing shall outline the terms of such access or communication (including appropriate limitations on the topics to be discussed), and any such access or communication by the Buyer or its representatives with any key customer or key supplier may be under the supervision of the personnel of any Acquired Company, Seller or Seller Parties, and any such access or communications shall not interfere with the normal business operations of the Company.  The Acquired Companies shall furnish to Buyer, Buyer’s financing sources and their respective representatives, such financial, operating and other data and information concerning the assets, commitments, Contracts, and properties of such Acquired Company as Buyer may reasonably request; provided , however , that any such access or furnishing of information shall be conducted at Buyer’s expense, under the supervision of the personnel of such Acquired Company and in such a manner as not unreasonably to interfere with the normal operations of such Acquired Company.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Acquired Company shall be required to disclose any information to Buyer, Buyer’s financing sources or its Representatives if such disclosure would

 

45



 

(i) jeopardize any attorney-client or other legal privilege, (ii) contravene any applicable Law, or any confidentiality restriction contained in any Material Contract.

 

6.6                                Exclusivity .  From the date of this Agreement through earlier of (a) the Closing Date, and (b) the date of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 , the Acquired Companies, Seller and each Seller Party shall not, and shall cause the officers, employees, managers, members, representatives, agents, lenders, investment bankers and Affiliates of the Acquired Companies and Seller not to, directly or indirectly, discuss, pursue, solicit, initiate or otherwise enter into any discussions, agreements or other arrangements regarding, a possible sale or other disposition (whether by sale, merger, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of all or any material part of the Equity Interests or assets of the Acquired Companies with any Person other than Buyer or its Affiliates (an “ Acquisition Proposal ”) or provide any information to any third party other than information which is traditionally provided in the Ordinary Course of Business to third parties where none of the Acquired Companies’ officers, managers, members and Affiliates have reason to believe that such information may be utilized to evaluate any such possible sale or other disposition.  The Acquired Companies, Seller and each Seller Party shall, and shall cause the officers, managers, members, employees and Affiliates of the Acquired Companies and Seller and to, (i) immediately cease and cause to be terminated any and all contacts, discussions and negotiations with third parties regarding the foregoing, and (ii) promptly notify Buyer if any Acquisition Proposal, or any inquiry or contact with any Person with respect thereto, is subsequently made after the date hereof and the material terms thereof (including the identity of the third party or third parties and the specific material terms discussed or proposed.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

7.1                                Survival of Representations and Warranties .  All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, the Schedules, the Ancillary Agreements or in any writing or certificate delivered in connection with this Agreement shall survive indefinitely following the Closing Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing and except with respect to fraud, Buyer Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to recover for any Loss pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(i)  and Section 7.2(a)(ii)  unless written notice of a claim thereof is delivered to Seller prior to the Applicable Limitation Date, however any post-Closing covenant shall not have an Applicable Limitation Date and thus shall survive until the applicable statute of limitations.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Applicable Limitation Date ” means the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date; provided , however that the Applicable Limitation Date with respect to any Loss arising from or related to J&S Audiovisual Mexico, J&S Audio Visual DR, J&S Jamaica and PT Mexico Services shall be the date that is thirty-six (36) months after the Closing Date; provided , further , however, a breach of any Fundamental Representation shall be the date which is 180 calendar days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including any extensions thereto).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any representation or warranty in respect of which indemnity may be sought under Section 7.2 , and the indemnity with respect thereto, shall survive the time at which it would otherwise terminate pursuant to this Section 7.1 if written notice of the inaccuracy or breach, or potential inaccuracy or breach, thereof giving rise to such right or alleged right of indemnity shall have been given in good faith with reasonably specificity to Seller prior to such time.  To the extent the survival periods of the representations and warranties as set forth in this Section 7.1 differ from the survival periods under the applicable statute of limitations, the Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that the survival periods set forth in this Section 7.1 are intended to alter such applicable statutes of limitations.  The representations and warranties in this Agreement and the Schedules attached hereto or in any certificate delivered by any Party to any other Party as required by this Agreement shall in no event be affected by any investigation, inquiry or examination made for or on behalf of any of the Parties, or

 

46



 

any knowledge of any of the Parties or their respective officers, directors, shareholders, members, managers, employees or agents or the acceptance by any Party of any certificate or opinion hereunder.

 

7.2                                General Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  The Seller and each Seller Party shall jointly and severally indemnify Buyer Indemnified Parties and save and hold each of them harmless from and against, and pay on behalf of or reimburse such Buyer Indemnified Parties for, any and all Losses which any such Buyer Indemnified Party may suffer, sustain or become subject to as a result of, arising from, in connection with, by virtue of or related to (i) any breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty regarding the Acquired Companies, Parent or Seller set forth in this Agreement (including but not limited to those representations and warranties set forth in ARTICLE III and ARTICLE IV), the Schedules or any certificate furnished by or on behalf of the Acquired Companies, Parent or Seller pursuant to this Agreement (in each case ignoring, for purposes of determining the amount of Losses relating thereto, any qualification as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or words of similar import contained in any such representation or warranty (other than the representation contained in Section 3.5 (No Material Adverse Effect)), (ii) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or other provision by the Acquired Companies, Seller or any Seller Party under this Agreement, the Schedules or any certificate furnished by or on behalf of the Acquired Companies or Seller pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) any Liability for Taxes or arising out of or related to Employee Benefit Plans arising on or before the Closing Date, (iv) any Liabilities arising out of or related to labor and social security Laws resulting from any natural person acting as an independent contractor (directly or indirectly) for the Acquired Companies arising on or before the Closing Date, (v) any Indebtedness to the extent not included in Final Indebtedness, (vi) any Dominican Employment Liabilities, (vii) any Liabilities arising out of or related to the operations, employees (or former employees), businesses and assets of J&S Jamaica, PT Mexico Services, TAV, SIID, CDI, Woodson, and with respect to any such Liabilities arising on or before the Closing Date, Innova, (viii) any Liabilities related to or arising out of the TAV Assets, including, but not limited to, any successor Liability for Taxes, labor and social security Laws arising prior to the transfer of any such asset to J&S Audiovisual Mexico, (ix) any Liabilities related to or arising out of the CDI Liquidation, (x) any claims brought by or on behalf of any employee (or former employee) of TAV, SIID, CDI, Woodson and, with respect to any such Liabilities arising on or before the Closing Date, Innova, (xi) any Liabilities arising or related to any direct or indirect breach or non-fulfillment of the TAV Assets Covenant or a breach by TAV of the TAV Transportation Services Renewal, Transportation Services Agreement or TAV Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Buyer shall indemnify Seller and save and hold it harmless from and against any Losses which Seller may suffer, sustain or become subject to as a result of, arising from, in connection with, by virtue of or related to (i) any breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of Buyer under this Agreement or any certificate furnished by or on behalf of Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or other provision by Buyer under this Agreement or any certificate furnished by or on behalf of Buyer pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The Seller and Seller Parties shall not be liable to Buyer Indemnified Parties for any Loss pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(i)  and (ii)  (other than with respect to Fundamental Representations and covenants and agreements contained in this Article VII) (i) until the aggregate amount of all such Losses that Seller or Seller Parties would, but for this clause (i), be liable exceeds $227,500 in the aggregate (the “ Basket ”), in which case Seller shall be liable for all such Losses in excess of the Basket, or (ii) to the extent the aggregate amount of all Losses previously indemnified by Seller pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(i)  exceeds $4,250,000 (the “ Cap ”).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Basket and the Cap shall not apply with respect to any Loss arising from or related to (and no such Loss shall be counted towards the Basket or the Cap), (1) fraud, (2) breaches or inaccuracies of the

 

47



 

Fundamental Representations, (3) any matters referenced in Sections 7.2(a)(ii)  - (xi)  or (4) any breach of any post-Closing covenant or agreement contained in this Article VII (including those covenants set forth in Section 7.7 ); provided, however, that, except for Losses attributable to fraud or pursuant to Sections 7.2(a)(ii)  - (xi)  and Section 7.3 , the aggregate liability of the Sellers under this Agreement shall not exceed the Aggregate Purchase Price.

 

(d)                                  Seller and Seller Parties shall have the right to update the Schedules and deliver one or more schedule supplements (“ Schedule Supplements ”) to the Buyer at any time prior to the Closing Date. Seller and Seller Parties shall indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Parties under Sections 7.2 and 7.3 as if the Schedule Supplements had not been delivered.  Any Losses for which the Seller would not have had to indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Parties but for the foregoing sentence shall not be subject to the Basket, provided, however, that the Buyer may not terminate this Agreement under Section 8.1(b)  due to a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant if a Schedule Supplement cures such breach, unless any such breach has a Material Adverse Effect. Any amounts paid by Seller or Seller Parties under this Section 7.2(d)  shall be counted towards the aggregate amount of Losses to be indemnified by the Seller and Seller Parties under the Cap and the Aggregate Purchase Price, as applicable.

 

(e)                                   Any amounts owing under Section 7.2(a)  or 7.2(b)  shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within 15 business days (the “ Determination Date ”) after the determination thereof by adjudication (by any designated arbiter) or agreement of the indemnifying party. Seller and Seller Parties agree that the Escrow Shares comprising the Escrow Fund shall be available to indemnify Buyer for any amounts owing under Section 7.2(a)  and that any amounts so owed shall be satisfied by the disbursement to Buyer of Escrow Shares having an Indemnity Value equal to the amounts to be satisfied. Any amounts owing by Seller or a Seller Party under Section 7.2(a)(i)  (other than with respect to the Fundamental Representations) shall first be satisfied to the extent possible from the Escrow Shares comprising the Escrow Fund and thereafter shall be satisfied directly by Seller in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 7.2(e) .  All indemnification payments under this Section 7.2 shall be deemed adjustments to the Aggregate Purchase Price, as finally determined pursuant to Section 2.4 . Each Indemnitee shall take commercially reasonable steps to mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of the occurrence of an event or circumstance that gives or would reasonably be expect to give rise to a claim for Losses under this Section 7.2 .  On the 18 month anniversary of the Closing Date (the “ Release Date ”), a number of Escrow Shares obtained by dividing (i) $2,750,000 by (ii) the Indemnity Value shall be released to the Seller Parties (less a requisite number of Escrow Shares withheld for pending claims) in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Escrow Agreement. Any Escrow Shares remaining in the Escrow Fund (less a requisite number of Escrow Shares withheld for pending claims) shall be released to Seller Parties 36 months after the Closing Date in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

 

(f)                                    Subject to applicable law, Buyer Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to offset any amounts owed by a Buyer Indemnified Party against any amounts due from Seller to any of Buyer Indemnified Parties pursuant to this Agreement (whether pursuant to this ARTICLE VII or pursuant to Section 2.4 ), provided that in the event Seller brings an action against Buyer challenging an indemnification claim made by a Buyer Indemnified Party hereunder, any amounts that would have been paid to Seller but for Buyer Indemnified Parties’ right of offset shall be placed in an escrow account pending the ultimate resolution of such lawsuit. Any amount owed to any Buyer Indemnified Party under this Section 7.2 will be reduced by any amount such Buyer Indemnified Party actually receives as a result of the underlying Loss giving rise to any claim pursuant to the terms of the insurance policies (if any) covering such claim.

 

48



 

(g)                                   Any party making a claim for indemnification under this Section 7.2 (an “ Indemnitee ”) shall notify the indemnifying party (an “ Indemnitor ”) of the claim in writing promptly after the Indemnitee has determined that a basis for a claim exists, including after receiving written notice of any Proceeding or other claim against it (if by a third party), describing the claim, the amount thereof (if known and quantifiable), the basis therefor, and copies of all written material related to the claim in the Indemnitee’s possession; provided that the failure to so notify an Indemnitor shall not relieve an Indemnitor of its obligations hereunder, except to the extent that (and only to the extent that) an Indemnitor is materially prejudiced thereby, including any prejudice resulting from an untimely notification of such claim.  In the event of a Proceeding or claim, any Indemnitor shall be entitled to participate in the defense of such Proceeding or other claim giving rise to an Indemnitee’s claim for indemnification at such Indemnitor’s expense, and at its option (subject to the limitations set forth below) shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof by appointing counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee to be the lead counsel in connection with such defense, and the Indemnitee shall cooperate in good faith in any such defense; provided that, prior to the Indemnitor assuming control of such defense they shall first verify to the Indemnitee in writing that they shall be fully responsible for all Losses relating to such claim for indemnification (subject to the Basket and the Cap, if applicable) and that they will provide full indemnification to the Indemnitee with respect to such Proceeding or other claim giving rise to such claim for indemnification hereunder (without limitation or reservation of rights other than the Basket and the Cap, as applicable); and provided further, that (a) the Indemnitee shall be entitled to participate in the defense of such claim and to employ counsel of its choice for such purpose, subject to the Indemnitor’s right to control the defense thereof; provided that the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be borne by the Indemnitee (other than any fees and expenses of such separate counsel that are incurred prior to the date Seller effectively assumes control of such defense which, notwithstanding the foregoing, shall be borne by Seller); (b) Seller shall not be entitled to assume control of such defense and shall pay the fees and expenses of counsel retained by a Buyer Indemnified Party if (i) the claim for indemnification relates to or arises in connection with any criminal proceeding, action, indictment, allegation or investigation; (ii) the claim primarily seeks an injunction or other equitable relief against the Buyer Indemnified Party; (ii) the Indemnitor fails to vigorously prosecute or defend such claim; (iii) the claim involves any Acquired Company’s customers, suppliers or material business relations; (iv) the claim involves Taxes; or (v) Buyer Indemnified Party reasonably believes that the Loss relating to such claim could exceed the maximum amount that Buyer Indemnified Party could then be entitled to recover under the applicable provisions of this Section 7.2 ; and (c) if an Indemnitor shall control the defense of any such claim, such Indemnitor shall obtain the prior written consent of the Indemnitee (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) before entering into any settlement of a claim or ceasing to defend such claim if, pursuant to or as a result of such settlement or cessation, injunctive or other equitable relief will be imposed against the Indemnitee or if such settlement does not expressly and unconditionally release the Indemnitee from all Liabilities and obligations with respect to such claim, without prejudice.

 

7.3                                Certain Tax Matters .

 

(a)                                  The Seller and each Seller Party shall jointly and severally indemnify Buyer Indemnified Parties and hold each of them harmless from and against, any Losses attributable to (i) all Taxes (or the non-payment thereof) of Parent and Seller and Seller Parties (where applicable), (ii) all Taxes (or the non-payment thereof) of the Acquired Companies for all taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date and the portion through the end of the Closing Date for any taxable period that includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date (“ Pre-Closing Tax Period ”), (iii) all Taxes of any member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group of which an Acquired Company (or any predecessor thereof) is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date, including pursuant to Treasury Regulation 1.1502-6 or any analogous or similar state, local, or non-U.S. law or regulation, (iv) any and all Taxes of any person (other than the Company) imposed on an Acquired Company as a transferee or successor, by Contract or pursuant to any Law which Taxes relate to an event or transaction occurring on

 

49



 

or before the Closing Date, (v) all Taxes imposed on the Company as a result of an election made by any of Parent, Seller or the Company under §108(i) of the Code, (vi) any and all employment and payroll Taxes imposed with respect to any compensatory payments hereunder (including payments pursuant to the release of any Escrow Shares), and (vii) costs and expenses associated with preparing, filing, amending and defending any Tax Return for any Pre-Closing Tax Period.  The indemnification under this Section 7.3(a)  shall not be subject to the Basket, Cap or other limitations set forth in Section 7.2 or elsewhere in this Agreement.  Sellers shall reimburse Buyer for any Taxes of the Acquired Companies which are the responsibility of Seller pursuant to this Section 7.3(a)  at least three business days prior to payment of such Taxes by Buyer or the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, Buyer shall bear the cost of the Tax Make-up Amount without indemnification.

 

(b)                                  Buyer shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed all Tax Returns for the Acquired Companies for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods that are filed after the Closing Date.  Buyer shall permit Seller to review and comment on each such material Tax Return described in the preceding sentence prior to filing.  The Seller shall deliver to Buyer, at least three Business Days prior to the date on which Taxes shown on such Tax Returns are required to be paid, the amount of Taxes attributable to Pre-Closing Tax Periods shown as due on such Tax Returns.

 

(c)                                   In the case of any taxable period that includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date (a “ Straddle Period ”) the amount of any Taxes based on or measured by income, payment, sales, receipts or payroll for the Pre-Closing Tax Period of a Straddle Period shall be determined based on an interim closing of the books as of the close of business on the Closing Date and the amount of other Taxes for a Straddle Period that relates to the Pre-Closing Tax Period shall be deemed to be (i) the amount of such Tax for the entire taxable period, (ii)  multiplied by a fraction (A) the numerator of which is the number of days in the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date and (B) the denominator of which is the number of days in such Straddle Period; provided, further, that any franchise Tax or other Tax providing the right to do business shall be allocated to the period during which the income, operations, assets or capital comprising the base of such Tax is measured, regardless of whether the right to do business for another period is obtained by the payment of such Tax.

 

(d)                                  If a notice of deficiency, proposed adjustment, assessment, audit, examination or other Proceeding, dispute or other claim (a “ Tax Contest ”) shall be delivered, sent, commenced or initiated to or against Buyer or an Acquired Company by any Governmental Entity with respect to Taxes that results in or may result in a Loss for which indemnification may be claimed from Seller under this Agreement, Buyer shall promptly notify Seller in writing of such Tax Contest.  The Seller shall, by its written election to Buyer within 10 calendar days of receiving notice of the Tax Contest (or such shorter period as required by law to timely answer and/or commence defending the Tax Contest), have the right (at their sole cost and expense) to represent the Company’s interests in any Tax Contest solely related to a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date for which it has Liability under this Agreement, to employ counsel of its choice at Seller’s expense and to control the conduct of such Tax Contest, but if and only if (i) Seller first verifies to Buyer in writing that Seller has the unconditional obligation to indemnify Buyer Indemnified Parties hereunder with respect to any Loss or Tax related to such Tax Contest, (ii) Buyer does not reasonably believe that an adverse determination with respect to such Tax Contest would have a material and adverse effect on the business of Buyer or the Acquired Companies, (iii) Seller conducts such settlement or defense actively and diligently (including, but not limited, to posting in a timely and duly fashion in accordance with all applicable laws all bonds and other collateral as it may be necessary, required, or convenient), and (iv) such Tax Contest does not seek criminal penalties.  The Seller shall not settle or otherwise dispose of any Tax Contest without the prior written consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.  Seller shall (A) timely consult with Buyer on an ongoing basis regarding the Tax issues raised in such Tax Contest, (B) keep Buyer (and its agents) informed as to the progress of any Tax Contest in a timely manner, (C) promptly provide

 

50



 

copies of all correspondence or other documents relating to such Tax Contest to Buyer (or its agents), and (D) promptly provide notice of any scheduled meetings (whether telephonic or in person) with any Governmental Entity and permit Buyer, at Buyer’s expense, to attend and participate in such meetings.  Buyer shall have the right to control the conduct of all other Tax Contests of the Company.  The provisions of this Section 7.3(d)  shall apply (and not the provisions of Section 7.2(f) ) with respect to any third-party claim for which indemnification may be sought pursuant to Section 7.2(a) .

 

(e)                                   Buyer, the Company and Seller shall cooperate (and cause their respective Affiliates to cooperate) fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other parties, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns pursuant to this Section 7.3 and any audit, litigation or other Proceeding with respect to Taxes and payments in respect thereof.  Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the other parties’ request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation or other Proceeding, and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder.  The Company and Seller agree to retain copies of all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Acquired Companies relating to any taxable period beginning before the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations (and, to the extent notified by Buyer or Seller, as applicable, any extensions thereof) of the respective taxable periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any taxing authority.

 

(f)                                    Buyer and Seller further agree, upon request, to use their commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Governmental Entity or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed (including, but not limited to, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby).  Buyer and Seller further agree, upon request, to provide the other party with all information that either party may be required to report pursuant to §§6043 and 6043A of the Code and all Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(g)                                   All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, notarial fees and other similar Taxes and all conveyance fees, recording charges and other charges and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the TAV Asset Purchase Agreement (including any transfer tax, capital gains tax, value added, goods and services and any similar Tax imposed by any taxing authority), shall be paid by the Seller and/or appropriate Seller Parties when due.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be responsible for any costs associated with the Company’s failure to timely give notification or file appropriate documents with any Mexican Governmental Entity related to the transfer of vehicles from TAV to J&S Audiovisual Mexico. The Company will file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all such Taxes, charges and fees, and, if required by applicable Law, Seller and Buyer will, and will cause their respective Affiliates to, join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation; provided that any expenses of the Company incurred in connection with this Section 7.3(g)  shall be paid by Seller. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, Buyer shall bear the cost of the Tax Make-up Amount without indemnification.

 

(h)                                  All Tax-sharing agreements or similar agreements with respect to or involving the Company shall be terminated as of the Closing Date and, after the Closing Date, the Company shall not be bound thereby or have any liability thereunder.

 

(i)                                      Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Seller a draft of a statement (the “ Allocation Statement ”) setting forth its proposed calculation of the aggregate amount of the Aggregate Purchase Price (including the amount of any assumed liabilities) to be allocated among the undivided interest in the assets of the Company purchased in exchange for the

 

51



 

Aggregate Purchase Price and the proposed allocation of such aggregate amount among such undivided interest in the assets of the Company in accordance with a methodology which shall be set forth in Schedule 7.3(i) .  The methodology in Schedule 7.3(i)  will specify that the Aggregate Purchase Price allocable to Classes I through V (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.338-6(b)) with respect to the undivided interest in the assets of the Company purchased in exchange for the Aggregate Purchase Price will be equal to the Company’s adjusted tax basis in such undivided interest in the assets that are included in Classes I through V. The parties agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to prepare the Allocation Statement in accordance and consistent with Schedule 7.3(i) . The Allocation Statement will be prepared in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and the rules and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.  Buyer and Seller also shall allocate and report any adjustments to the Aggregate Purchase Price in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.1060-1(e), and any allocations made as a result of such adjustments shall become part of the Allocation Statement. The parties to this Agreement agree to report the allocation of the Aggregate Purchase Price (including the amount of any assumed liabilities) among the undivided interest in the assets of the Company purchased in exchange for the Aggregate Purchase Price in a manner consistent with the Allocation Statement and agree to act in accordance with the Allocation Statement in the preparation and filing of all Tax Returns (including filing Form 8594 with their respective federal income tax returns for the taxable year that includes the Closing Date and any other forms or statements required by the Code, Treasury Regulations, the Internal Revenue Service or any applicable state or local Governmental Authority) and in the course of any Tax audit, Tax review or Tax litigation relating thereto; provided , however , that (i) Buyer’s cost for the undivided interest in the assets that it is deemed to acquire may differ from the total amount allocated hereunder to reflect the inclusion in the total cost of items (for example, capitalized acquisition costs) not included in the amount so allocated, (ii) the amount realized by Seller may differ from the total amount allocated hereunder to reflect transaction costs that reduce the amount realized for federal income tax purposes, and (iii) neither Seller or any of its Affiliates nor Buyer or any of its Affiliates will be obligated to litigate any challenge to such allocation of the Aggregate Purchase Price by a Governmental Entity.  Seller and Buyer will promptly inform one another of any challenge by any Governmental Entity to any allocation made pursuant to this Section 7.3(i)  and agree to consult and keep one another informed with respect to the status of, and any discussion, proposal or submission with respect to, such challenge. Within 15 days after the later of (i) Buyer’s written receipt of the Tax Make-up Amount from Seller, and (ii) the final determination of the Tax Make-up Amount by the Firm, if any, Buyer shall pay the Tax Make-up Amount to the Seller Parties.

 

7.4                                Press Release; Confidentiality .

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise required by applicable Law (including, without limitation, pursuant to disclosure requirements under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), no news release or other public announcement pertaining to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement will be made without the prior written approval of the other Party, in its sole discretion.  Except as otherwise required by applicable Law or court process or as may be reasonably required to file Seller Parties’ tax returns, each Party shall keep confidential this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the terms of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and neither Buyer, Seller nor any Seller Party shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case without the written consent of the other Party.  After the Closing Date, except as required by applicable Law, no public release or announcement concerning the transactions contemplated hereby or other announcements to employees, independent contractors, customers or suppliers of the Company shall be issued without each Party’s prior written consent.

 

(b)                                  From the Effective Date through the Closing, the Buyer agrees to keep all Company Confidential Information confidential from all third parties, other than its representatives who

 

52



 

have a need to know such Company Confidential Information for the purpose of evaluating the transaction (the “ Buyer Representatives ”), and agrees to only use the Company Confidential Information for the evaluation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein.  Buyer shall be responsible for any breach of this representation by any Buyer Representative.  This Section 7.4(b)  shall not prohibit the disclosure by the Buyer of any information, instruments or documents it:  (A) is required to file with a Governmental Entity, (B) is compelled to disclose by judicial process, or (C) is required by applicable Law to disclose.

 

7.5                                Expenses .  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each Party shall pay all of its own costs and expenses (including attorneys’, accountants’ and investment bankers’ fees and other out-of-pocket expenses) in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder (including in connection with such Party’s efforts to satisfy the conditions to the other Party’s obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

7.6                                Further Transfers; Further Assurances .  The Company and Seller shall execute and deliver such further instruments of conveyance and transfer and take such additional action as Buyer may reasonably request to effect, consummate, confirm or evidence the transactions contemplated hereby and carry out the purposes of this Agreement. Without limitation of the foregoing, to the extent any of the closing deliveries required of the Company and the Seller Parties pursuant to Sections 2.6(u)(xi) — (xxiii)  are waived by Buyer in connection with the Closing, the Seller Parties hereby covenant and agree on a post-Closing basis, without the necessity of any further consideration and at the expense of the Seller Parties, to take any and all such other actions to cause the delivery and satisfaction of any and all such closing deliveries of the Company and the Seller Parties so waived by Buyer.

 

7.7                                Restrictive Covenants .

 

(a)                                  Non-Competition .  The Seller and each Seller Party covenant and agree that, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing (the “ Restricted Period ”), Seller and each Seller Party shall not, directly or indirectly, own any interest in, manage, control, participate in (whether as an owner, operator, manager, consultant, officer, director, employee, investor, agent, representative or otherwise), consult with, render services for or otherwise engage in any business or entity that competes with the Acquired Companies’ businesses as conducted or actively planned to be conducted during the period Seller owns Equity Interests in the Company and/or such Seller Party is engaged as an employee, consultant or independent contractor by an Acquired Company in any jurisdiction in which the Acquired Companies operate or actively plan to operate as of the Closing Date (the “ Restricted Business ”); provided , however , that nothing in this Section 7.7(a)  shall prevent any Seller Party from being a passive owner of not more than 5% of the outstanding equity securities of any class of a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, which class of equity securities is publicly traded, so long as Seller has no active participation in the business of such corporation, partnership or limited liability company.

 

(b)                                  Non-Solicitation .  The Seller and each Seller Party covenant and agree that, during the Restricted Period Seller and such Seller Party shall not, directly or indirectly, (i)(x) induce or attempt to induce any employee or independent contractor of the Acquired Companies to leave the employ of the Acquired Companies or any of their Affiliates; provided that generalized advertisement of employment opportunities including in trade or industry publications (not focused specifically on or directed in any way at the employees or an employee of the Acquired Companies) shall not be deemed to cause a breach of this Section  7.7(b)(i)(x) , (y) actually hire any employee or independent contractor employed by the Acquired Companies or any of their Affiliates at any time during the period beginning

 

53



 

on the Effective Date and ending on the expiration of the Restricted Period, or (z) in any way interfere with the relationship between the Acquired Companies or any of their Affiliates and any of its employees and independent contractors; (ii) solicit or induce or attempt to solicit or induce any customer, supplier, licensor, licensee, lessor or other business relation of the Acquired Companies or any of their Affiliates (or any prospective customer, supplier, licensor, licensee, lessor or other Person with which the Acquired Companies have entertained discussions regarding a prospective business relationship) (each, a “ Business Relation ”) to cease or refrain from doing business with, or otherwise modify adversely its relationship with the Acquired Companies any of their Affiliates; (iii) enter into any relationship involving the Restricted Business with any Business Relation or in any way interfere with the relationship (or prospective relationship) between any Business Relation and the Acquired Companies or any of their Affiliates; or (iv) make any negative or disparaging statements or communications about the Acquired Companies or any of their Affiliates or any of their respective direct or indirect stockholders, directors, members, managers, officers, employees, independent contractors, representatives and attorneys.

 

(c)                                   Enforcement .  If, at the time of enforcement of any of the provisions of this Section 7.7 , a court determines that the restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under the circumstances then existing, then the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area.  The Parties further agree that such court shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope or geographical area permitted by Law.

 

(d)                                  Remedies .  The Seller and each Seller Party acknowledge and agree that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of this Section 7.7 and that, in such event, the Company and/or its successors or assigns shall, in addition to any other rights and remedies existing in their favor, be entitled to seek specific performance, injunctive and/or other relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of this Section 7.7 (including the extension of the Restricted Period by a period equal to the length of the court proceedings necessary to stop such violation), provided that Seller and such Seller Party is found by such court to have been in violation of the provisions of this Section 7.7 .  Any injunction shall be available without the posting of any bond or other security.  In the event of an alleged breach or violation by Seller or any Seller Party of any of the provisions of this Section 7.7 , the Restricted Period will be tolled for Seller or such Seller Party, as applicable, until such alleged breach or violation is resolved; provided , that, if Seller or such Seller Party is found to have not violated the provisions of this Agreement, then such Restricted Period will not be deemed to have been so tolled.

 

(e)                                   Acknowledgment .  The Seller and each Seller Party acknowledge and agree that (i) during the Restricted Period, the Acquired Companies and their Affiliates may be irreparably damaged if Seller and such Seller Party were to engage in any business competing with the business of the Acquired Companies in violation of Section 7.7(a)  and that any such competition by Seller or any Seller Party would result in a loss of goodwill of the Acquired Companies for which money damages would be an insufficient remedy, (ii) the value of the Acquired Companies’ and their Affiliates’ trade secrets and other Company Confidential Information arises from the fact that such information is not generally known in the marketplace, (iii) the Acquired Companies’ and their Affiliates’ trade secrets and other Company Confidential Information will have continuing vitality throughout and beyond the Restricted Period, (iv) such Seller Party has and will have sufficient knowledge of the Acquired Companies’ and their Affiliates’ trade secrets and other Company Confidential Information such that, if such Person were to compete with the Acquired Companies during the Restricted Period, such Person would inevitably rely (consciously or unconsciously) on such trade secrets and other Company Confidential Information causing irreparable harm to the Acquired Companies and their Affiliates, (v) the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 7.7 are an additional consideration of the agreements and covenants of Buyer and the Company hereunder and were a material inducement to Buyer and the Acquired

 

54



 

Companies to enter into this Agreement and to perform their obligations hereunder, and that Buyer and its Affiliates would not obtain the benefit of the bargain set forth in this Agreement as specifically negotiated by the Parties if any Seller Party breaches the provisions set forth in this Section 7.7 , (iii) the restrictions contained in this Section 7.7 are reasonable in all respects (including, with respect to subject matter, time period and geographical area) and are necessary to protect Buyer’s interest in, and the value of, the Purchased Units and the Acquired Companies (including, the goodwill inherent therein) and (iv) Seller and Seller Parties are primarily responsible for the creation of such value.

 

7.8                                Release .

 

(a)                                  Effective upon the Closing, Seller and each Seller Party (for itself, himself or herself and, as applicable, its, his or her heirs, successors, assigns, executors, affiliates, directors, officers, agents, employees, members, partners, stockholders and their respective affiliates’ directors, officers, agents, employees, members, partners, stockholders, successors and assigns) hereby irrevocably waive, release and discharge the Company and the other Buyer Indemnified Parties (and their successors and assigns) from any and all obligations and liabilities to such Person of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether in such Person’s capacity as Seller or as a Seller Party hereunder, as a member, manager or officer of an Acquired Company or otherwise (including in respect of rights of contribution or indemnification) as to facts, conditions, transactions, events or circumstances prior to the Closing, and Seller and each Seller Party shall not seek to recover any amounts in connection therewith or thereunder from Buyer, any Acquired Company and/or any other Buyer Indemnified Party (and/or any of their successor or assigns); provided , that this Section 7.8(a)  is not intended to, and shall not, affect (i) any obligations to Seller or any Seller Party for compensation or benefits to the extent fully accrued, (ii) the rights of Seller or any Seller Party under this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, or any other agreement entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, (iii) the rights of Seller or any Seller Party to indemnification from the Company under its organizational documents or any other contractual arrangement unless such claim for indemnification arises from or relates to a breach of a representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or indemnity made by the Company, Seller and/or a Seller Party under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Schedules or any certificate delivered by or on behalf of any of them with respect thereto in connection with the Closing (without regard to time limitations set forth herein).

 

(b)                                  The Seller and each Seller Party acknowledge that there is a possibility that subsequent to the date hereof, Seller or a Seller Party may discover facts or claims which were unknown or unsuspected at the time this Agreement was executed, and which, if known by Seller or such Seller Party prior to the date hereof may have materially affected Seller’s or such applicable Seller Party’s decision to execute this Agreement.  The Seller and each Seller Party acknowledge and agree that, by reason of this Agreement and the release contained in this Section 7.8 , Seller and such Seller Party are assuming any risk of such unknown facts and such unknown and unsuspected claims.

 

(c)                                   Without limiting the foregoing, Seller and each Seller Party hereby agrees that he or it shall not (and shall cause its or his Affiliates not to) make any claim for indemnification against Buyer, any Acquired Company, or any of their respective Affiliates by reason of the fact that Seller, Seller Party or any Affiliate of Seller or a Seller Party is or was a shareholder, member, partner, director, manager, officer, employee or agent of an Acquired Company or any of their Affiliates or is or was serving at the request of an Acquired Company or any of their Affiliates as a shareholder, member, partner, director, manager, officer, employee or agent of another entity (whether such claim is for judgments, damages, penalties, fines, costs, amounts paid in settlement, losses, expenses or otherwise and whether such claim is pursuant to any statute, charter document, bylaw, agreement or otherwise) with respect to any action, suit, proceeding, complaint, claim or demand brought by any Buyer Indemnified Party against Seller or a Seller Party pursuant to this Agreement, and Seller and each Seller Party (on its,

 

55



 

his or her own behalf and on behalf of its, his or her Affiliates) hereby acknowledges and agrees that he, she or it shall not have any claim or right to contribution or indemnity from the Company with respect to any amounts paid by him or her pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.

 

7.9                                Tax Treatment of Indemnity Payments .  The Seller Parties and Buyer agree to treat any indemnity payment made pursuant to this Agreement as an adjustment to the Aggregate Purchase Price for all Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

7.10                         Allocation and Payment of 2017 Employee Bonuses .  At such time as employee bonus amounts for 2017 are determined, the Seller and Buyer agree to allocate liability therefor, to the extent such liability is not factored into the Working Capital or otherwise accounted for under this Agreement, on a pro rata basis, where each party shall be responsible for its pro rata amount of the Company’s aggregate 2017 bonus liability, calculated and allocated on a percentage basis as follows: (i) with respect to Seller, based on the number of days in 2017 prior to and including the Closing Date over 365 days; and, (ii) with respect to Buyer, based on the number of days in 2017 following the Closing Date over 365 days. Promptly following receipt of evidence and notice from Buyer of Seller’s 2017 employee bonus liability, Seller shall remit a cash payment to Buyer via wire transfer.

 

7.11                         Covenants Relating to TAV .  Prior to or after the Closing Date, as applicable, the Seller Parties, at their sole cost and expense, agree to (and shall cause J&S Audiovisual Mexico and TAV and their equity owners, as applicable, to) take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, to do or cause to be done all actions necessary, proper or advisable under applicable law, and to execute such documents and other papers, as may be required to undertake, complete and perfect the following, prior to or after the Closing Date, in a form and substance acceptable to Buyer and its legal counsel:

 

(a)                                  Sale of TAV Assets . TAV and J&S Audiovisual Mexico shall enter into a binding contractual agreement to sell and transfer to J&S Audiovisual Mexico title to any and all assets currently owned by TAV that are necessary or convenient to conduct of the business of J&S Audiovisual Mexico as currently conducted, including but not limited to the assets listed on Schedule 7.11(a)  attached herein (the “ TAV Assets ”), free and clear of any liens and limitations of ownership, at a time after Closing, with the full purchase price to be paid by J&S Audiovisual Mexico to TAV prior to or at the Closing, in each case pursuant to the TAV Asset Purchase Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Schedule G (the “ TAV Asset Purchase Agreement ”).

 

(b)                                  Ownership, Maintenance and Preservation of the TAV Assets . Until such time as (i) J&S Audiovisual Mexico has purchased all the TAV Assets from TAV pursuant to the TAV Asset Purchase Agreement and (ii) TAV’s services are no longer needed by any Acquired Company, whether pursuant to the TAV Transportation Services Renewal, Transportation Services Agreement or otherwise, Seller and the Seller Parties shall cause TAV to: (i) preserve and maintain the TAV Assets in good operating condition (including payment of all taxes applicable thereto, regular maintenance and repair and maintenance of continuous insurance coverage and validity of transportation permits and plates of vehicles and trucks pursuant to applicable laws) in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices; (ii) provide the Acquired Companies with continued and constant use of the TAV Assets; and (iii) in all respects adhere to and not breach any terms or provisions of the TAV Transportation Services Renewal, Transportation Services Agreement and TAV Asset Purchase Agreement (collectively, the covenants set forth in this Section 7.11(b)  shall be referred to as the “ TAV Assets Covenant ”).

 

(c)                                   Transportation Permits . Pursuant to the terms of the TAV Asset Purchase Agreement, following the Closing, deliver to Buyers evidence that TAV has surrendered transportation permits for each of the vehicles and trucks that are part of the TAV Assets and has ceased providing public transportation services with such vehicles and trucks.

 

56



 

(d)                                  Renewal of Transportation Services Agreement . TAV and J&S Audiovisual Mexico shall renew in writing the transportation services agreement dated February 6, 2008 (the “ Transportation Services Agreement ”) by and between TAV and J&S Audiovisual Mexico (the “ TAV Transportation Services Renewal ”), pursuant to which TAV shall agree to continue providing transportation services to J&S Audiovisual Mexico under terms and conditions consistent with the Ordinary Course of Business for an indefinite term. The TAV Transportation Services Renewal shall expressly provide for an early termination right by J&S Audiovisual Mexico without incurring any liability.

 

(e)                                   Assignment of UNIFIN leasing agreements . TAV, J&S Audiovisual Mexico and UNIFIN Financiera, S.A.B. de C.V., SOFOM E.N.R. (“UNIFIN”) shall enter into an assignment agreement or other form of arrangement satisfactory to Buyers, whereby UNIFIN as lessor authorizes TAV as tenant to assign to J&S as assignee, all the leasing contracts entered into by and among them for the lease of equipment used in the business of J&S Audiovisual Mexico as currently conducted (the “ TAV/UNIFIN Assignment Agreement ”).

 

7.12                         Covenants Relating to CDI .  Prior to the Closing Date, the Seller Parties, at their sole cost and expense, agree to (and shall cause J&S Audiovisual Mexico and CDI, and their equity owners, as applicable, to) take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, to do or cause to be done all actions necessary, proper or advisable under applicable law, and to execute such documents and other papers, as may be required to undertake, complete and perfect prior to the Closing Date the following, in a form and substance acceptable to Buyer and its legal counsel:

 

(a)                                  Hire of Key Employees . Effective as of the Closing Date, J&S Audiovisual Mexico shall have hired: Messrs. Brian Hudson Barnes, Michael Thibodeau, Daniel James Lockwood, Jens Hollich and Brett J. Augustine (the “ Mexico Key Employees ”) under terms and conditions of employment satisfactory to Buyers and with seniority recognition currently enjoyed by such employee under CDI.

 

(b)                                  Termination and Release of Services Agreement . CDI and J&S Audiovisual Mexico shall enter into a termination and release agreement whereby they agree to release each other and terminate the services agreement dated February 6, 2013 entered into by and between CDI and J&S Audiovisual Mexico pursuant to which CDI has provided certain services to J&S Audiovisual Mexico (the “ CDI Termination of Services Agreement ”).

 

(c)                                   Termination and Release of Gratuitous Bailment Agreement . CDI and J&S Audiovisual Mexico shall enter into a termination and release agreement whereby they agree to release each other and terminate the gratuitous bailment agreement dated September 24, 2013 entered into by and between CDI and J&S Audiovisual Mexico pursuant to which CDI holds possession of an office space in gratuitous bailment located in in Carretera CNC — Puerto Morelos, Manzana 3, Lote 1, Edificio F, Unidad 4, Supermanzana 52, Cancun, Benito Juarez, Quintana Roo, C.P. 77500, Puerto Logístico Riviera Maya, Centro de Convenciones Lakam Center (the “ CDI Termination of the Gratuitous Bailment Agreement ”).

 

(d)                                  Liquidation of CDI . Commence steps towards the dissolution and liquidation ( disolución y liquidación ) of CDI in accordance with CDI’s current bylaws and all applicable Mexican laws (the “ CDI Liquidation ”).  Promptly after the completion of the CDI Liquidation, Seller and Seller Parties agree to deliver to Buyer original notarial documents and any other documents evidencing that the CDI Liquidation was duly consummated in accordance with CDI’s current bylaws and all applicable Mexican laws, and recorded with the corresponding Mexican Registry Public of Commerce (Registro Público de Comercio), and documents evidencing that all notices, filings and Tax Returns in connection with the CDI Liquidation were duly and timely filed with the appropriate Governmental Authorities,

 

57



 

including the cancellation of CDI’s taxpayers registry, and to deliver a commercial folio ( folio mercantil ) issued by the corresponding Mexican Registry Public of Commerce (Registro Público de Comercio), evidencing the completion of the CDI Liquidation.

 

7.13                         Covenants Relating to SIID .

 

(a)                                  Prior to the Closing Date, the Seller Parties, at their sole cost and expense, agree to (and shall cause J&S Audiovisual Mexico and SIID, and their equity owners, as applicable, to) take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, to do or cause to be done all actions necessary, proper or advisable under applicable law, and to execute such documents and other papers, as may be required to undertake, complete and perfect prior to the Closing Date the following, in a form and substance acceptable to Buyer and its legal counsel:

 

(b)                                  Renewal of the Services Agreement .  SIID and J&S Audiovisual Mexico shall have renewed in writing the personnel services agreement dated January 1, 2015 entered into by and between SIID and J&S Audiovisual Mexico (the “ SIID Personnel Services Renewal ”), pursuant to which SIID shall continue providing personnel services to J&S Audiovisual Mexico under terms and conditions consistent with the Ordinary Course of Business for an indefinite term. The SIID Personnel Services Renewal shall expressly provide for an early termination right by J&S Audiovisual Mexico without incurring any liability.

 

(c)                                   Termination and Release by Woodson, S.A. de C.V.   SIID and the third party-vendor Woodson shall enter into a termination and release agreement whereby they agree to terminate the services agreement dated January 9, 2016 entered into by and between SIID and Woodson pursuant to which Woodson has provided certain personnel services to SIID, and to release each other as well as J&S Audiovisual Mexico (the “ Woodson Termination Agreement ”).

 

7.14                         Covenants Relating to J&S Audio Visual DR. Seller shall timely and fully pay to Dominican Republic tax authorities all Taxes due and payable by Seller resulting from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, capital gain Taxes resulting from this Agreement or the Restructuring.  No later than 120 days after J&S Audio Visual DR’s fiscal year-end, Seller should deliver to Buyer corresponding Dominican Republic annual corporate tax return (IR-2 form), including its annexes and tax payment receipts. Seller shall also deliver the Capital Gain Tax payment receipt ( recibo de pago ) issued by the Dominican Republic Tax authorities, as a result of the transaction contemplated under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

TERMINATION

 

8.1                                Termination .  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing:

 

(a)                                  by mutual written consent of Buyer and Seller;

 

(b)                                  by Buyer, if there has been a breach in any material respect on the part of the Company, Parent, Seller or any Seller Party, or by Seller, if there has been a breach in any material respect on the part of Buyer, of the representations and warranties or covenants (which in the case of any breach of covenant has not been cured within thirty calendar days after written notification thereof by the Party wishing to terminate (the “ Terminating Party ”) to the breaching Party) of the breaching Party set forth in this Agreement, in either case to the extent such breach would cause a condition to the Terminating Party’s obligation to close not to be satisfied, or if events have occurred which have made it

 

58



 

impossible to satisfy a condition precedent to the Terminating Party’s obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, unless such Terminating Party’s breach of this Agreement has caused the condition to be unsatisfied; and

 

(c)                                   by either Seller or Buyer, if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before September 30, 2017 (the “ Outside Date ”); provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this ARTICLE VIII shall not be available (i) to Buyer, if the failure of Buyer to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement shall have been the cause of the failure of the Closing to occur on or prior to such date, or (ii) to Seller, if the failure by Seller or a Seller Party to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement shall have been the cause of the failure of the Closing to occur on or prior to such date

 

8.2                                Effect of Termination .  In the event of termination of this Agreement by either Buyer or Seller as provided in Section 8.1 , this Agreement will be void, and there will be no Liability hereunder on the part of any Party, except for the provisions set forth in Section 7.4 , Section 7.5 and this Section 8.2 which shall remain in full force and effect, and except that nothing herein will relieve any Party from any Liability resulting or arising from any breach of this Agreement prior to such termination.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1                                Amendment and Waiver .  No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Buyer, the Company and Seller (on behalf of Seller Parties).  No waiver by any Party of any default, breach of representation or warranty or breach of covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, shall be deemed to extend to any other, prior or subsequent default or breach or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any other, prior or subsequent such occurrence.

 

9.2                                Notices .  All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered, sent by fax or email (with hard copy to follow) or sent by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid), or (b) three calendar days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested.  Unless another address is specified in writing, notices, demands and communications to the Company, Buyer and Seller shall be sent to the addresses indicated below:

 

Notices to Seller :

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

 

PT Intermediate, LLC

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

c/o J&S Audio Visual

1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 4100

9450 N. Royal Lane, Suite 150

Dallas, Texas 75201

Irving, TX 75063

Attn: J. Kenneth Menges Jr., P.C.

Email: monroej@jsav.com

Email: kmenges@akingump.com

Attn: Monroe Jost

 

 

 

Notices to Buyer or, after the Closing, the Company:

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice ):

 

 

PT Holdco, LLC

Dwyer Murphy Calvert LLP

c/o AHA Service Management, LLC

1301 W. 25th St, Suite 560

14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100

Austin, Texas 78705

Dallas, Texas 75254

Telecopy No. (512) 610-1133

 

59



 

Attn: General Counsel

Attn:                     Drew S. Calvert

Email:             dbrooks@ashfordinc.com

Email:             dcalvert@dmc-law.com

 

9.3                                Assignment .  This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, except that neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by the Company, Seller or Buyer (including by operation of law) without the prior written consent of Buyer.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer may, without the consent of any Person, assign in whole or in part its rights and obligations pursuant to this Agreement to one or more of its Affiliates, to any purchaser of all or any portion of the assets of Buyer, in connection with a sale of the Company or to any of Buyer’s or its Affiliates’ financing sources or lender(s) as collateral security.

 

9.4                                Severability .  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable law in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.  Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

9.5                                Interpretation .  The headings and captions used in this Agreement and the table of contents to this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule attached hereto and not otherwise defined therein shall have the meanings set forth in this Agreement.  The use of the word “including” herein shall mean “including without limitation”.  The Parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein shall have independent significance (i.e., if any party has breached any warranty or covenant contained herein (or is otherwise entitled to indemnification) in any respect, the fact that there exists another warranty or covenant (including any indemnification provision) relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached (or is not otherwise entitled to indemnification with respect thereto) shall not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first warranty or covenant (or is otherwise entitled to indemnification pursuant to a different provision).  Except where otherwise expressly provided, all amounts in this Agreement are stated and shall be paid in United States currency.  Buyer, the Company and Seller and their respective counsel have reviewed, negotiated and adopted this Agreement as the joint agreement and understanding of the parties, and the language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any Person.  The Recitals shall be incorporated in all respects herein.  The Parties agree that prior drafts of this Agreement shall be deemed not to provide any evidence as to the meaning of any provision hereof or the intent of the Parties with respect hereto.

 

9.6                                Schedules .  All Schedules attached hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein and shall be organized in Sections and subsections corresponding to the Section and subsections contained this Agreement and any information disclosed therein under any Section or subsection of the Schedules shall be deemed disclosed and incorporated into any other Section or subsection of the Schedules only if there is a specific cross-reference or to the extent that the relevance of such disclosure to such other Section or subsection of the Schedules is reasonably apparent on the face of the disclosure contained therein that such disclosure is applicable.

 

60



 

9.7                                Entire Agreement .  This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and all other agreements and documents referred to herein contain the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to such subject matter in any way, provided that the covenants contained in Section 7.7 shall not supersede any similar covenants contained in any other agreement between any Seller Party and Seller or the Company, but instead shall coexist with any such similar covenants.

 

9.8                                Counterparts; Electronic Delivery .  This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement.  This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar reproduction of such signed writing using a facsimile machine or attachment to electronic mail shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person.  At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties.  No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

9.9                                Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction .  The law of the state of Delaware shall govern (i) all claims or matters related to or arising from this Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims), and (ii) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforceability of this Agreement, and the performance of the obligations imposed by this Agreement, in each case without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the state of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the state of Delaware.  EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND/OR THE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PARTIES HEREUNDER.  Each of the Parties submits to the jurisdiction of the State of Delaware and the Federal District Court for the District of Delaware in any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and agrees that all claims in respect of the Proceeding shall be heard and determined in any such court. Each Party also agrees not to bring any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court.  Nothing in this Section 9.9 , however, shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or at equity. Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Proceeding so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law or at equity.

 

9.10                         Specific Performance .  Seller and each Seller Party acknowledges and agrees that Buyer may be damaged irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise are breached.  Accordingly, Seller and each Seller Party agrees that Buyer and the Company may be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state thereof having jurisdiction

 

61



 

over the parties and the matter (subject to the provisions set forth in Section 9.9 ), in addition to any other remedy to which Buyer may be entitled, at law or in equity.

 

9.11                         No Third-Party Beneficiaries .  This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give any Person, other than the Parties and such permitted assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder (other than in respect of Buyer Indemnified Parties pursuant to Section 7.2 ).

 

*                                          *                                          *                                          *                                          *

 

62



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have duly executed this Unit Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

BUYER:

 

 

 

PT HOLDCO, LLC

 

 

 

By: AHA Service Management, LLC, Manager

 

 

 

By: Ashford Advisors, Inc., its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David Brooks

 

Name:

David Brooks

 

Title:

Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

COMPANY:

 

 

 

PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC .

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Monroe Jost

 

Name:

Monroe Jost

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

SELLER PARTIES :

 

 

 

/s/ Monroe Jost

 

MONROE JOST

 

 

 

/s/ Kevin Jost

 

KEVIN JOST

 

 

 

/s/ Todd Jost

 

TODD JOST

 


Exhibit 10.1

 

GRAPHIC

 



 

GRAPHIC

 



 

GRAPHIC

 



 

GRAPHIC

 



 

GRAPHIC

 



 

GRAPHIC

 



 

GRAPHIC

 



 

GRAPHIC

 



 

GRAPHIC

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

FORM OF VOTING AGREEMENT

 

THIS VOTING AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of [     ], 2017, by and among Ashford Inc. (“ Ashford ”), PT Intermediate, LLC , a Texas limited liability company (“ Seller ”), Presentation Technologies Holdings, Inc. , a Delaware corporation, Monroe Jost , Kevin Jost and Todd Jost (together with Presentation Technologies Holdings, Inc., Monroe Jost and Kevin Jost the “ Potential Transferees ,” and together with Ashford and Seller, the “ Parties ”).

 

RECITALS :

 

WHEREAS , Seller, PT Holdco, LLC (the “ Buyer ”), Presentation Technologies, LLC (the “ Company ”), Monroe Jost, Kevin Jost and Todd Jost entered into that certain Unit Purchase Agreement dated July 25, 2017 pursuant to which the Buyer purchased from Seller 85% of the outstanding units of membership interest of the Company (the “ Unit Sale ”);

 

WHEREAS , as part of the consideration paid by Buyer to Seller in the Unit Sale, Buyer issued to Seller [   ] shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 (the “ Common Stock ”), of Ashford (such shares of Common Stock and any other voting security of Ashford or its affiliates for which such shares are traded or exchanged or split, combined, or converted into, the “ Purchase Price Consideration ”);

 

WHEREAS , in connection with the Unit Sale, the Buyer and the Seller will enter into that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, pursuant to which the Buyer may, pursuant to certain conditions, purchase some or all of the outstanding units of membership interest of the Company owned by the Seller, which purchase may be paid, in whole or in part, by issuance of Common Stock (such shares of Common Stock and any other voting security of Ashford or its affiliates for which such shares are traded or exchanged or split, combined, or converted into, the “ Put/Call Consideration ”);

 

WHEREAS , as a condition to the issuance of the Common Stock as partial consideration for the Unit Sale, Seller must agree to the terms of this Agreement with Ashford;

 

WHEREAS , the Potential Transferees are the current and past direct and indirect owners of Seller; and

 

WHEREAS , Seller may transfer the Common Stock to the Potential Transferees.

 

AGREEMENT :

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of and reliance upon the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Certain Definitions .    As used in this Agreement: (i) the term “ Beneficial Owner ” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the

 



 

Exchange Act ”), except that a Person will also be deemed to beneficially own (A) all securities of Ashford which such Person has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of any rights in connection with the Purchase Price Consideration or the Put/Call Consideration, regardless of when such rights may be exercised and whether they are conditional, and (B) all securities of Ashford constituting the Purchase Price Consideration or the Put/Call Consideration in which such Person has any economic interest, including, without limitation, pursuant to a cash settled call option or other derivative security, contract or instrument in any way related to the price of any securities of Ashford constituting the Purchase Price Consideration or the Put/Call Consideration (and the term “ Beneficially Own ” shall have a correlative meaning); and (ii) the terms “ Person ” or “ Persons ” shall mean any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, labor union or chapter or other division thereof, organization or other entity of any kind or nature.

 

2.                                       Voting Agreement .

 

(a)                                  Seller and each Potential Transferee agree that, from the date of this Agreement and at any time Seller or any Potential Transferee Beneficially Owns any share of Common Stock or other security constituting the Purchase Price Consideration or the Put/Call Consideration (the “ Restricted Period ”), neither it nor any of its “ Affiliates ” or “ Associates ” (as such terms are defined in the Securities Exchange Act) under its control will, and it will cause each of its Affiliates and Associates under its control not to, directly or indirectly, in any manner, alone or in concert with others, with respect to Ashford, deposit any shares of such Common Stock or such other security in any voting trust or subject any shares of such Common Stock or such other security to any arrangement or agreement with respect to the voting of any such shares of Common Stock or such other security , other than any such voting trust, arrangement or agreement solely among the members of Seller or the Potential Transferees and otherwise in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  During the applicable Restricted Period for any share of Common Stock or other security constituting the Purchase Price Consideration or the Put/Call Consideration, with respect to such share of Common Stock or other such security Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by Seller or its Affiliates or any Potential Transferee or their Affiliates, and over which Seller or any Potential Transferee has the right to vote as of the record date for any meeting of the stockholders or action by written consent of Ashford, Seller and each such Potential Transferee shall cause such security to be present for quorum purposes and shall vote such security (A) in favor of each director nominated and recommended by the board of directors of Ashford for election at any such meeting or action by consent, (B) against any stockholder nominations for director or purported stockholder nominations for director which are not approved and recommended by the board of directors of Ashford for election at any such meeting or action by consent and (C) in accordance with the recommendation of Ashford’s board of directors with respect to Ashford’s “say-on-pay” proposal and any other proposal or stockholder proposal presented at any such meeting of stockholders or action by consent.

 

3.                                       Representations of Ashford .  Ashford represents and warrants as follows: (a) Ashford has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement has

 

2



 

been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by Ashford, constitutes a valid and binding obligation and agreement of Ashford and is enforceable against Ashford in accordance with its terms; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Ashford does not and will not (i) violate or conflict with any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to Ashford or (ii) result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both could constitute such breach, violation or default) under or pursuant to, or result in the loss of a material benefit under, or give any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any organizational document, agreement, contract, commitment, understanding or arrangement to which Ashford is a party or by which it is bound.

 

4.                                       Representations of Seller .  Seller represents and warrants as follows: (a) it has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by Seller, constitutes a valid and binding obligation and agreement of Seller and is enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms; (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Seller does not and will not (i) violate or conflict with any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to Seller or (ii) result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both could constitute such breach, violation or default) under or pursuant to, or result in the loss of a material benefit under, or give any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any organizational document, agreement, contract, commitment, understanding or arrangement to which Seller is a party or by which it is bound; and (d)  Schedule I hereto sets forth the securities of Ashford constituting the Purchase Price Consideration as of the date of this Agreement.

 

5.                                       Representations of the Potential Transferees .  Each Potential Transferee represents and warrants as follows: (a) it has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by such Potential Transferee, constitutes a valid and binding obligation and agreement of such Potential Transferee and is enforceable against such Potential Transferee in accordance with its terms; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Potential Transferee does not and will not (i) violate or conflict with any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to such Potential Transferee or (ii) result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both could constitute such breach, violation or default) under or pursuant to, or result in the loss of a material benefit under, or give any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any organizational document, agreement, contract, commitment, understanding or arrangement to which such Potential Transferee is a party or by which it is bound.

 

6.                                       Miscellaneous .  Seller and each Potential Transferee agree that irreparable harm would occur in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that such harm would not be adequately compensable in monetary damages, and Seller and each Potential Transferee hereby admits that the existence of such a violation alone shall constitute irreparable harm.  Accordingly, Ashford shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically

 

3



 

the terms and provisions of this Agreement in addition to any other remedies at law or in equity.  Seller and each Potential Transferee agrees to waive any bonding or security requirement under any applicable law in connection with obtaining an injunction and Seller and each Potential Transferee (a) consents to submit to the personal jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Dallas, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, any state court sitting in Dallas County in the State of Texas, in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) agrees that it shall not attempt to challenge, deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction or venue in such court (including in reliance on the doctrine of forum non conveniens ) by motion or other request for leave from any such court, (c) agrees that it shall not bring any action relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than the United States District Court for the Northern District of Dallas, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, any state court sitting in Dallas County in the State of Texas, and (d) irrevocably consents to service of process by a reputable overnight mail delivery service, signature requested, to the address set forth in Section 8 hereof.  Any litigation arising from or relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Dallas, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, any state court sitting in Dallas County in the State of Texas.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED IN ALL RESPECTS, INCLUDING VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND EFFECT, BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS EXECUTED AND TO BE PERFORMED WHOLLY WITHIN SUCH STATE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE.  THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT THEY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY DISPUTES BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

7.                                       Entire Agreement; Amendment .  This Agreement, together with the schedules and exhibits hereto, contains the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior and contemporaneous agreements, memoranda, arrangements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be amended only by an agreement in writing executed by the Parties hereto, and no waiver of compliance with any provision or condition of this Agreement and no consent provided for in this Agreement shall be effective unless evidenced by a written instrument executed by the Party against whom such waiver or consent is to be effective.  No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

8.                                       Termination .  This Agreement shall terminated and be of no further effect at such time as neither the Seller nor any Potential Transferee Beneficially Owns any of the Purchase Price Consideration or the Put/Call Consideration.

 

9.                                       Notices .  All notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals and other communications provided for herein and all legal process in regard hereto shall be in writing and

 

4



 

shall be deemed validly given, made or served, if delivered in person or sent by overnight courier, when actually received during normal business hours at the address specified below:

 

If to Seller:

 

PT Intermediate, LLC

c/o J&S Audio Visual

9150 N. Royal Lane, Suite 150

Irving, Texas 75063

Email: monroej@jsav.com

Attn: Monroe Jost

 

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 4100

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attn: J. Kenneth Menges Jr., P.C.

 

Email:  kmenges@akingump.com

 

If to Ashford:

 

Ashford Inc.

14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100

Dallas, Texas 75254
Attn: General Counsel

 

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Dwyer Murphy Calvert LLP
1301 W. 25th St, Suite 560
Austin, Texas 78705
Telecopy No. (512) 610-1133

Attn:                     Drew S. Calvert
Email:             dcalvert@dmc-law.com

 

If to a Potential Transferee, at its address set forth below its signature hereto, or at such other address or addresses as may have been furnished to the other Parties in writing.

 

10.                                Severability .  If at any time subsequent to the date hereof, any provision of this Agreement shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, such provision shall be of no force and effect, but the illegality or unenforceability of such provision shall have no effect upon the legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

 

5



 

11.                                Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts either manually or by electronic or digital signature (including by facsimile or electronic mail transmission), each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute a single binding agreement on the Parties, notwithstanding that not all Parties are signatories to the same counterpart.

 

12.                                No Third Party Beneficiaries; Assignment . This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and is not binding upon or enforceable by any other Persons.  Neither Seller nor any Potential Transferee may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Ashford, and any attempted assignment in contravention hereof shall be null and void.  Ashford may not assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Seller, and any attempted assignment in contravention hereof shall be null and void.

 

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

6



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have duly executed and delivered this Agreement to each other as of the date first above written in the Preamble hereof.

 

 

ASHFORD:

 

 

 

 

 

ASHFORD INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

David A. Brooks

 

 

Title:

Chief Operating Officer

 

[ Signature Page to Voting Agreement ]

 



 

 

SELLER:

 

 

 

 

 

PT INTERMEDIATE, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

[ Signature Page to Voting Agreement ]

 



 

 

POTENTIAL TRANSFEREES:

 

 

 

 

 

PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONROE JOST

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEVIN JOST

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TODD JOST

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ Signature Page to Voting Agreement ]

 


Exhibit 99.2

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

 

a Delaware limited liability company

 

[       ], 2017

 

 

 



 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

2

1.1

Definitions

2

1.2

Construction

2

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2 ORGANIZATION

2

2.1

Formation

2

2.2

Name

2

2.3

Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices

2

2.4

Purposes

2

2.5

Foreign Qualification

2

2.6

Term

3

2.7

No State Law Partnership

3

2.8

Title to Company Assets

3

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS; UNITS; MEMBERS

3

3.1

Membership Interests.

3

3.2

Issuance of Series A Units to PT Intermediate; Sale of Series A Units by PT Intermediate to PT Holdco

3

3.3

Members

4

3.4

No Other Persons Deemed Members

4

3.5

No Resignation

4

3.6

Admission of Additional Members and Substituted Members and Creation of Additional Units

4

3.7

No Liability of Members

5

3.8

Spouses of Members

5

3.9

Certificates Representing Units.

5

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

6

4.1

Representations and Warranties of Members

6

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

7

5.1

Initial Contributions

7

5.2

Additional Commitments

7

 

i



 

5.3

Return of Contributions

7

5.4

Capital Account

7

5.5

Advances by Members

8

5.6

Modifications

8

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6 DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

8

6.1

Distributions

8

6.2

Allocations of Profits and Losses

9

6.3

Income Tax Allocations

12

6.4

Other Allocation Rules

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7 TRANSFER OF UNITS; PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

12

7.1

Restrictions On Dispositions

12

7.2

Permitted Dispositions

13

7.3

Right of First Refusal on Series A Units

14

7.4

Drag-Along Rights

16

7.5

Tag-Along Rights

18

7.6

Substituted Members and Additional Members

20

7.7

Grant of Preemptive Rights

20

7.8

Preemptive Right Procedures

21

7.9

Specific Performance

22

7.10

Termination Following Qualified Public Offering

22

7.11

Put Right of PT Intermediate; Call Right of PT Holdco

22

7.12

Redemption Right Upon Death of Kevin Jost.

26

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8 MANAGEMENT

27

8.1

Management Under Direction of the Board

27

8.2

Board of Managers

27

8.3

Officers

30

8.4

Members

30

8.5

[Reserved]

30

8.6

Acknowledgement Regarding Outside Businesses and Opportunities

30

8.7

Acknowledgement and Release Relating to Matters Requiring Member Approval

31

8.8

Amendment, Modification or Repeal

32

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

32

9.1

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of the Covered Persons

32

9.2

Advance of Expenses

34

9.3

Procedure for Indemnification

34

9.4

Contract Right; Non-Exclusivity; Survival

35

9.5

Insurance

35

9.6

Interpretation; Severability

35

 

ii



 

ARTICLE 10 CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND MEMBERS

35

10.1

Maintenance of Books

35

10.2

Financial Reports and Access to Information

36

10.3

Annual Budget

36

10.4

Accounts

36

10.5

Information

36

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11 TAXES

37

11.1

Tax Returns

37

11.2

Tax Partnership

37

11.3

Tax Elections

37

11.4

Tax Matters Member

38

 

 

 

ARTICLE 12 DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP AND TERMINATION

40

12.1

Dissolution

40

12.2

Winding-Up and Termination

40

12.3

Deficit Capital Accounts

41

12.4

Certificate of Dissolution

41

 

 

 

ARTICLE 13 GENERAL PROVISIONS

41

13.1

Offset

41

13.2

Notices

41

13.3

Entire Agreement; Supersedure

42

13.4

Effect of Waiver or Consent

42

13.5

Amendment or Restatement

43

13.6

Binding Effect

43

13.7

Governing Law; Severability; Limitation of Liability

43

13.8

Further Assurances

44

13.9

Counterparts

44

 

 

 

EXHIBITS:

 

 

A

Defined Terms

 

B

Certificate of Formation

 

C

Spousal Agreement

 

D

Addendum Agreement

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES:

 

 

I

Series A Unitholders

 

II

Initial Board of Managers and Board Observer

 

 

iii



 

THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES ACTS IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS UNDER THOSE ACTS.  THE SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE UNITS IS PROHIBITED UNLESS SUCH SALE OR DISPOSITION IS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL SUCH APPLICABLE ACTS.  ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION AND OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE UNITS ARE SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) of Presentation Technologies, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), dated as of [      ], 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), is adopted, executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by the Members (as defined below).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on [         ], 2017 (the “ Formation Date ”), as a result of the conversion of Presentation Technologies, Inc. into the Company pursuant to a Certificate of Conversion filed with the Delaware Secretary of State.  Presentation Technologies Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ PT Holdings ”), was admitted to the Company as the initial Member (the “ Original Member ”), effective as of the Formation Date;

 

WHEREAS, the Original Member entered into the Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of the Company dated effective as of [         ], 2017 (the “ Original Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Original Member transferred 100% of its membership interests in the Company to PT Intermediate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ PT Intermediate ”) on [     ], 2017 such that PT Intermediate became the sole member of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, PT Holdco acquired a membership interest in the Company from PT Intermediate pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement (as defined below and as described in Section 3.2) such that PT Holdco became a member of the Company as of [     ], 2017; and

 

WHEREAS, the undersigned members of the Company desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement pursuant to this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Original Agreement is hereby restated and superseded in its entirety by this Agreement; and further

 

RESOLVED, for good and valuable consideration, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

1



 

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

 

1.1                                Definitions .  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto) but not defined in the body hereof are defined in Exhibit A .

 

1.2                                Construction .  Unless the context requires otherwise:  (a) pronouns in the masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa; (b) the term “including” shall be construed to be expansive rather than limiting in nature and to mean “including, without limitation;” (c) the term “days” shall mean calendar days except where otherwise noted; (d) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (e) the words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole, including the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto, and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited; and (f) references to Exhibits and Schedules are to the items identified separately in writing by the parties hereto as the described Exhibits or Schedules attached to this Agreement, each of which is hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes as if set forth in full herein.

 

ARTICLE 2
ORGANIZATION

 

2.1                                Formation .  The Company was organized as a Delaware limited liability company under and pursuant to the DLLCA by the filing of the Certificate of Formation attached hereto as Exhibit B .

 

2.2                                Name .  The name of the Company is “ PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC ” and all Company business must be conducted in that name or such other name or names that comply with Law and as the Board may select.  The Board shall give prompt notice to all Members of any change in the name of the Company.

 

2.3                                Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices .  The registered office of the Company required by the DLLCA to be maintained in Delaware shall be the office of the initial registered agent named in the initial report filed with the state or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Board may designate in the manner provided by Law.  The registered agent of the Company in Delaware shall be the initial registered agent named in the initial report filed with the state or such other Person or Persons as the Board may designate in the manner provided by Law.  The principal office of the Company shall be at such place as the Board may designate.  The Company may have such other offices as the Board may designate.

 

2.4                                Purposes .  The purposes of the Company are to, directly or through direct or indirect Subsidiaries, (a) engage in the business of providing products and services related to audio/visual communications solutions, event design, media production, theme creation, scenic design, show and event services, equipment rental and/or audio/visual technology consulting (the “ Business ”), (b) engage in any other business or activity that now or in the future may be incidental, related to, necessary, proper, or advisable to accomplish the foregoing purpose and that is not forbidden by the Law of the jurisdiction in which the Company engages in that business or activity and (c) to carry on any lawful business or activity as permitted by the Law of the jurisdiction in which the Company engages in that business or activity.

 

2.5                                Foreign Qualification .  Prior to or promptly after the Company begins conducting business in any jurisdiction other than Delaware, the Board shall cause the Company to comply, to the

 

2



 

extent procedures are available and those matters are reasonably within the control of the Board, with all requirements necessary to qualify the Company as a foreign limited liability company in that jurisdiction if such qualification is required.  At the request of the Board, each Member shall execute, acknowledge, swear to and deliver all certificates and other instruments conforming with this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify, continue and terminate (as applicable) the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all such jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business; provided , that no Member shall be required to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity in any jurisdiction in which it is not already so qualified.

 

2.6                                Term .  The Company commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Formation with the Delaware Secretary of State and shall have a perpetual existence, unless and until it is dissolved and terminated in accordance with Article 12.

 

2.7                                No State Law Partnership .  The Members intend that the Company not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, for any purposes other than federal and state tax purposes, and this Agreement may not be construed to suggest otherwise.

 

2.8                                Title to Company Assets .  Title to the Company’s assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be held in the name of the Company as an entity and shall not be held by any nominee.

 

ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS; UNITS; MEMBERS

 

3.1                                Membership Interests .

 

(a)                                  The Membership Interests shall initially consist of one series of units referred to as “ Series A Units ”. The Company is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 Series A Units.  All issuances of Membership Interests by the Company shall be reflected by the issuance of units.

 

(b)                                  The Series A Units shall be voting units and shall have the voting rights set forth in this Agreement but shall not have management participation rights.

 

(c)                                   Units shall constitute “ securities ” governed by Article 8 of the applicable version of the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended from time to time after the date hereof.

 

(d)                                  Units that have been redeemed by or forfeited to the Company may be reissued subject to the requisite approvals and other terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

3.2                                Issuance of Series A Units to PT Intermediate; Sale of Series A Units by PT Intermediate to PT Holdco .  Prior to the Effective Date, PT Intermediate made capital contributions to and was the 100% owner of the Company (represented by the ownership of 1,000,000 Series A Units).  On the Effective Date, PT Intermediate sold 850,000 Series A Units to PT Holdco pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement by and among PT Intermediate, PT Holdco, PT Holdings, Monroe Jost, Kevin Jost, Todd Jost and Presentation Technologies, Inc. (the “ Unit Purchase Agreement ”), and as a result PT Intermediate’s ownership interest in the Company is represented by 150,000 Series A Units and PT Holdco’s ownership in the Company is represented by 850,000 Series A Units, each as reflected on Schedule I .  On the

 

3



 

Effective Date, Kevin Jost and Monroe Jost are the two-third and one-third economic and beneficial owners, respectively, of PT Intermediate.

 

3.3                                Members .  Each of the Persons listed on Schedule I is hereby admitted to the Company as a Member (each, an “ Initial Member ”).  A Member will cease to be a Member only in the manner described in Section 7.6 and Article 12.  The Officers shall amend and revise Schedule I from time to time to properly reflect any changes to the information set forth therein, including to reflect the admission or withdrawal of Members.  Any amendment or revision to Schedule I to the Company’s records to reflect information regarding Members shall not be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement.

 

3.4                                No Other Persons Deemed Members .  Unless admitted to the Company as a Member as provided in this Agreement, no Person shall be, or shall be considered, a Member.  The Company may elect to deal only with Persons so admitted as Members (including their duly authorized representatives).  Any distribution by the Company to the Person shown on the Company’s records as a Member or to its legal representatives shall relieve the Company of all liability to any other Person who may have an interest in such distribution by reason of any Disposition by the Member or for any other reason.

 

3.5                                No Resignation .  A Member may not take any action to Resign as a Member voluntarily, and a Member may not be removed involuntarily, prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company, other than as a result of a permitted Disposition of all of such Member’s Units in accordance with Article 7 and each of the transferees of such Units being admitted as a Substituted Member.

 

3.6                                Admission of Additional Members and Substituted Members and Creation of Additional Units .

 

(a)                                  Authority .  Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article 3 and in Article 7, the Company may admit Additional Members and Substituted Members to the Company, issue additional Units or create and issue such additional classes or series of Units (or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for a Unit), having such designations, preferences and relative, participating or other special rights, powers and duties as the Board shall determine, including:  (i) the right of any such class or series of Units to share in the Company’s distributions; (ii) the allocation to any such class or series of Units of Profits (and all items included in the computation thereof) or Losses (and all items included in the computation thereof); (iii) the rights of any such class or series of Units upon dissolution or liquidation of the Company; and (iv) the right of any such class or series of Units to vote on matters relating to the Company and this Agreement (any of the foregoing, “ Additional Securities ”).  Upon the issuance pursuant to and in accordance with this Article 3 of any Additional Securities, the Board may, subject to Section 13.5, amend any provision of this Agreement to reflect the admission of any Additional Member to the Company or the authorization and issuance of any Additional Securities, including the related rights and preferences thereof.  The Board may authorize any Person to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record, if required, such documents to the extent necessary or desirable to reflect the admission of any Additional Member to the Company or the authorization and issuance of any Additional Securities, and the related rights and preferences thereof.

 

(b)                                  Conditions .  No Additional Member or Substituted Member shall be admitted to the Company unless and until all the conditions of Article 7 are satisfied, and such prospective Additional Member or Substituted Member executes and delivers to the Company the documentation contemplated by Section 7.6.

 

4



 

3.7                                No Liability of Members .  Except as otherwise provided under the DLLCA, the debts, liabilities, contracts and other obligations of the Company (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise) shall be solely the debts, liabilities, contracts and other obligations of the Company, and no Member shall be liable personally (a) for any debts, liabilities, contracts or any other obligations of the Company, except to the extent and under the circumstances set forth in the DLLCA or in any separate written instrument signed by the applicable Member, or (b) for any debts, liabilities, contracts or other obligations of any other Member.    No Member shall have any responsibility, during the term of the Company or upon dissolution or liquidation thereof, to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account or to contribute to or in respect of the liabilities or obligations of the Company or to return distributions made by the Company, expect as expressly provided herein or required by the DLLCA.  However, if any court of competent jurisdiction orders, holds or determines that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Member is obligated to restore any such negative balance, make any such contribution or make any such return, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Member and not of any other Person.

 

3.8                                Spouses of Members .  Spouses of the Members that are natural persons do not become Members (and are not Members) as a result of such marital relationship or as a result of any community property interest in any Units.  Each spouse of a Member (including the Initial Members) shall be required to execute a Spousal Agreement in the form of Exhibit C to evidence his or her agreement and consent to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement as to his or her interest, whether as community property or otherwise, if any, in the Units owned by such Member.

 

3.9                                Certificates Representing Units .

 

(a)                                  The Board shall issue certificates to Members representing the Units held by such Member.

 

(b)                                  In addition to any other legend required by applicable Law, all certificates representing issued and outstanding Units shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

 

THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AN AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT AMONG THE COMPANY AND ITS MEMBERS, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE COMPANY. NO TRANSFER, SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE MADE EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT.

 

THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE

 

5



 

UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS, OR (B) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER.

 

ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

4.1                                Representations and Warranties of Members .  Each Member severally, but not jointly, represents and warrants as of the Effective Date to the Company and the other Members that:

 

(a)                                  Authority .  Each such Member that is a corporation or a limited liability company or a partnership is an entity duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and the execution, delivery, and performance by such Member of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership action, as applicable.  Each such Member that is an individual is an individual with full legal capacity under the laws of his jurisdiction of domicile and has the capacity to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Member.

 

(b)                                  Binding Obligations .  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Member and constitutes the binding obligation of such Member enforceable against such Member in accordance with its respective terms, subject to Creditors’ Rights.

 

(c)                                   No Conflict .  As of the Execution Date, the execution, delivery and performance by such Member of this Agreement will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, (i) violate any provision of Law to which such Member is subject, (ii) violate any order, judgment or decree applicable to such Member, or (iii) conflict with, or result in a breach or default under, any term or condition of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws, certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement, certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement, as applicable, in each case, except where such violation, conflict, breach or default would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have an adverse effect on such Member’s ability to satisfy its obligations hereunder.

 

(d)                                  Purchase Entirely For Own Account .  The Units to be acquired by such Member will be acquired for investment for such Member’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof; such Member has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same; and such Member does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to any of the Units.

 

(e)                                   No Registration .  Such Member understands that the Units, at the time of issuance, will not be registered under the Securities Act on the ground that the issuance of Units hereunder is exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof.

 

(f)                                    Investment Experience .  Such Member confirms that such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such Member is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Units and of making an informed investment decision and understands that (i) this investment is suitable only for an investor which is able to bear the economic consequences of losing its entire investment, (ii) the acquisition of Units hereunder is a speculative investment which involves a high degree of risk of loss of the entire investment, and (iii) there are

 

6



 

substantial restrictions on the transferability of, and there will be no public market for, the Units, and, accordingly, it may not be possible for such Member to liquidate such Member’s investment in case of emergency.

 

(g)                                   Accredited Investor .  Such Member is an Accredited Investor.

 

(h)                                  Restricted Securities .  Such Member understands that the Units may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom, and that in the absence of either an effective registration statement covering such Units or an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, the Units must be held indefinitely.  In particular, such Member is aware that the Units may not be sold pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (“ Rule 144 ”) unless all of the conditions of that Rule are met.  Among the conditions for use of Rule 144 may be availability of current information to the public about the Company.  Such information is not now available and the Company has no present plans to make such information available.

 

(i)                                      Non-Reliance .  No promise, agreement, statement or representation that is not expressly set forth in this Agreement or in any other agreement by and among any of the Company, the Members or their respective Affiliates has been made to such Member by any other Member or any other Member’s Affiliates, counsel, agent, or any other interested Person with respect to the terms set forth in this Agreement, and such Member is not relying upon any such promise, agreement, statement, or representation of any other Member or any other Member’s Affiliates, counsel, agent, or any other interested Person.  Such Member is relying upon its own judgment and due diligence and has been represented by legal counsel in this matter.

 

ARTICLE 5
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

5.1                                Initial Contributions .  On the Effective Date, each of PT Intermediate and PT Holdco is treated as making a Capital Contribution equal to the amounts set forth on Schedule I .

 

5.2                                Additional Commitments .  No Member will have any obligation to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Company.  Any future Capital Contributions made by any Member shall only be made with the consent of the Board and in connection with an issuance of Units made in compliance with Sections 7.7 and 7.8.

 

5.3                                Return of Contributions .  Unless otherwise specifically stated herein, a Member is not entitled to the return of any part of its Capital Contributions,  to be paid interest in respect of either its Capital Account or its Capital Contributions or to withdraw any part of its Capital Account or to receive any distribution from the Company, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.  An unrepaid Capital Contribution is not a liability of the Company or of any Member.  A Member is not required to contribute or to lend any cash or property to the Company to enable the Company to return any Member’s Capital Contributions.

 

5.4                                Capital Account .  A Capital Account shall be established and maintained by the Company for each Member.  Thereafter, each Member’s Capital Account (a) shall be increased by (i) the amount of money contributed by such Member to the Company, (ii) the Book Value of property contributed by such Member to the Company (net of liabilities secured by the contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take subject to under Code Section 752) (iii) allocations to such

 

7



 

Member of Profits and any other items of income or gain allocated to such Member and (iv) the amount of liabilities of the Company that are assumed by such Member (but not in duplication of liabilities assumed or covered by clause (b)(ii) below), and (b) shall be decreased by (i) the amount of money distributed to such Member by the Company, (ii) the Book Value of property distributed to such Member by the Company (net of liabilities secured by the distributed property that such Member is considered to assume or take subject to under Code Section 752), (iii) allocations to such Member of Losses and any other items of loss or deduction allocated to such Member and (iv) the amount of liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company (but not in duplication of liabilities assumed or covered by clause (a)(ii) above).  On the transfer of all or part of a Member’s Units, the Capital Account of the transferor that is attributable to the transferred Units shall carry over to the transferee Member in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l).  A Member that has more than one class of Units shall have a single Capital Account that reflects all such Units; provided, however , that the Capital Accounts shall be maintained in such manner as will facilitate a determination of the portion of each Capital Account attributable to each series of Units.

 

5.5                                Advances by Members .  If the Company does not have sufficient cash to pay its obligations, then with the approval of the Board, any or all of the Members may (but will have no obligation to) advance all or part of the needed funds to or on behalf of the Company, which advances (a) will constitute a loan from such Member to the Company, (b) will bear interest at competitive commercial rates and be subject to such other terms and conditions as agreed between such Member and the Company and (c) will not be deemed to be a Capital Contribution by such Member to the Company.

 

5.6                                Modifications .  The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. If the Board determines that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any increases or decreases to the Capital Accounts, are computed in order to comply with such Treasury Regulations, the Board may authorize such modifications.

 

ARTICLE 6
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

 

6.1                                Distributions .

 

(a)                                  Each distribution made by the Company, regardless of the source or character of the assets to be distributed, shall be made in accordance with this Article 6 and applicable Law.

 

(b)                                  Prior to making distributions pursuant to Section 6.1(c) (other than by reference to Section 6.1(c) in Section 12.2), on each Tax Distribution Date, the Board shall distribute to each Member in cash an amount equal to such Member’s Assumed Tax Liability, if any. “ Tax Distribution Date ” means any date that is five business days prior to the date on which estimated U.S. federal income tax payments are required to be made by calendar year individual taxpayers and each due date for the U.S. federal income tax return of an individual calendar year taxpayer (without regard to extensions).  “ Assumed Tax Liability ” of any Member means an amount equal to (a) the cumulative amount of federal, state and local income taxes (including any applicable estimated taxes) that would be due from such Member with respect to the estimated tax payment period or year previously ended as of such Tax Distribution Date, assuming such Member (i) was an individual subject to tax at the highest marginal tax

 

8



 

rate for an individual resident in Dallas, Texas, or such other jurisdiction as may be determined by the Board, and (ii) earned solely the items of income, gain, deduction, loss, and/or credit allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 6.3 and after taking proper account of loss carryforwards available to individual taxpayers resulting from losses allocated to the Members by the Company, reduced by (b) all previous distributions made pursuant to this Section 6.1(b); provided , however , that allocation of items of income or gain to PT Intermediate pursuant to Section 6.3(b) shall not be taken into account for the purposes of this Section 6.1(b).  All distributions to any Member pursuant to this Section 6.1(b) shall reduce distributions required to be made to such Member pursuant to Section 6.1(c), so that the cumulative amount distributable to each of the Members pursuant to this Agreement will be, as nearly as possible, the same as if no distributions had been made pursuant to this Section 6.1(b).

 

(c)                                   The Board shall have sole discretion to determine the timing of any other distribution and the aggregate amounts of Available Cash for such distribution.  Each distribution made by the Company, regardless of the source or character of the assets to be distributed, shall be made and distributed to the holders of Series A Units pro rata based on their respective Series A Percentage Interests.

 

(d)                                  All distributions made under this Section 6.1 shall be made to the holders of record of the applicable Units on the record date established by the Board or, in the absence of any such record date, to the holders of the applicable Units on the date of the distribution.

 

(e)                                   The Company is authorized to withhold from distributions, or with respect to allocations, to the holders of Units and to pay over to any federal, state, local or foreign government any amounts required to be so withheld pursuant to the Code or any provisions of any applicable Law.  For all purposes under this Agreement, any amount so withheld shall be treated as actually distributed to the holder with respect to which such amount was withheld.

 

6.2                                Allocations of Profits and Losses .

 

(a)                                  General Profit and Loss Allocations .  Subject to Sections 6.2(b), (c),  (d) and (e) below, Profits and Losses, if any, for each Fiscal Year or other period shall be allocated among the Members, solely for federal and state income tax purposes, in a manner such that if the Company were dissolved on the last day of such period, its affairs wound up, its assets sold at a value equal to their Book Value, the sale proceeds distributed to the Members in accordance with their respective Capital Account balances immediately after making such allocations (including the allocations set forth in Section 6.2(b)) and after taking into account distributions and contributions made during such period, such allocations would cause, as nearly as possible, each Member’s Capital Account to equal the distributions that would be made to such Members pursuant to Section 12.2(c)(iii) minus such Member’s share of Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets.  To the extent necessary to produce results described in this Section 6.2, items of income and gain may be allocated separately from items of loss, deduction and credit.

 

(b)                                  Special Allocations .  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 6.2, the following special allocations shall be made for each taxable period:

 

(i)                                Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.2, if there is a net decrease in Minimum Gain during any taxable period, each Member shall be allocated items of Company income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts

 

9



 

provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), (g)(2) and (j)(2)(i).  For purposes of this Section 6.2(b), each Member’s Capital Account shall be determined and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.2 with respect to such taxable period.  This Section 6.2(b)(i) is intended to comply with the Membership minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(ii)                                   Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.2 (other than (i) above), if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any taxable period, any Member with a share of Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Company income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and (j)(2)(ii).  For purposes of this Section 6.2(b) each Member’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income and gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.2, other than Section 6.2(b)(i) above, with respect to such taxable period.  This Section 6.2(b)(ii) is intended to comply with the Member nonrecourse debt minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(iii)                                Except as provided in Sections 6.2(b)(i) and 6.2(b)(ii) above, in the event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of Company income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by such Treasury Regulation, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.2(c)(iii) shall be made only if and to the extent that the Member would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.2(c)(iii) were not in the Agreement.

 

(iv)                               In the event any Member has a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of any taxable period, such Member shall be specially allocated items of Company gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, however , that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.2(b)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided in this Section 6.2(b) have been tentatively made as if Section 6.2(b)(iii) and this Section 6.2(b)(iv) were not in this Agreement.

 

(v)                                  Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Series A Units pro rata based on their respective Series A Percentage Interests.

 

(vi)                               Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Member that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i).  If more than one Member bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Member Nonrecourse Debt, Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Members in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.

 

10



 

(vii)                            To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Members in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such provisions.

 

(viii)                         If the amount of Losses for any taxable period that would otherwise be allocated to a Member under Section 6.2(a) would cause or increase a deficit balance in the Adjusted Capital Account of such Member as of the last day of such taxable period, then a proportionate part of such Losses, equal to such excess shall be allocated to the other Members, and the remainder of such Losses, if any, shall be allocated to such Member.

 

(c)                                   Curative Allocation .  The allocations set forth in Section 6.2(b) (the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Treasury Regulations. It is the intent of the Members that, to the extent possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall be offset either with other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction pursuant to this Section 6.2(c). Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 6 (other than the Regulatory Allocations), but subject to the Code and the Treasury Regulations, the Board shall make such offsetting special allocations of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction in whatever manner it determines appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each Member’s Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account balance such Member would have had if the Regulatory Allocations were not part of the Agreement. In exercising its discretion under this Section 6.2(c), the Board shall take into account future Regulatory Allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Regulatory Allocations previously made.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 6.2 (other than the Regulatory Allocations), in the year in which a Liquidation Event occurs and all subsequent years (and for any prior years with respect to which the due date (without regard to extensions) for the filing of the Company’s federal income tax return has not passed as of the date of the Liquidation Event), all items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Company, including gross items, shall be allocated among the Members in a manner reasonably determined by the Board as shall cause to the nearest extent possible the Capital Account of each Member to equal the amount to be distributed to such Member pursuant to Section 12.2(c)

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2, the Board may cause the Company to allocate Profits and Losses among the Members in a manner different from that set forth above to the extent the Board determines that doing so is consistent with (i) the Members’ interests in the Company as set forth in this Agreement and (ii) the requirements of Treasury Regulation 1.704-2; provided , nothing in this Section 6.2(e) shall impact the distribution provisions set forth in Section 6.1(c), provided , further , that no such allocation will be made without the prior consent of each Member that would be adversely and disproportionately affected thereby; and provided, further , that no such allocation shall have any material effect on the amounts distributable to any Member, including the amounts to be distributed upon the complete liquidation of the Company.

 

11



 

6.3                                Income Tax Allocations .

 

(a)                                  Except as provided in this Section 6.3, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Company for federal income tax purposes shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as such items are allocated for book purposes under Section 6.2.

 

(b)                                  The Members recognize that there may be a difference between the Book Value of a Company asset and the asset’s adjusted tax basis at the time of the property’s contribution or revaluation pursuant to this Agreement.  In such a case, all items of tax depreciation, cost recovery, amortization, and gain or loss with respect to such asset shall be allocated among the Members to take into account the disparities between the Book Values and the adjusted tax basis with respect to such properties in accordance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations under those sections.  The Board shall make any elections or other decisions relating to such allocations.

 

(c)                                   All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocated to the Members in accordance with the provisions hereof and basis allocations recognized by the Company for federal income tax purposes shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Company; provided, however , such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted as necessary or appropriate to take into account the adjustments permitted by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

 

(d)                                  If any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or depletion are recaptured as ordinary income upon the sale or other disposition of Company properties, the ordinary income character of the gain from such sale or disposition shall be allocated among the Members in the same ratio as the deductions giving rise to such ordinary income character were allocated.

 

6.4                                Other Allocation Rules .  All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to Units that may have been transferred shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee based on the portion of the calendar year during which each was recognized as the owner of such Units, without regard to the results of Company operations during any particular portion of that calendar year and without regard to whether cash distributions were made to the transferor or the transferee during that calendar year; provided, however , that this allocation must be made in accordance with a method permissible under Code Section 706 and the regulations thereunder.  If any Units are Disposed of or redeemed in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, all distributions with respect to which the record date is before the date of such Disposition or redemption shall be made to the Disposing Member, and all distributions with respect to which the record date is after the date of such Disposition, in the case of a Disposition other than a redemption, shall be made to the transferee.

 

ARTICLE 7
TRANSFER OF UNITS; PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

 

7.1                                Restrictions On Dispositions .

 

(a)                                  Disposition of Units otherwise permitted or required by this Agreement may only be made in compliance with federal and state securities laws, including the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the DLLCA.

 

12



 

(b)                                  For so long as the Company is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in no event may any Disposition of any Units by any Member be made if such Disposition is effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code or if such Disposition would otherwise result in the Company being treated as a “publicly traded partnership,” as such term is defined in Section 7704(b) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, or if such Disposition would otherwise result in the Company losing its status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

(c)                                   For as long as the Company is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company shall monitor Dispositions of Units in the Company to determine (i) if such Units are being traded on an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code, and (ii) whether additional Dispositions of Units would result in the Company being unable to qualify for at least one of the “safe harbors” set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1 (or such other guidance subsequently published by the Internal Revenue Service setting forth safe harbors under which Units will not be treated as “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code) (the “ Safe Harbors ”).  The Officers shall take all steps as instructed by the Board to prevent any trading of Units or any recognition by the Company of Dispositions made on such markets and, except as otherwise provided herein, to ensure that at least one of the Safe Harbors is met.

 

(d)                                  Dispositions of Units may only be made in strict compliance with all applicable terms of this Agreement, and any purported Disposition of Units that does not so comply with all applicable provisions of this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect, and the Company shall not recognize or be bound by any such purported Disposition and shall not effect any such purported Disposition on the transfer books of the Company or Capital Accounts of the Members.  The Members agree that the restrictions contained in this Article 7 are fair and reasonable and in the best interests of the Company and the Members.

 

7.2                                Permitted Dispositions .

 

(a)                                  Following approval by the Board, any holder of any Series A Units may Dispose of such Series A Units to any Person, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.3, 7.5 and 7.6; provided , that PT Intermediate may not make any Disposition of Series A Units during the pendency of an Ashford Indemnification Claim.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.2(a), a Member may not make a Disposition of Units to a Permitted Transferee if such Disposition has as a purpose for the avoidance of or is otherwise undertaken in contemplation of avoiding the restrictions on Dispositions in this Agreement (it being understood that the purpose of this Section 7.2(b) is to prohibit the Disposition of Units to a Permitted Transferee followed by a change in the relationship between the transferor and the Permitted Transferee (or a change of control of such transferor or Permitted Transferee) after the Disposition with the result and effect that the transferor has indirectly made a Disposition of Units by using a Permitted Transferee, which Disposition would not have been directly permitted under this Section 7.2 had such change in such relationship occurred prior to such Disposition).

 

(c)                                   PT Holdco’s prior written consent shall be required prior to (i) the issuance by PT Intermediate or PT Holdings of any membership interests, units, capital stock or other ownership interests of PT Intermediate or PT Holdings, respectively (collectively, “ Parent Equity Interests ”) and

 

13



 

(ii) the Disposition of any outstanding Parent Equity Interests by any holder of Parent Equity Interests.  PT Intermediate covenants and agrees that it shall revise its operating agreement, and shall cause PT Holdings to revise its bylaws to reflect the provisions of this Section 7.2(c).

 

7.3                                Right of First Refusal on Series A Units .

 

(a)                                  If any holder of Series A Units (each, an “ Offeror ”) proposes to Dispose of all or any portion of such Offeror’s Series A Units in a bona fide Disposition to one or more Third Parties (other than to a Permitted Transferee or pursuant to the Redemption Right set forth in Section 7.12) pursuant to an offer from such Third Party or Parties (a “ Third Party Offer ”) and such Offeror is permitted to effect such proposed Disposition pursuant to Section 7.1, then such Offeror shall deliver written notice of such Third Party Offer (the “ Notice of Right of First Refusal ”) to the Company no less than 30 days prior to the date of the proposed Disposition.  The date that the Notice of Right of First Refusal is received by the Company shall constitute the “ First Refusal Notice Date .”  Within five days after receipt of the Notice of Right of First Refusal by the Company, the Company shall send a copy of the Notice of Right of First Refusal along with a letter indicating the First Refusal Notice Date to the Members holding Series A Units (each, an “ Offeree ”).  The Notice of Right of First Refusal shall set forth the name of the Third Party (including information about the identity of the Third Party), the number of Series A Units, as applicable, proposed by the Offeror to be Disposed of (the “ Offered Units ”), the price per Unit for the Offered Units (the “ Offer Price ”), all details of the payment terms, all other terms and conditions of the proposed Disposition and the name and address of each other Offeree.  A Third Party Offer may not contain provisions related to any property of the Offeror other than the Series A Units held by such Offeror, and the Offer Price shall be expressed only in terms of cash (in U.S. dollars).  Any proposed Disposition of Series A Units not satisfying the terms of this Section 7.3 may not be made unless otherwise expressly permitted pursuant to the provisions of this Article 7.

 

(b)                                  Each Offeree shall have the right to purchase up to that number of the Offered Units equal to the product of (i) the number of Offered Units and (ii) a fraction (the “ Proportionate Share ”), the numerator of which shall be the number of Series A Units, as applicable, of such Offeree and the denominator of which shall be all of the Series A Units held by all Offerees other than any Series A Units held by the Offeror.  Within 20 days after the First Refusal Notice Date, each Offeree may deliver a written irrevocable notice to the Offeror, the Secretary of the Company and each other Offeree of its election to purchase such Offered Units (each Offeree who so elects to purchase, a “ Purchasing Member ”).  To the extent any such Purchasing Member does not elect to purchase its full Proportionate Share of such Offered Units or fails to deliver a notice within the applicable period, each Purchasing Member that has elected to purchase its full Proportionate Share shall be entitled, by delivering written notice to the Offeror and the Secretary of the Company within five days following the end of such 20 day period (such fifth day, the “ Offer Expiration Date ”), to purchase up to all of the remaining Offered Units.  If there is an oversubscription, the oversubscribed amount shall be allocated among the Purchasing Members fully exercising their rights to purchase such remaining Offered Units pro rata based on the number of Series A Units owned by each fully-electing Purchasing Member.  The delivery of a notice of election under this Section 7.3 shall constitute an irrevocable commitment to purchase such Offered Units.  If the Purchasing Members shall have elected to purchase all but not less than all of the Offered Units, the Company shall thereafter set a reasonable place and time for the closing of the purchase and sale of the Offered Units, which shall be not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the First Refusal Notice Date (subject to extension to the extent necessary to pursue any required regulatory approvals) and, at that time, the Purchasing Members shall pay to the Offeror the Offer Price, paid by

 

14



 

wiring same day funds upon the instructions of the Offeror against delivery to such Purchasing Members of the Offered Units, as applicable.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Offerees shall not have elected to purchase all of the Offered Units on or prior to the Offer Expiration Date, the Company (with approval of the Board) shall have the irrevocable and exclusive option to purchase all the Offered Units not elected to be purchased by the Offerees.  Within 10 days after the expiration of the Offer Expiration Date (the “ Company Offer Expiration Date ”), the Company shall deliver a written notice to the Offeror and each other Member of its election to purchase such Offered Units.  Such notice shall constitute an irrevocable commitment to purchase all of the remaining Offered Units.  If the Purchasing Members shall have elected to purchase less than all of the Offered Units and the Company elected to purchase all, but not less than all, of the remaining Offered Units, the Company shall set a reasonable place and time for the closing of the purchase and sale of the Offered Units, which shall be not less than 40 days nor more than 70 days after the First Refusal Notice Date (subject to extension to the extent necessary to pursue any required regulatory approvals) and, at that time, the Purchasing Members and the Company, as applicable, shall pay to the Offeror the Offer Price, paid by wiring same day funds upon the instructions of the Offeror against delivery to such Purchasing Members and the Company, as applicable, of the Offered Units, as applicable.

 

(d)                                  To the extent that the Offerees shall not have elected to purchase all or part of the Offered Units on or prior to the Offer Expiration and the Company shall have failed to elect to purchase all of the remaining Offered Units within the Company Offer Expiration Date, the Offered Units or any portion thereof may be sold by the Offeror at any time within 90 days after the Company Offer Expiration Date (subject to extension to the extent necessary to pursue any required regulatory approvals), subject to the provisions of Section 7.1 hereof.  Any such sale shall not be at less than the price or upon terms and conditions more favorable, individually or in the aggregate, to the purchaser than those specified in the applicable Third Party Offer. If any such Offered Units are not so transferred within such 90 day period, the Offeror may not sell any of the Offered Units without again complying in full with the provisions of this Section 7.3; provided, however , that all such Dispositions would remain subject to Section 7.5.  For the purposes of clarity, in the event the terms of a Third Party Offer change at any time following the delivery of the Notice of Right of First Refusal to the Company and/or the Offerees, in such a way that the terms and conditions are more favorable, individually or in the aggregate, to the purchaser, then the Offeror shall be required to (i) deliver a new Notice of Right of First Refusal to the Company pursuant to Section 7.3(a) setting forth the revised terms of such Third Party Offer and (ii) restart the required procedure and time periods set forth in Sections 7.3(a), (b), (c) and (d) hereof.

 

(e)                                   The purchase price and terms and conditions for the purchase of the Offered Units by the Purchasing Member(s) and/or the Company pursuant to this Section 7.3 shall be the price and terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Third Party Offer; provided , that the Offeror shall at a minimum make customary representations and warranties concerning (i) such Offeror’s valid ownership of the Offered Units, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances (excluding those arising under applicable securities laws), (ii) such Offeror’s authority, power and right to enter into and consummate the sale of the Offered Units, (iii) the absence of any violation, default or acceleration of any agreement to which such Offeror is subject or by which its assets are bound as a result of the agreement to sell and the sale of the Offered Units, (iv) the absence of, or compliance with, any governmental or Third Party consents, approvals, filings or notifications required to be obtained or made by such Offeror in connection with the sale of the Offered Units and (v) compliance by such Offeror with applicable laws.  The Offeror also agrees to execute and deliver such instruments and documents and take such actions, including

 

15



 

obtaining all applicable approvals and consents and making all applicable notifications and filings, as the Purchasing Members and/or the Company may reasonably request in order to more effectively implement the purchase and sale of the Offered Units hereunder.

 

7.4                                Drag-Along Rights .

 

(a)                                  At any time, the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Series A Units may propose and approve a Drag-Along Transaction (all such holders collectively, the “ Selling Member ”) and require all other Members (each, a “ Non-Selling Member ”) to sell all or part of their Units in accordance with this Section 7.4. The Selling Member shall exercise its rights pursuant to this Section 7.4 by delivering a written notice (the “ Drag-Along Notice ”) to the Company and each other Member no later than 20 days prior to the closing date of such Drag-Along Transaction. The Drag-Along Notice shall make reference to the Selling Member’s rights and obligations hereunder and shall describe the Drag-Along Transaction in reasonable detail, and shall include a copy of (i) a draft of the proposed definitive agreement to be entered into with respect to the Drag-Along Transaction and (ii) a copy of any form of agreement proposed to be executed by the Non-Selling Members in connection therewith. The Selling Member shall have 90 days following the date of the Drag-Along Notice in which to consummate the Drag-Along Transaction, on the terms set forth in the Drag-Along Notice (which such 90 day period may be extended for a reasonable time not to exceed 120 days to the extent reasonably necessary to obtain any regulatory approvals). If at the end of such period the Selling Member has not completed the Drag-Along Transaction, the Selling Member may not then effect a Drag-Along Transaction without again fully complying with the provisions of this Section 7.4.

 

(b)                                  In connection with any such Drag-Along Transaction, all Members entitled to consent thereto shall consent to and raise no objections against the Drag-Along Transaction, and if the Drag-Along Transaction is structured as (i) a merger, conversion, Unit exchange or consolidation of the Company, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, each Member entitled to vote thereon shall vote in favor of the Drag-Along Transaction and shall waive any appraisal rights or similar rights in connection with such merger, conversion, Unit exchange, consolidation or asset sale, or (ii) a sale of all the Units, each Member shall agree to sell all his or its Units that are designated to be subject to the Drag-Along Transaction, on the terms and conditions of such Drag-Along Transaction (other than as otherwise set forth in this Section 7.4).  The Members shall promptly take all necessary and desirable actions in connection with the consummation of the Drag-Along Transaction, including the execution of such agreements and such instruments and other actions reasonably necessary to (A) provide customary representations, warranties, indemnities, and escrow/holdback arrangements relating to such Drag-Along Transaction (subject to Sections 7.4(c)(iii) and 7.4(c)(v) below), in each case to the extent that each other Member, including the Selling Member, is similarly obligated, and (B) effectuate the allocation and distribution of the aggregate consideration upon the Drag-Along Transaction as set forth in Section 7.4(c) below.  The Members shall be permitted to sell their Units pursuant to any Drag-Along Transaction without complying with Section 7.3 and Section 7.5.

 

(c)                                   The obligations of the Members pursuant to this Section 7.4 are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(i)                                      Upon the consummation of the Drag-Along Transaction, each Member shall receive the same proportion of the aggregate consideration from such Drag-Along Transaction that such Member would have received if such aggregate consideration had been distributed by the Company in complete liquidation pursuant to the rights and preferences set forth in Section 6.1 as in effect

 

16



 

immediately prior to such Drag-Along Transaction, and if a Member receives consideration from such Drag-Along Transaction in a manner other than as contemplated by such rights and preferences or in excess of the amount to which such Member is entitled in accordance with such rights and preferences, then such Member shall take such action as is necessary so that such consideration shall be immediately reallocated among and distributed to the Members in accordance with such rights and preferences;

 

(ii)                                   if any holder of a series of Units is given an option as to the form and amount of consideration to be received, all Members shall be given the same option;

 

(iii)                                if PTI Intermediate or any Permitted Transferee, successor or assign of PTI Intermediate is a Non-Selling Member, as part of or condition to a Drag-Along Transaction, such Non-Selling Member (including its direct or indirect parents and any other equity holder of such Non-Selling Member or its direct or indirect parents), shall not be subjected to a non-competition covenant surviving past the date that is five years from the Effective Date; provided , however , that any officers, directors, managers, employees, independent contractors or consultants of such Non-Selling Member shall be required to honor any then applicable non-competition, non-solicitation, non-interference or any other covenants contained in their employment or other agreements with the Company;

 

(iv)                               the Company shall bear the reasonable, documented costs incurred in connection with any Drag-Along Transaction (costs incurred by or on behalf of any Member for its sole benefit will not be considered costs of the transaction hereunder) unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the acquiror, in which case no Member shall be obligated to make any out-of-pocket expenditure prior to the consummation of the Drag-Along Transaction (excluding modest expenditures for postage, copies, and the like) and no Member shall be obligated to pay any portion (or, if paid, shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company for that portion paid) that is more than its pro rata share (based upon the amount of consideration received) of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a consummated Drag-Along Transaction;

 

(v)                                  no Member shall be required to provide any representations, warranties or indemnities (other than pursuant to an escrow or holdback of consideration proportionate to the amount receivable under this Section 7.4) in connection with the Drag-Along Transaction, other than customary (including with respect to qualifications) representations, warranties and indemnities concerning (A) each Member’s valid ownership of Units, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances (excluding those arising under applicable securities laws), (B) each Member’s authority, power and right to enter into and consummate such Drag-Along Transaction without causing a material violation of any other agreement to which such Member is a party or to which its assets are bound, and (C) compliance with applicable Laws, and provided , further , that all representations, warranties and indemnities (including those pursuant to an escrow or holdback of consideration proportionate to the amount receivable under this Section 7.4) shall be made by each Member severally and not jointly;

 

(vi)                               any indemnification or escrow or holdback obligation of the Members shall be pro rata based on the consideration received by such Member, and no Member shall be obligated in respect of any indemnity obligations in such Drag-Along Transaction for an aggregate amount in excess of the total consideration payable to such Member in such Drag-Along Transaction; and

 

(vii)                            if some or all of the consideration received in connection with the Drag-Along Transaction is other than cash, then such consideration shall be deemed to have a dollar value

 

17



 

equal to the fair market value of such consideration as determined by the Board in its reasonable judgment.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.4, if the consideration proposed to be paid to the Members in a Drag-Along Transaction includes securities with respect to which no registration statement covering the issuance of such securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act, then each of the Members that is not then an Accredited Investor may be required (notwithstanding Section 7.4(c)(ii)), at the request and election of the Members that are pursuing a Drag-Along Transaction, to (i) appoint a purchaser representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) reasonably acceptable to such Members or (ii) accept cash in lieu of any securities such Member would otherwise receive in an amount equal to the fair market value of such securities as determined in the manner set forth in Section 7.4(c)(vii).

 

(e)                                   Members holding an amount of Series A Units sufficient to propose a Drag-Along Transaction shall have the right in connection with any such transaction (or in connection with the investigation or consideration of any such potential transaction) to require the Company to cooperate fully with potential acquirors in such prospective Drag-Along Transaction by taking all customary and other actions reasonably requested by such Members or such potential acquirors, including making the Company’s properties, books and records, and other assets reasonably available for inspection by such potential acquirors, establishing a data room including materials customarily made available to potential acquirors in connection with such processes and making its employees reasonably available for interviews and other diligence activities, in each case subject to reasonable and customary confidentiality provisions.

 

7.5                                Tag-Along Rights .

 

(a)                                  If any holder of Series A Units (each, a “ Tag Offeror ”) desires to Dispose of all or any portion of its Series A Units in a bona fide Disposition to one or more Third Parties (each, a “ Tag Transferee ”, and the transaction, a “ Tag-Along Transaction ”) pursuant to an offer from such Tag Transferee(s) (a “ Third Party Tag Offer ”) and such Tag Offeror is permitted to effect such proposed Disposition pursuant to Sections 7.1 and 7.3, then such Tag Offeror(s) shall offer to include a number of Series A Units held by each other holder of Series A Units (each, a “ Tag Offeree ”) in such proposed Disposition in accordance with this Section 7.5. A Third Party Tag Offer may not contain provisions related to any property of the Tag Offeror other than Series A Units held by such Tag Offeror, and the offer price set forth in such Third Party Tag Offer shall be expressed only in terms of cash (in U.S. dollars).  Any proposed Disposition of Series A Units not satisfying the terms of this Section 7.5 may not be made unless otherwise expressly permitted pursuant to the provisions of this Article 7. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7.5 shall not be applicable to, and the Tag Offerors may Dispose of Series A Units without complying with any of the provisions of this Section 7.5 in connection with, any Disposition of Series A Units (i) to Permitted Transferees or (ii) made pursuant to a Drag-Along Transaction.

 

(b)                                  The Tag Offerors shall cause any such Third Party Tag Offer to be reduced to writing and shall send written notice of such Third Party Tag Offer (the “ Inclusion Notice ”) to each Tag Offeree promptly after receipt of the Third Party Tag Offer and, in any event, no later than 20 days prior to the closing date of such Tag-Along Transaction. The Inclusion Notice shall make reference to the Tag Offeror’s rights and obligations hereunder and shall describe the Tag-Along Transaction in reasonable detail. The Tag Offeror shall have 90 days following the date of the Tag-Along Notice in which to consummate the Tag-Along Transaction, on the terms set forth in the Tag-Along Notice (which such 90

 

18



 

day period may be extended for a reasonable time not to exceed 120 days to the extent reasonably necessary to obtain any regulatory approvals). If at the end of such period the Tag Offeror has not completed the Tag-Along Transaction, the Tag Offeror may not then effect a Tag-Along Transaction without again fully complying with the provisions of this Section 7.5.

 

(c)                                   Each Tag Offeree shall have the right (an “ Inclusion Right ”), exercisable by delivery of notice to the Tag Offerors at any time within 10 days after receipt of the Inclusion Notice to sell pursuant to such Third Party Tag Offer and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Inclusion Notice, that number of Series A Units requested to be included by such Tag Offeree; provided, however , that if the proposed Tag Transferee is unwilling to purchase all of the Series A Units requested to be included by all exercising Tag Offerees and Series A Units held by the Tag Offerors desiring to Dispose of Series A Units pursuant to this Section 7.5, then each Tag Offeree shall have the right to sell pursuant to such Third Party Tag Offer, at the offer price and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Third Party Tag Offer, a number of such Tag Offeree’s Series A Units as provided in the next succeeding sentence.  If any Tag Offeree has exercised its Inclusion Rights and the proposed Tag Transferee is unwilling to purchase all of the Series A Units proposed to be transferred by the Tag Offeror(s) and all exercising Tag Offerees (determined in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 7.5(c)) then the Tag Offeror(s) and each exercising Tag Offeree shall sell the number of Units equal to the total number of Units the Tag Transferee is willing to purchase multiplied by such Member’s Proportionate Fraction.

 

(d)                                  The Tag Offerees and such Tag Offeror(s) shall sell to the proposed Tag Transferee all, or at the option of the proposed Tag Transferee, any part of the Series A Units proposed to be Disposed of by the Tag Offerees and such Tag Offeror(s), at not less than the price and upon terms and conditions, if any, not more favorable, individually and in the aggregate, to the proposed Tag Transferee than those in the Third Party Tag Offer and the Inclusion Notice at the time (subject to extension to the extent necessary to pursue any required regulatory approvals) and place provided for the closing in the Inclusion Notice, or at such other time and place as the Tag Offerees, such Tag Offeror(s), and the proposed Tag Transferee shall agree.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.5, if the consideration proposed to be paid to the Tag Offeror(s) and the exercising Tag Offerees includes securities with respect to which no registration statement covering the issuance of such securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act, then each Tag Offeror and exercising Tag Offeree that is not then an Accredited Investor may be required, at the request and election of the Tag Offeror(s) and exercising Tag Offerees that are Accredited Investors, to (i) appoint a purchaser representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) reasonably acceptable to such Tag Offeror(s) and exercising Tag Offerees or (ii) accept cash in lieu of any securities such Tag Offeror or such exercising Tag Offeree would otherwise receive in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such securities.

 

(f)                                    The Tag Offeror(s) shall have the right in connection with any proposed transaction pursuant to this Section 7.5 (or in connection with the investigation or consideration of any such potential transaction) to require the Company to cooperate fully with potential acquirors in such prospective transaction by taking all customary and other actions reasonably requested by such Tag Offeror(s) or such potential acquirors, including making the Company’s properties, books and records, and other assets reasonably available for inspection by such potential acquirors, establishing a data room including materials customarily made available to potential acquirors in connection with such processes and making its employees reasonably available for interviews and other diligence activities, in each case

 

19



 

subject to reasonable and customary confidentiality provisions.  The Company and each holder of Units shall provide assistance with respect to these actions as reasonably requested.

 

7.6                                Substituted Members and Additional Members .

 

(a)                                  No Disposition or issuance of Units otherwise permitted or required by this Agreement shall be effective, no Member shall have the right to substitute a transferee as a Member in its place with respect to any Units acquired by such transferee in any Disposition and no purchaser of newly issued Units from the Company shall be deemed to be a Member, in each case unless and until (i) any such transferee or purchaser who is not already a party to this Agreement (and such transferee’s or such purchaser’s spouse, if applicable) shall execute and deliver to the Company an Addendum Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit D (an “ Addendum Agreement ”) and such other documents or instruments as may be required in the Company’s reasonable judgment to effect the admission, and (ii) admission of such Person has been approved by the Board.

 

(b)                                  A transferee of Units who has been admitted as a Substituted Member or a purchaser of newly issued Units from the Company who has been admitted as an Additional Member in accordance with this Section 7.6 shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities under this Agreement relating to a Member holding Units.  Unless admitted as a Substituted Member or an Additional Member, no such transferee (whether by a voluntary transfer, by operation of law or otherwise) or purchaser shall have rights hereunder.

 

(c)                                   Admission of a Substituted Member or Additional Member shall become effective on the date that is the later of (i) the date such Person’s name is recorded on the books and records of the Company, (ii) the date the Board approves admission of the Person as a Substituted or Additional Member and (iii) the date the Addendum Agreement is executed.  Upon the admission of a Substituted Member or Additional Member, (i) the Company shall amend Schedule I to reflect the name and address of, and number and class of Units held by, such Substituted Member or Additional Member and to eliminate or adjust, if necessary, the name, address and interest of the predecessor of such Substituted Member (such revisions to be presented to the Board no later than at the next regular meeting of the Board) and (ii) to the extent of the Disposition to such Substituted Member, the Disposing Member shall be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement; provided , however , the Disposing Member shall continue to be bound by and subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth in Section 10.5(b) below.  Any Member who shall Dispose of all of such Member’s Units in one or more Dispositions permitted pursuant to this Article 7 (where each transferee of such Units was admitted as a Substituted Member) shall cease to be a Member as of the last date on which all transferees of such Units are admitted as Substituted Members; provided , that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, such Member shall not be relieved of any liabilities incurred by such Member pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement prior to the time such Member Disposes of any Units or ceases to be a Member hereunder.

 

7.7                                Grant of Preemptive Rights .

 

Except for any Excluded Equity Issuance, prior to (i) the Company issuing any Units or other equity interests or options or other rights to acquire Units or other equity interests, or (ii) any Subsidiary issuing any units, shares of stock, membership interest or other ownership or equity interest, in each case whether through exchange, conversion or otherwise (collectively, “ New Equity ”) to a proposed purchaser (the “ Proposed Purchaser ”), each Eligible Purchaser shall have the right to purchase a percentage of New Equity, as provided below in Section 7.8.

 

20



 

7.8                                Preemptive Right Procedures .

 

(a)                                  The Company shall give each Eligible Purchaser at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice (the “ First Notice ”) of any proposed issuance of New Equity, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the proposed terms and conditions thereof (which shall include the identity of the Proposed Purchaser of the New Equity) and shall offer to each Eligible Purchaser the opportunity to purchase its Pro Rata Share (which Pro Rata Share shall be calculated as of the date of such notice) of the New Equity at the same price, on the same terms and conditions and at the same time as the New Equity is proposed to be issued by the Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, provided , that in the event any of such consideration is non-cash consideration, at the election of such Eligible Purchaser, such Eligible Purchaser may pay cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such non-cash consideration.  If any Eligible Purchaser wishes to exercise its preemptive rights, it must do so by delivering an irrevocable written notice to the Company within fifteen (15) days after delivery by the Company of the First Notice (the “ Election Period ”), which notice shall state the dollar amount of New Equity such Eligible Purchaser (each a “ Requesting Purchaser ”) would like to purchase up to a maximum amount equal to such Eligible Purchaser’s Pro Rata Share of the total offering amount plus the additional dollar amount of New Equity such Requesting Purchaser would like to purchase in excess of its Pro Rata Share (the “ Over-Allotment Amount ”), if any, if other Eligible Purchasers do not elect to purchase their full Pro Rata Share of the New Equity.  The rights of each Requesting Purchaser to purchase a dollar amount of New Equity in excess of each such Requesting Purchaser’s Pro Rata Share of the New Equity shall be based on the relative Pro Rata Share of the New Equity of those Requesting Purchasers desiring Over-Allotment Amounts and not based on the Requesting Purchasers’ relative Over-Allotment Amounts.

 

(b)                                  If not all of the New Equity is subscribed for by the Eligible Purchasers, the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, shall have the right, but shall not be required, to issue and sell the unsubscribed portion of the New Equity to the Proposed Purchaser at any time during the ninety (90) days following the termination of the Election Period pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the First Notice.  In the event the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, has not sold such New Equity within such time period, the Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, shall not thereafter issue or sell any New Equity without again first offering such securities to the Members in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 7.8.  The Board may not sell (or shall cause the Subsidiary not to sell) the unsubscribed portion of the New Equity on any terms materially different from the terms set forth in the First Notice.  If the terms of such proposed sale materially change, the Company shall have to again comply with this Section 7.8.  For the avoidance of doubt, material changes shall be deemed to include, but shall not be limited to, changes to the consideration for the New Equity, changes to the Proposed Purchaser, and changes to the rights of the holders of the New Equity.  The Board may, in its reasonable discretion, impose such other reasonable and customary terms and procedures such as setting a closing date, rounding the New Equity covered by this Section 7.8 to the nearest whole unit and requiring customary closing deliveries in connection with any preemptive rights offering.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at any time after the twelve-month anniversary of the First Notice with respect to each proposed issuance of New Equity pursuant to this Section 7.8, each Eligible Purchaser shall, and if necessary, the Company shall be entitled to waive, on behalf of each Eligible Purchaser, each former Eligible Purchaser and each of their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns and the members, partners, stockholders, directors, managers, officers, liquidators and employees of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Eligible Purchaser Persons ”) any and all claims such Eligible Purchaser Persons have, had or may have or had with respect to any non-compliance or violation of this Section 7.8 by any Person with respect to such

 

21



 

proposed issuance of New Equity (whether or not any New Equity was issued or sold pursuant to this Section 7.8), other than any such claim that has been made in writing and delivered to the Company prior to the expiration of such twelve-month anniversary.

 

7.9                                Specific Performance .  Each Member and the Company acknowledges that it shall be impossible to measure in money the damage to the Company or the Members, if any of them or any transferee or any legal representative of any party hereto fails to comply with any of the restrictions or obligations imposed by this Article 7, that every such restriction and obligation is material, and that in the event of any such failure, the Company or the Members shall not have an adequate remedy at law or in damages.  Therefore, each Member and the Company consents to the issuance of an injunction or the enforcement of other equitable remedies against him or it at the suit of an aggrieved party without the posting of any bond or other security, to compel specific performance of all of the terms of this Article 7 and to prevent any Disposition of Units in contravention of any terms of this Article 7.

 

7.10                         Termination Following Qualified Public Offering .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 7, the provisions of this Article 7 shall terminate and be of no further force or effect upon the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering.

 

7.11                         Put Right of PT Intermediate; Call Right of PT Holdco .

 

(a)                                  PT Intermediate will have the following Put Rights (defined below):

 

(i)                                      following the third anniversary of the Effective Date but prior to the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, PT Intermediate may at any time deliver a written notice to PT Holdco that PT Intermediate desires for PT Holdco to purchase 50,000 Series A Units owned by PT Intermediate;

 

(ii)                                   following the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, PT Intermediate may at any time deliver a written notice to PT Holdco that PT Intermediate desires for PT Holdco to purchase all (but not less than all) of the Series A Units owned by PT Intermediate at such time;

 

(iii)                                if at any time the Company’s employment of Monroe Jost is terminated by the Company other than for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement between the Company and Monroe Jost, dated as of [    ], 2017 or any similar concept under any subsequent employment or consulting agreement (any such agreement, the “ M. Jost Employment Agreement ”)), or by Monroe Jost for Good Reason (as defined in the M. Jost Employment Agreement), following such termination PT Intermediate may deliver a written notice to PT Holdco that PT Intermediate desires for PT Holdco to purchase 50,000 Series A Units owned by PT Intermediate or, if less, such amount then owned by PT Intermediate; and

 

(iv)                               if at any time the Company’s employment of Kevin Jost is terminated by the Company other than for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement between the Company and Kevin Jost, dated as of [    ], 2017 or any similar concept under any subsequent employment or consulting agreement (any such agreement, the “ K. Jost Employment Agreement ”)), or by Kevin Jost for Good Reason (as defined in the K. Jost Employment Agreement), following such termination, PT Intermediate may deliver a written notice to PT Holdco that PT Intermediate desires for PT Holdco to purchase 100,000 Series A Units owned by PT Intermediate or, if less, such amount then owned by PT Intermediate.

 

22



 

In each instance, the right of PT Intermediate under Section 7.11(a)(i) through (iv) above shall be referred to as a “ Put Right ,” any such notice delivered by PT Intermediate is a “ Put Notice ,” and PT Holdco shall be referred to as the “ Put Purchaser .” Upon the exercise of the Put Right by PT Intermediate, PT Intermediate shall be required to sell and the Put Purchaser shall be required to purchase all of PT Intermediate’s Units subject to the Put Notice (the “ Put Units ”).  The put price for the Put Units shall equal the aggregate Fair Market Value of such Units at the time the Put Right is exercised (determined as set forth in Section 7.11(f) below).  The closing of a purchase and sale with respect to a given exercise of the Put Right shall take place within ninety (90) days after PT Intermediate’s delivery of the Put Notice to the Put Purchaser. PT Intermediate may at any time following an exercise of the Put Right elect to withdraw its sale offer with respect to such exercise of the Put Right and elect not to close such sale, including without limitation following the determination of the put price pursuant to Section 7.11(f) below.  PT Holdco may freely assign its obligations as a Put Purchaser to its Affiliates or any other party. The Put Right purchase price shall be paid at closing by PT Holdco by delivery of a promissory note and an initial payment of any combination of cash and securities of Ashford Inc. or its Affiliates that are registrable, registered on an established U.S. securities exchange or freely tradeable under Rule 144 after the expiration of any applicable holding period, as set forth in Section 7.11(g) below.  PT Intermediate shall be required to make representations and warranties similar to those described in Section 7.4(c)(v) and, if applicable, representations regarding its familiarity with the requirements and limitations of Rule 144.  Each time it exercises the Put Right, PT Intermediate shall be required to represent to PT Holdco that it is not in possession of any material nonpublic information relating to the Company that is not also, to PT Intermediate’s knowledge, known by PT Holdco or its Affiliates.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, PT Intermediate will not have the right to exercise its Put Right during the pendency of any Ashford Indemnification Claim.

 

(b)                                  PT Holdco will have the following Call Rights (defined below):

 

(i)                                      following the second anniversary of the Effective Date but prior to the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, PT Holdco may deliver a written notice to PT Intermediate that PT Holdco desires to purchase up to 50,000 Series A Units owned by PT Intermediate;

 

(ii)                                   following the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, PT Holdco may deliver a written notice to PT Intermediate that PT Holdco desires to purchase up to all of the Series A Units owned by PT Intermediate at such time;

 

(iii)                                on and after the date that neither Monroe Jost nor Kevin Jost is a beneficial owner of PT Intermediate for any reason, PT Holdco may deliver a written notice to PT Intermediate that PT Holdco desires to purchase up to all of the remaining Series A Units owned by PT Intermediate at such time;

 

(iv)                               if at any time the Company’s employment of Monroe Jost is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in the M. Jost Employment Agreement), or by Monroe Jost without Good Reason (as defined in the M. Jost Employment Agreement), PT Holdco may deliver a written notice to PT Intermediate that PT Holdco desires to purchase up to 50,000 Series A Units owned by PT Intermediate; and

 

(v)                                  if at any time the Company’s employment of Kevin Jost is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in the K. Jost Employment Agreement), or by Kevin Jost without Good

 

23



 

Reason (as defined in the K. Jost Employment Agreement), PT Holdco may deliver a written notice to PT Intermediate that PT Holdco desires to purchase up to 100,000 Series A Units owned by PT Intermediate.

 

The right of PT Holdco under this Section 7.11(b) shall be referred to as the “ Call Right ,” any such notice delivered by PT Holdco is a “ Call Notice ,” and PT Intermediate shall be referred to as the “ Call Seller .” Upon each exercise of the Call Right, PT Holdco shall have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase, and the Call Seller shall be required to sell, the Call Seller’s Units described in the Call Notice (which may be all or part of such Call Seller’s Units subject to the Call Right) (in each case, the “ Called Units ”). The call price for the Called Units shall equal the aggregate Fair Market Value of such Units at the time the Call Right is exercised (determined as set forth in Section 7.11(f) below). Each closing of a purchase and sale with respect to a given exercise of the Call Right shall take place within ninety (90) days after PT Holdco’s delivery of the applicable Call Notice to the Call Seller.  PT Holdco may at any time following an exercise of the Call Right elect to withdraw its purchase offer with respect to such exercise of the Call Right and elect not to close such purchase, including without limitation following the determination of the applicable call price pursuant to Section 7.11(f) below. For purposes of clarity, there shall be no time or frequency limitations on PT Holdco’s right to exercise the Call Right. The Call Right shall be freely assignable by PT Holdco to its Affiliates or any other party. The Call Right purchase price shall be paid at closing by PT Holdco by delivery of a promissory note and an initial payment of any combination of cash and securities of Ashford Inc. or its Affiliates that are registrable, registered on an established U.S. securities exchange or freely tradeable under Rule 144 after the expiration of any applicable holding period, as set forth in Section 7.11(g).  Call Seller shall be required to make representations and warranties similar to those described in Section 7.4(c)(v), and, if applicable, representations regarding its familiarity with the requirements and limitations of Rule 144. Each time it exercises the Call Right, PT Holdco shall be required to represent to PT Intermediate that neither it, nor Ashford, nor its Affiliates is in possession of any material nonpublic information relating to the Company that is not also, to PT Holdco’s knowledge, known by PT Intermediate or its Affiliates.

 

(c)                                   PT Intermediate agrees that if PT Intermediate exercises its Put Right pursuant to Sections 7.11(a)(i) and (iii) or PT Holdco exercises its Call Right pursuant to Section 7.11(b)(iv), the proceeds of such transaction must be used to redeem all of the interests of Monroe Jost or his permitted successors and assigns in PT Intermediate and PT Holdings such that neither Monroe Jost nor his successors and assigns will be a direct or indirect owner of PT Intermediate after such redemption.  The proceeds from such transaction may not in any way be distributed to or used directly or indirectly to redeem or otherwise purchase the interests of Kevin Jost or his successors and assigns in PT Intermediate, PT Holdings or any member or owner of such entities.

 

(d)                                  PT Intermediate agrees that if PT Intermediate exercises its Put Right pursuant to Section 7.11(a)(iv) or PT Holdco exercises its Call Right pursuant to Section 7.11(b)(v), the  proceeds of such transaction must be used to redeem all of the interests of Kevin Jost or his permitted successors and assigns in PT Intermediate and PT Holdings such that neither Kevin Jost nor his successors and assigns will be a direct or indirect owner of PT Intermediate after such redemption.  The proceeds of such transaction may not in any way be distributed to or used directly or indirectly to redeem or otherwise purchase the interests of Monroe Jost or his successors and assigns in PT Intermediate, PT Holdings or any member or owner of such entities.

 

(e)                                   PT Intermediate shall not be required to assign its right to designate a Manager pursuant to Section 8.2(a) unless and until PT Intermediate (or its permitted assigns) no longer owns any Units and does not otherwise hold any Membership Interest in the Company.

 

24



 

(f)                                    For purposes of this Section 7.11, the “ Fair Market Value ” shall equal the aggregate value of the Put Units or the Called Units, as applicable, as agreed by PT Holdco and PT Intermediate following a mutual determination of the value of the Company on a going concern basis (taking into account customary business valuation metrics, including without limitation, the Company’s revenue, earnings, debts, liabilities and the relevant prevailing market multiples for similarly situated companies in the industry, but not taking into account the minority equity position of such Units); provided , however , that if PT Holdco and PT Intermediate cannot agree on the Fair Market Value of the Put Units or the Called Units, as applicable, within 15 days following delivery of the Put Notice or Call Notice, as applicable, then the Fair Market Value will be determined according to the following procedure: each party will engage, at their own cost and expense, an independent appraiser with appropriate experience in determining the valuation of privately-owned companies with similar businesses as the Business. Once selected, each independent appraiser will provide its determination of the Fair Market Value (resulting from the determination of the value of the Company), with reasonable and customary backup documents and analysis. If the two valuations provided by the designated independent appraisers are within five percent (5%) of each other, they will be averaged to determine the Fair Market Value. If they are not, either party may request that a third independent appraiser (designated with the agreement of the two independent appraisers originally engaged) be engaged to give its determination of the Fair Market Value. The cost of the third independent appraiser will be shared equally by the parties. If the third independent appraiser’s determination of the Fair Market Value falls in the range between the original two determinations of Fair Market Value, then the third independent appraiser’s determination shall be the Fair Market Value. If the third independent appraiser’s opinion of the Fair Market Value falls outside the range of the original two opinions, then the original two opinions will be averaged to determine the Fair Market Value.

 

(g)                                   The promissory note executed by PT Holdco in favor of PT Intermediate upon the exercise of a Put Right or Call Right (each, a “ Note ”), will be accompanied by an initial payment of one-third (1/3) of the applicable purchase price in cash and/or securities issued by Ashford Inc. or its Affiliates that are registrable, registered on an established U.S. securities exchange or freely tradeable under Rule 144 after the expiration of any applicable holding period.  The principal amount of the Note will be an amount equal to the unpaid portion of the applicable purchase price and shall have the following terms: (i) the initial principal amount owing on the Note shall be paid by PT Holdco in two installments over a period of two years, with the first installment being due on the date that is one year from the date of the closing of the Put Right or Call Right sale, and the remaining installment being due on the same day of the year in the succeeding year; (ii) the Note will be secured by the Put Units or Called Units for which the Note was issued and subject to subordination to any then existing senior indebtedness of the Company; (iii) any prepayment of principal by PT Holdco shall first be applied to accrued but unpaid interest, with the remainder applied to decrease the size of each remaining principal installment by an equal amount; (iv) any payment under the Note may be paid, at the election of PT Holdco, in either cash or securities of Ashford Inc. or its Affiliates that are registrable, registered on an established U.S. securities exchange or freely tradeable under Rule 144 after the expiration of any applicable holding period; and (vii) the unpaid principal balance shall bear simple interest, payable with each principal installment, at the applicable annual federal long-term rate under Section 1274(d) of the Code, adjusted to reflect such rate as in effect on the first day of each calendar quarter during the term of the Note. PT Holdco may, at its election, offset all or any portion of the purchase price upon exercise of a Put Right or Call Right, including any portion of an initial payment or a Note, against any undisputed, liquidated amounts owed by PT Intermediate to PT Holdco or its Affiliate pursuant to an Ashford Indemnification Claim, provided , however that any such amounts must first be satisfied from the Escrow Fund (as such

 

25



 

term is defined in the Unit Purchase Agreement) and any such offset shall only be to the extent any such amount is not satisfied by the Escrow Fund.

 

(h)                                  If some or all of the Call Right purchase price or Put Right purchase price is paid in securities of Ashford Inc. or its Affiliates and such securities are not registered on an established U.S. securities exchange, PT Holdco shall, and shall cause the issuer to, reasonably cooperate with PT Intermediate and its successors or assigns in any subsequent sale of such securities, including but not limited to providing customary representations of the issuer regarding availability of information and providing any customary legal opinions that may be required by the transfer agent in connection with the sale of such securities.

 

7.12                         Redemption Right Upon Death of Kevin Jost .(a)                             The Company may purchase and maintain a life insurance policy on the life of Kevin Jost (the “ Jost Insurance Policy ”) in an amount approved by the Board.  The Company shall pay all premiums due on such insurance policy and shall be the sole owner of such policy.

 

(b)                                  Upon the death of Kevin Jost, the Company may, but will not be required to, elect to repurchase up to 100,000 Series A Units held by PT Intermediate at a purchase price equal to the Fair Market Value of such Series A Units as determined by the Company and PT Intermediate through the procedure set forth in Section 7.11(f) (the “ Redemption ”).  If the Company elects to exercise its right to engage in the Redemption pursuant to this Section 7.12, the Company shall deliver to PT Intermediate a written notice (the “ Redemption Notice ”) specifying the number of Series A Units to be redeemed by the Company (the “ Redeemed Units ”).

 

(c)                                   The closing of the Redemption pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall take place no later than 60 days following receipt by PT Intermediate of the Redemption Notice. The Company shall give PT Intermediate at least 10 days’ written notice of the date of closing (the “ Redemption Closing Date ”).  The Company may pay for the Redeemed Units on the Redemption Closing Date in cash and/or securities issued by Ashford Inc. or its Affiliates that are registrable, registered on an established U.S. securities exchange or freely tradeable under Rule 144 after the expiration of any applicable holding period; provided , that to the extent that cash proceeds from the Jost Insurance Policy are available, the Company shall utilize such proceeds to pay for the Redeemed Units and will only pay for the Redeemed Units using securities to the extent that such cash proceeds do not cover the full purchase price.  PT Intermediate shall take all actions as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the sale contemplated by this Section 7.12, including, without limitation, entering into agreements and delivering certificates and instruments and consents as may be deemed necessary or appropriate.  In connection with the Redemption, PT Intermediate shall be required to make representations and warranties similar to those described in Section 7.4(c)(v) and, if applicable, representations regarding its familiarity with the requirements and limitations of Rule 144.

 

(d)                                  PT Intermediate agrees that if the Company exercises its right to Redemption pursuant to this Section 7.12, the full proceeds of such transaction, less any applicable expenses, must be used to redeem all of the interests of the estate of Kevin Jost or his permitted successors and assigns in PT Intermediate and PT Holdings such that neither the estate of Kevin Jost nor his successors and assigns will be a direct or indirect owner of PT Intermediate or the Company after such redemption.  The proceeds from such transaction may not in any way be distributed to or used directly or indirectly to redeem or otherwise purchase the interests of Monroe Jost or his permitted successors and assigns in PT Intermediate, PT Holdings or any member or owner of such entities.

 

26



 

(e)                                   If some or all of the Redemption purchase price is paid in securities of Ashford Inc. or its Affiliates and such securities are not registered on an established U.S. securities exchange, PT Holdco shall, and shall cause the issuer to, reasonably cooperate with PT Intermediate and its successors or assigns in any subsequent sale of such securities, including but not limited to providing customary representations of the issuer regarding availability of information and providing any customary legal opinions that may be required by the transfer agent in connection with the sale of such securities.

 

(f)                                    The provisions of Sections 7.3 and 7.5 will not apply to the Redemption by the Company of the Redeemed Units pursuant to this Section 7.12.

 

ARTICLE 8
MANAGEMENT

 

8.1                                Management Under Direction of the Board .  The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed and controlled by a board of managers (the “ Board ,” and each member of the Board, a “ Manager ”), and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Board shall have full and complete discretion to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, to make all decisions affecting the business and affairs of the Company and to take all such actions as it deems necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes of the Company as set forth herein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Manager in his or her individual capacity shall have the authority to manage the Company or approve matters relating to, or otherwise to bind the Company, such powers being reserved to all of the Managers acting pursuant to Section 8.2(e) through the Board and to such agents and Officers of the Company as designated by the Board.

 

8.2                                Board of Managers .

 

(a)                                  Composition; Initial Managers .  The Board shall initially consist of three managers, designated as follows:

 

(i)                                      two designees of PT Holdco (the “ PT Holdco Managers ”); and

 

(ii)                                   one designee of PT Intermediate (the “ PT Intermediate Manager ”), who must be either Monroe Jost, Kevin Jost, a professional advisor of PT Intermediate (who shall not be a Jost family member), including an attorney, financial advisor or CPA, or a senior officer of the Company (who shall not be a Jost family member).

 

The Board as of the Effective Date shall consist of the persons listed on Schedule II.    Subject to Section 8.2(b) below, each of PT Holdco and PT Intermediate shall be entitled to assign its right to designate a Manager to any Person in connection with the Disposition of any Series A Units held by such Member to such Person in accordance with this Agreement.    Each Manager shall serve in such capacity until his successor has been elected and qualified or until such person’s death, dissolution, resignation or removal.  The members of the Board shall be “managers” within the meaning of the DLLCA.

 

(b)                                  Board Observer . So long as Monroe Jost is the PT Intermediate Manager, Kevin Jost shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Board or committee thereof (the “ Board Observer ”).  If Monroe Jost ceases to be the PT Intermediate Manager for any reason and PT Intermediate still owns any Series A Units, PT Intermediate shall no longer be entitled to a Board Observer.  The Company shall provide the Board Observer with any notices delivered to the Managers and a copy of all meeting

 

27



 

materials concurrently with providing such notices and materials to the Managers.  The Company shall provide the Board Observer with the same travel and expense reimbursement with respect to the Board Observer’s attendance at regular Board meetings as is provided to the Managers.  The Board Observer shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Board (including any committees thereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board, acting in good faith, reserves the right to withhold any information and to exclude the Board Observer from any meeting or portion thereof if access to such information or attendance at such meeting (i) is deemed necessary in the good faith discretion of the Board (ii) in the good faith discretion of the Board, would create a conflict of interest or is restricted by any agreement to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound, or (iii) would adversely affect the attorney-client privilege between the Company and its counsel.  The Board Observer shall not have any voting rights with respect to any action brought before the Board.  The Board Observer may resign in the same manner as the Managers as set forth in this Section 8.2.  For purposes of clarity, PT Intermediate may not appoint a Board Observer other than Kevin Jost and will not have the right to appoint any Board Observer if Monroe Jost is no longer the PT Intermediate Manager for any reason.

 

(c)                                   Removal .  Any Manager designated by a Person may be removed with or without cause only by vote or consent of the Person entitled to designate such Manager.

 

(d)                                  Resignations .  A Manager may resign at any time.  Such resignation shall be in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Company.  The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless expressly so provided in the resignation.

 

(e)                                   Vacancies .  In the event that a vacancy is created on the Board by the dissolution, death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of any Manager, such vacancy shall be filled only by consent of the Person entitled to designate such Manager.  A Member or group of Members entitled to designate a Manager may do so at any time by written notice to the Company.

 

(f)                                    Quorum; Required Vote for Board Action .

 

(i)                                      Unless otherwise required or permitted by this Agreement, two (2) Managers, either present (in person or by teleconference) or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board, including at least the PT Intermediate Manager (or its proxy); provided that if, due to the failure of the PT Intermediate Manager or its proxy to attend, there is not a quorum at two (2) consecutive duly called meetings of the Board, then a quorum shall exist at the next duly called meeting of the Board or such committee thereof if two (2) Managers are either present (in person or by teleconference) or represented by proxy; provided , further , that if a quorum is declared without the PT Intermediate Manager pursuant to the foregoing proviso, the notice of such meeting must state the intention of the Board or committee to invoke this provision and declare a quorum without the PT Intermediate Manager.

 

(ii)                                   Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, actions by the Board shall require the approval of at least two (2) Managers present at a meeting (in person or by teleconference) or represented by proxy.

 

(iii)                                Without the consent of at least two (2) Managers present at a meeting (in person, by proxy or by teleconference), one of which must be the PT Intermediate Manager, the Board shall not, and shall not allow or cause the Company or any officer, agent or employee of the Company to,

 

28



 

enter into any transaction with or for the benefit of Affiliates of any Member or Manager; provided, that this Section 8.2(f)(iii) will not apply to transactions between the Company and any hotel owned in whole or in part or managed by Ashford Inc. or its Affiliates so long as such transactions are subject to approval by the independent members of the Board of Directors of the company that owns, directly or indirectly, such hotel.

 

(g)                                   Place of Meetings; Order of Business .  The Board may hold its meetings and may have an office and keep the books of the Company, except as otherwise provided by Law, in such place or places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine by resolution.  At all meetings of the Board, business shall be transacted in such order as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board.

 

(h)                                  Regular Meetings .  Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at least two (2) times each calendar year, at such times and places as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board.  Regular meeting shall require at least seven (7) days’ written notice via personal delivery, certified mail (return receipt requested) or electronic mail (with confirmation of receipt) to each Manager, which notice must include appropriate location or dial-in information, as applicable, to permit the Managers to participate in such meeting.

 

(i)                                      Special Meetings .  Special meetings of the Board may be called by any Manager, on at least twenty-four (24) hours written notice via personal delivery, certified mail (return receipt requested) or electronic mail (with confirmation of receipt) to each Manager, which notice must include appropriate location or dial-in information, as applicable, to permit the Managers to participate in such meeting either in person (if applicable) or by means of telephone conference.  Such notice need not state the purpose or purposes of such meeting, except as may otherwise be required by Law.

 

(j)                                     Action Without a Meeting .  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be taken without notice and without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by all of the Managers.

 

(k)                                  Telephonic Conference Meeting .  Subject to the requirement for notice of meetings, members of the Board shall have a right to participate in any meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

(l)                                      Waiver of Notice Through Attendance .  Attendance of a Manager at any meeting of the Board (including by telephone) shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

(m)                              Reliance on Books, Reports and Records .  Each Manager shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or reports made to the Company by any of its Officers or by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care by the Board, or in relying in good faith upon other records of the Company.

 

29



 

(n)                                  Committees .  The Board shall have the authority to create committees of the Board.  Subject to this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Formation and the DLLCA, committees of the Board shall have the rights, powers and privileges granted to such committee by the Board from time to time, however no committee may take any action set forth in 8.2(f)(iii) unless such action is approved by the PT Intermediate Manager or a committee member appointed by the PT Intermediate Manager.

 

8.3                                Officers .  The Company may have such officers (the “ Officers ”) as the Board in its discretion may appoint.  The Board may remove any Officer with or without cause at any time; provided, however , that such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the Officer so removed.  Election or appointment of an Officer shall not of itself create contractual rights.  Any such Officers may, subject to the general direction of the Board, have responsibility for the management of the normal and customary day-to-day operations of the Company, and act as “ agents ” of the Company in carrying out such activities.  The Officers shall be compensated, and the terms and conditions of their employment with the Company or a Subsidiary (as applicable) shall be, as provided in their respective employment agreements, if any.  Each Officer shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed, until his or her death, or until he or she resigns or is removed by the Board.  Subject to the terms of any applicable employment or other contract, any Officer may resign at any time.  Such resignation shall be in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Board.  The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless expressly so provided in the resignation.

 

8.4                                Members .  The Members in their capacity as such shall not have any power or authority to manage the business or affairs of the Company or to bind the Company or enter into agreements on behalf of the Company.  To the fullest extent permitted by Law and notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, no Member shall have any fiduciary duty, to the Company or any other Member in connection with the business and affairs of the Company or any consent or approval given or withheld pursuant to this Agreement.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or required by the DLLCA, Members shall have no voting rights or rights of approval, veto or consent or similar rights over any actions of the Company. Any matter requiring the consent or approval of any of the Members pursuant to this Agreement may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, by a consent in writing, setting forth such consent or approval, and signed by the holders of not less than the number of outstanding Series A Units necessary to consent to or approve such action.  Prompt notice of such consent or approval shall be given by the Company to those Members who have not joined in such consent or approval.

 

8.5                                [ Reserved ].

 

8.6                                Acknowledgement Regarding Outside Businesses and Opportunities .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each of the Company and the Members acknowledges and agrees that PT Holdco and its Affiliates (i) have made, prior to the date hereof, and are expected to make, on and after the date hereof, investments (by way of capital contributions, loans or otherwise), and (ii) have engaged, prior to the date hereof, and are expected to engage, on and after the date hereof, in other transactions with and with respect to, in each case, Persons engaged in businesses that may overlap in target markets, service similar customer bases or directly or indirectly interact or impact the day-to-day business of the Company with and its Subsidiaries as conducted from time to time.  The Company and the Members agree that any involvement, engagement

 

30



 

or participation of PT Holdco and its Affiliates (including any PT Holdco Nominee) in such investments, transactions and businesses, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper or to violate any duty express or implied under applicable Law so long as the companies and businesses in question are not directly competitive with the Company.

 

(b)                                  The Company and each Member hereby renounce any interest or expectancy in any business opportunity, transaction or other matter in which PT Holdco or any of its Affiliates participates or desires or seeks to participate and that involves any aspect of the Business (each, a “ Business Opportunity ”) other than a Business Opportunity that (i) is presented to a PT Holdco Nominee solely in such individual’s capacity as a Manager, Officer or other representative or agent of the Company or (ii) is identified by PT Holdco solely through the disclosure of information by or on behalf of the Company to a PT Holdco Nominee (solely in each such individual’s capacity as a Manager, Officer or other representative or agent of the Company) (each Business Opportunity other than those referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) are referred to as a “ Renounced Business Opportunity ”).  PT Holdco shall not have any obligation to communicate or offer any Renounced Business Opportunity to the Company or its Affiliates, Members, Managers, Officers, or employees, and PT Holdco may pursue for itself or direct, sell, assign or transfer to a Person other than the Company any Renounced Business Opportunity.

 

(c)                                   Each of the Company and the Members hereby agrees that any claims against, actions, rights to sue, other remedies or other recourse to or against PT Holdco, any Covered Person or any of their respective Affiliates for or in connection with any such investment activity or other transaction activity or other matters described in Section 8.6(a) or (b), or activities related to any of the foregoing, whether arising in common law or equity or created by rule of law, statute, constitution, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise, are expressly released and waived by the Company and its Affiliates, Members, Managers, Officers, and employees, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Law.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each of the Company and the Members acknowledges and agrees that PT Holdco and its Affiliates (including any PT Holdco Nominees) have obtained, prior to the date hereof, and are expected to obtain, on and after the date hereof, confidential information from other companies in connection with the activities and transactions described in Section 8.6(a) or (b) or otherwise.  Each of the Company and the Members hereby agrees that (i) neither PT Holdco nor its Affiliates (including any PT Holdco Nominees) has any obligation to use in connection with the business, operations, management or other activities of the Company or to furnish to the Company or any Member any such confidential information (except to the extent such information as presented to a PT Holdco Nominee in such individual’s capacity as a Manager, Officer or other representative or agent of the Company), and (ii) that any claims against, actions, rights to sue, other remedies or other recourse to or against PT Holdco, any Covered Person or any of their respective Affiliates (including any PT Holdco Nominees) for or in connection with any such failure to use or to furnish such confidential information, whether arising in common law or equity or created by rule of law, statute, constitution, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise, are expressly released and waived by the Company and each Member, to the fullest extent permitted by Law.

 

8.7                                Acknowledgement and Release Relating to Matters Requiring Member Approval .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each of the Company and the Members acknowledges and agrees that each Member, in its capacity as a Member, may decide or determine any matter subject to such Member’s approval pursuant the provisions of this Agreement in such Member’s sole and absolute discretion, and in making such decision or determination such Member shall have no

 

31



 

fiduciary duty, to any other Member or to the Company, it being the intent of all Members that each Member, in its capacity as a Member, has the right to make such determination solely on the basis of its own interests.  Each of the Company and the Members hereby agrees that any claims against, actions, rights to sue, other remedies or other recourse to or against any Member or any of such Member’s Affiliates (including, in the case of PT Holdco, each PT Holdco Nominee) for or in connection with any such decision or determination, in each case whether arising in common law or equity or created by rule of law, statue, constitution, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise, are in each case expressly released and waived by the Company and each Member, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Agreement and any related agreement, and the incurring by the Members of the obligations provided in such agreements.

 

8.8                                Amendment, Modification or Repeal .  All amendments, modifications or repeals shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Members, the Covered Persons or any of their respective Affiliates under such provisions as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

ARTICLE 9
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

9.1                                Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of the Covered Persons .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement, whether express or implied, or any obligation or duty at Law or in equity, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, none of the Covered Persons shall be liable to the Company or to any Member for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission in connection with the Company’s business (in relation to the Company, any transaction, any investment or any business decision or action, including for breach of contract or breach of duties) taken or omitted by a Covered Person unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of such act or omission, and taking into account the acknowledgments and agreements set forth in this Agreement (including Section 8.6 and Section 8.7), such Covered Person acted in bad faith, with recklessness or gross negligence, engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such Covered Person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

(b)                                  Any Covered Person acting for, on behalf of or in relation to, the Company in respect of any transaction, any investment or any business decision or action or otherwise shall be entitled to rely in good faith on the provisions of the applicable transaction document and on the advice of counsel, accountants and other professionals that is provided to the Company or such Covered Person, and such Covered Person shall not be liable to the Company or to any Member for such Covered Person’s reliance on any transaction document or such advice, provided , that there has not been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of such reliance, and taking into account the acknowledgments and agreements set forth in this Agreement (including Section 8.6 and Section 8.7), such Covered Person acted in bad faith, with recklessness or gross negligence, engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such Covered Person’s conduct was unlawful.  The provisions of any transaction document, to the extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties and liabilities of a Covered Person otherwise existing at Law or in equity, are agreed by the Members to replace, to the fullest extent

 

32



 

permitted by applicable Law, such duties and liabilities existing at Law or in equity of such Covered Person. This Section 9.1(b) does not create any duty or liability of a Covered Person that does not otherwise exist at Law or in equity.

 

(c)                                   Each Covered Person (regardless of such person’s capacity and regardless of whether another Covered Person is entitled to indemnification) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company (but only to the extent of the Company’s assets), to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, from and against any and all loss, liability and expense (including taxes; penalties; judgments; fines; amounts paid or to be paid in settlement; costs of investigation and preparations; and fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys, whether or not the dispute or proceeding involves the Company or any Manager or Member) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such Covered Person in connection with the activities of the Company, provided , that such Covered Person shall not be so indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which such Covered Person is seeking indemnification or seeking to be held harmless hereunder, and taking into account the acknowledgments and agreements set forth in this Agreement (including Section 8.6 and Section 8.7), such Covered Person acted in bad faith, with recklessness or gross negligence, engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such Covered Person’s conduct was unlawful.  A Covered Person shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 9.1 because such Covered Person had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Each Covered Person may rely, and shall incur no liability in acting or refraining from acting in good faith, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, paper, document, signature or writing reasonably believed by it to be genuine, and may rely on a certificate signed by an officer, agent or representative of any Person in order to ascertain any fact with respect to such person or within such Person’s knowledge, in each case unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of such reliance, action or inaction, such Covered Person acted in bad faith, with recklessness or gross negligence, engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such Covered Person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

(e)                                   NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ANY COVERED PERSON SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE COMPANY, TO ANY MEMBER OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON MAKING CLAIMS ON BEHALF OF THE FOREGOING FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF USE OR REVENUE OR LOSSES BY REASON OF COST OF CAPITAL, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY, THE GRANTING OR WITHHOLDING OF ANY APPROVAL REQUIRED HEREUNDER OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, VIOLATION OF ANY APPLICABLE DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT OR SIMILAR LAW OR ANY OTHER LEGAL OR EQUITABLE DUTY OR PRINCIPLE, AND THE COMPANY AND EACH COVERED PERSON RELEASE EACH OF THE OTHER SUCH PERSONS FROM LIABILITY FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES.

 

33



 

(f)                                    The obligations of the Company to the Covered Persons provided in this Agreement or arising under Law are solely the obligations of the Company, and no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any Member or other Covered Person for such obligations, to the fullest extent permitted by Law.  The obligations of each Member provided in this Agreement or arising under Law are solely the obligations of such Member, and no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any other Covered Person for such obligations, to the fullest extent permitted by Law.  Where the foregoing provides that no personal liability shall attach to or be incurred by a Covered Person, any claims against or recourse to such Covered Person for or in connection with such liability, whether arising in common law or equity or created by rule of law, statute, constitution, contract or otherwise, are expressly released and waived under this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Agreement, and the incurring by the Company or such Member of the obligations provided in such agreements.

 

(g)                                   Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between a Covered Person or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Company or another Member, on the other, any resolution or course of action by such Covered Person or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Members, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by the disinterested Members holding 50% of the then outstanding Series A Units other than the units held by the Covered Person or its Affiliates, (ii) determined by such Covered Person in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.1(b) above to be on terms no less favorable to the Company than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iii) determined by such Covered Person in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.1(b) above to be fair and reasonable to the Company, taking into account the totality of the relationships among the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Company).  If the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest is determined by the Board to satisfy either of the standards set forth in clauses (ii) or (iii) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making such decision, the Board acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Member or by or on behalf of such Member or any other Member or the Company challenging such approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption.

 

(h)                                  Nothing in this Section 9.1 shall be deemed to limit or waive any rights that any Person has for breach of contract under the terms of this Agreement; provided, however , that each Member acknowledges that it is not relying upon any other Member or any of such other Member’s Affiliates, or any of such other Member’s or such other Member’s Affiliates’ respective stockholders, partners, members, directors, officers or employees, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company or in monitoring such investment.

 

9.2                                Advance of Expenses .  The Company shall advance all expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any proceeding prior to the final disposition of such proceeding upon written request of such Person and delivery of an undertaking (which may be unsecured) by such Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.

 

9.3                                Procedure for Indemnification .  Any indemnification or advance of expenses under this Article 9 shall be made only against a written request therefor submitted by or on behalf of the person seeking such indemnification or advance.  All expenses (including reasonable

 

34



 

attorneys’ fees) incurred by such person in connection with successfully establishing such person’s right to indemnification or advance of expenses under this Article 9, in whole or in part, shall also be indemnified by the Company.

 

9.4                                Contract Right; Non-Exclusivity; Survival .

 

(a)                                  The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by this Article 9 shall be deemed to be separate contract rights between the Company and each Covered Person who serves in any such capacity at any time while these provisions are in effect, and no repeal or modification of any of these provisions shall adversely affect any right or obligation of such Covered Person existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any state of facts then or previously existing or any proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.

 

(b)                                  The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by this Article 9 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other indemnification or advance of expenses to which a Covered Person seeking indemnification or advance of expenses may be entitled.

 

(c)                                   The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by this Article 9 to any Covered Person shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

 

9.5                                Insurance .

 

The Company may maintain insurance to protect itself and any Covered Person against any liability asserted against such Person and incurred by such Person or on such Person’s behalf whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of Section 9.1.

 

9.6                                Interpretation; Severability .

 

References to the Company in this Article 9 shall be deemed to be references to the Company and its Subsidiaries.  If this Article 9 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify each Covered Person of the Company as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including an action by or in the right of the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article 9 that shall not have been invalidated.

 

ARTICLE 10
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND MEMBERS

 

10.1                         Maintenance of Books .  The Company shall keep or cause to be kept at its principal office complete and accurate books and records of the Company, supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Company’s business and minutes of the proceedings of the Board and any of the Members.  The Company’s financial books and records shall be maintained on a full cost accounting basis unless otherwise agreed by the entire Board.  The Company shall at all times maintain the necessary qualified accounting and financial personnel to adequately maintain and produce the GAAP financial statements. The records shall include complete and accurate information regarding

 

35



 

the state of the business and financial condition of the Company; a copy of the Certificate and this Agreement and all amendments thereto; a current list of the names and last known business, residence or mailing addresses of all Members; and the Company’s federal, state and local tax returns for the Company’s six most recent tax years.

 

10.2                         Financial Reports and Access to Information .  Each holder of Series A Units shall be entitled to receive the following information from the Company:

 

(a)                                  Within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, an unaudited balance sheet as of the end of such quarter and the related unaudited income statement prepared in accordance with GAAP (with the exception of normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnotes), consistently applied, together with a comparison of the unaudited income statement to the Annual Budget for such periods.

 

(b)                                  Promptly after the occurrence of any material event with respect to the business or financial condition of the Company or its Subsidiaries, notice of such event on a Form 8-K, if applicable.

 

(c)                                   In addition to the requirements above, the Company will promptly provide PT Holdco and Ashford all financial information it possesses that Ashford reasonably requires in connection with Ashford’s disclosure obligations to the Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange on which the shares of Ashford or its Affiliates are traded.  If necessary, the Company will promptly provide Ashford any and all financial information it possesses to allow for Ashford or its Affiliates to include the Company in consolidated financial results in any required financial statements. All financial information necessary for Ashford or its Affiliates’ closing processes shall be provided by the Company on a monthly basis by the seventh day of the following month. The Company will provide all management representation letters that may be required of auditors of Ashford and its Affiliates in connection with the foregoing. Furthermore, Ashford’s auditors and other representatives shall have the right to perform compliance audits to ensure compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission standards.

 

10.3                         Annual Budget .  The Officers of the Company shall present to the Board, at least sixty (60) days before the beginning of each fiscal year of the Company, a reasonably detailed consolidated annual budget, including a consolidated annual capital expenditure forecast.  The budget for any fiscal year, as so approved, is referred to as the “ Annual Budget .”

 

10.4                         Accounts .  The Company shall establish one or more separate bank and investment accounts and arrangements for the Company, which shall be maintained in the Company’s name with financial institutions and firms that the Board may determine.  The Company may not commingle the Company’s funds with the funds of any Member or any Affiliate of a Member.

 

10.5                         Information .

 

(a)                                  No Member shall be entitled to obtain any information relating to the Company except as expressly provided in this Agreement or to the extent required by the DLLCA; and to the extent a Member is so entitled to such information, such Member shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.5(b).  Each Manager (including the Board Observer) shall have access to all information regarding the Company subject to the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and 10.5(b).

 

36



 

(b)                                  Each Member agrees that all Confidential Information shall be kept confidential by such Member and shall not be disclosed by such Member in any manner whatsoever; provided, however , that (i) any of such Confidential Information may be disclosed to such Member’s Affiliates and to partners; members; stockholders; prospective partners, members, and stockholders; managers; directors; officers; employees; and authorized representatives (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers and financial advisors) of such Member and of such Member’s Affiliates (collectively, for purposes of this Section 10.5(b), “ Representatives ”), each of which Representatives shall be bound by the provisions of this Section 10.5(b) or substantially similar terms; (ii) any disclosure of Confidential Information may be made to the extent to which the Company consents in writing; (iii) any disclosure may be made of the terms of a Member’s investment in the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the performance of that investment to the extent in compliance with applicable Law (whether in the Member’s fundraising materials or otherwise); (iv) Confidential Information may be disclosed by a Member or Representative to the extent reasonably necessary in connection with such Member’s enforcement of its rights under this Agreement; and (v) Confidential Information may be disclosed by any Member or Representative to the extent that the Member or Representative has received advice from its counsel that it is legally compelled to do so; provided , that, the Member or Representative, as the case may be, must promptly notify the Company of such disclosure and, if reasonably requested by the Company, make reasonable efforts to assist the Company, at the Company’s sole expense, in preserving the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, including seeking a protective order to prevent the requested disclosure and provided, further , that the Member or Representative, as the case may be, discloses only that portion of the Confidential Information as is, based on the advice of its counsel, legally required.

 

ARTICLE 11
TAXES

 

11.1                         Tax Returns .  The Company shall prepare and timely file all U.S. federal, state and local and foreign tax returns required to be filed by the Company.  Unless otherwise agreed by the Board, any income tax return of the Company shall be prepared by an independent public accounting firm of recognized standing selected by the Board.  Each Member shall furnish to the Company all pertinent information in its possession relating to the Company’s operations that is necessary to enable the Company’s tax returns to be timely prepared and filed.  Following the end of a fiscal year, the Company shall deliver to each Member by May 15 of the subsequent fiscal year a Schedule K-1 together with such additional information as may be required by the Members in order to file their individual returns reflecting the Company’s operations.  The Company shall bear the costs of the preparation and filing of its tax returns.

 

11.2                         Tax Partnership .  It is the intention of the Members that the Company be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Neither the Company nor any Member shall make an election for the Partnership to be excluded from the application of the provisions of subchapter K of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code or any similar provisions of applicable state law or to be classified as other than a partnership pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3.

 

11.3                         Tax Elections .  The Company shall make the following elections on the appropriate forms or tax returns:

 

37



 

(a)                                  to adopt the calendar year as the Company’s fiscal year, if permitted under the Code;

 

(b)                                  to adopt the accrual method of accounting and to keep the Company’s books and records on the U.S. federal income tax method;

 

(c)                                   if there shall be a distribution of Company property as described in Section 734 of the Code or if there shall be a transfer of a Membership interest as described in Section 743 of the Code, to elect, pursuant to Section 754 of the Code, to adjust the basis of Company properties;

 

(d)                                  to elect to amortize the organizational expenses of the Company as permitted by Code Section 709(b); and

 

(e)                                   any other election the Board may deem appropriate and in the best interests of the Members.

 

11.4                         Tax Matters Member .

 

(a)                                  For partnership taxable years beginning before the new partnership audit rules (which are set forth in Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of Subtitle F of the Code (Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code as amended by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015) that are generally effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017) are in effect, the tax matters partner of the Company pursuant to Code Section 6231(a)(7) shall be a Member designated from time to time by the Board subject to replacement by the Board.  (Any Member who is designated as the tax matters partner is referred to herein as the “ Tax Matters Member ”).  The initial Tax Matters Member will be PT Holdco.  The Tax Matters Member shall take such action as may be necessary to cause to the extent possible each other Member to become a notice partner within the meaning of Code Section 6231(a)(8).  The Tax Matters Member shall inform each other Member of all significant matters that may come to its attention in its capacity as Tax Matters Member by giving notice thereof on or before the fifth day after becoming aware thereof and, within that time, shall forward to each other Member copies of all significant written communications it may receive in that capacity.

 

(b)                                  The Tax Matters Member shall take no action without the authorization of the Board, other than such action as may be required by Law.  Any cost or expense incurred by the Tax Matters Member in connection with its duties, including the preparation for or pursuance of administrative or judicial proceedings, shall be paid by the Company.

 

(c)                                   The Tax Matters Member shall not enter into any extension of the period of limitations for making assessments on behalf of the Members without first obtaining the consent of each Member, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  The Tax Matters Member shall not bind any Member to a settlement agreement without obtaining the consent of such Member.  Any Member that enters into a settlement agreement with respect to any Company item (within the meaning of Code Section 6231(a)(3)) shall notify the other Members of such settlement agreement and its terms within ninety (90) days from the date of the settlement.

 

(d)                                  No Member shall file a request pursuant to Code Section 6227 for an administrative adjustment of Company items for any taxable year without first notifying the other Members.  If the Board consents to the requested adjustment, the Tax Matters Member shall file the

 

38



 

request for the administrative adjustment on behalf of the Members.  If such consent is not obtained within thirty (30) days from such notice, or within the period required to timely file the request for administrative adjustment, if shorter, any Member, including the Tax Matters Member, may file a request for administrative adjustment on its own behalf.  Any Member intending to file a petition under Code Sections 6226 or 6228 or other Code Section with respect to any item involving the Company shall notify the other Members of such intention and the nature of the contemplated proceeding.  In the case where the Tax Matters Member is the Member intending to file such petition on behalf of the Company, such notice shall be given within a reasonable period of time to allow the other Members to participate in the choosing of the forum in which such petition will be filed.

 

(e)                                   If any Member intends to file a notice of inconsistent treatment under Code Section 6222(b), such Member shall give reasonable notice under the circumstances to the other Members of such intent and the manner in which the Member’s intended treatment of an item is (or may be) inconsistent with the treatment of that item by the other Members.

 

(f)                                    With the consent of all Members (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), the Tax Matters Member shall have authority to and shall (i) take any action on behalf of the Company that must or may be taken by it under the provisions of Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of the Code as such provisions take effect for partnership taxable years during which the new partnership audit rules (which are set forth in Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of Subtitle F of the Code (Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code as amended by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015) that are generally effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017) are in effect (the “ New Partnership Tax Audit Rules ”), and any corresponding provisions of state, local or foreign law (collectively “ Partnership Tax Audit Rules ”), (ii) file any request for an administrative adjustment on behalf of the Company pursuant to Partnership Tax Audit Rules (including but not limited to Section 6227 of the New Partnership Audit Rules), (iii) make any election or take any other action to exclude or exempt the Company from liability with respect to any determination of any governmental authority under Partnership Tax Audit Rules (including but not limited to electing the application of Section 6226(a) of the New Partnership Tax Audit Rules with respect to any partnership adjustment or imputed underpayment), (iv) file any petition or take any similar action and conduct any administrative or judicial review or appeal with respect to any partnership adjustment or similar determination of any governmental authority with respect to any tax (including but not limited to filing a petition pursuant to Section 6234 of the New Partnership Tax Audit Rules), and (v) take any action to collect from any Member its liability for any imputed underpayment or similar liability for tax under this Agreement or any Partnership Tax Audit Rules (including but not limited to Sections 6232 and 6233 of the New Partnership Tax Audit Rules).   Unless directed otherwise by the Board, the Tax Matters Member shall elect or take such other requisite action to exclude or exempt the Company from application of Partnership Tax Audit Rules (including but not limited to an election pursuant to Section 6221(b) of the New Partnership Tax Audit Rules or otherwise).  The Tax Matters Member is designated as the representative of the Company under Section 6223(a) of the New Partnership Tax Audit Rules.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Member shall be liable for and, promptly upon demand by the Tax Matters Member, pay to the Company such Member’s share (as reasonably determined by the Tax Matters Member in good faith) of any imputed underpayment of tax imposed on Members in their capacities as such and any interest and penalties relating thereto imposed on the Company as a result of any partnership adjustment or other proceeding with substantially similar effect under Partnership Tax Audit Rules.

 

39



 

ARTICLE 12
DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP AND TERMINATION

 

12.1                         Dissolution .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Section 12.1(b), the Company shall be liquidated and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following events (each a “ Liquidation Event ”) and no other event shall cause the Company’s dissolution:

 

(i)                                      the consent of the Board in accordance with Article 8;

 

(ii)                                   at any time when there are no Members; and

 

(iii)                                entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under the DLLCA.

 

(b)                                  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 12.1, to the maximum extent permitted by the DLLCA, the death, retirement, Resignation, expulsion, Bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or the commencement or consummation of separation proceedings shall not constitute a Liquidation Event and, notwithstanding the occurrence of any such event or circumstance, the business of the Company shall be continued without dissolution.

 

12.2                         Winding-Up and Termination .  On the occurrence of a Liquidation Event, the Board may select one or more Persons to act as liquidator or may itself act as liquidator.  The liquidator shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the DLLCA.  The costs of winding up shall be borne as a Company expense, including reasonable compensation to the liquidator if approved by the Board.  Until final distribution, the liquidator shall continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority of the Board.  The steps to be accomplished by the liquidator are as follows:

 

(a)                                  as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final winding up, the liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Company’s assets, liabilities and operations;

 

(b)                                  the liquidator shall pay, satisfy or discharge from Company funds all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in winding up) or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidator may reasonably determine); and

 

(c)                                   all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members as follows:

 

(i)                                      the liquidator may sell any or all Company property, including to Members, and any resulting gain or loss from each sale shall be computed and allocated to the Capital Accounts of the Members in accordance with the provisions of Article 6;

 

40



 

(ii)                                   with respect to all Company property that has not been sold, the fair market value of that property shall be determined and the Capital Accounts of the Members shall be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the unrealized income, gain, loss and deduction inherent in property that has not been reflected in the Capital Accounts previously would be allocated among the Members if there were a taxable disposition of that property for the fair market value of that property on the date of distribution; and

 

(iii)                                all of the Company’s assets, including property, shall be distributed among the Members in accordance with Section 6.1(c) and those distributions shall be made by the end of the taxable year of the Company during which the liquidation of the Company occurs (or, if later, ninety (90) days after the date of the liquidation).

 

All distributions in kind to the Members shall be made subject to the liability of each distributee for costs, expenses and liabilities theretofore incurred or for which the Company has committed prior to the date of termination and those costs, expenses and liabilities shall be allocated to the distributee pursuant to this Section 12.2.  The distribution of cash or property to the Members in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.2 constitutes a complete return to such Member of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Members of its Membership Interests (including Units) and all the Company’s property and constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented.  To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds.

 

12.3                         Deficit Capital Accounts .  No Member shall be required to pay to the Company, to any other Member or to any third party any deficit balance which may exist from time to time in the Member’s Capital Account.

 

12.4                         Certificate of Dissolution .  On completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided herein, the Board (or such other Person or Persons as the DLLCA may require or permit) shall file a Certificate of Dissolution with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to Section 2.5, and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company.  Upon the effectiveness of the Certificate of Dissolution, the existence of the Company shall cease, except as may be otherwise provided by the DLLCA or other applicable Law.

 

ARTICLE 13
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

13.1                         Offse t.  Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to any Member, any undisputed, liquidated amounts that such Member, in its capacity as a Member, owes the Company, whether pursuant to this Agreement or another document, may be deducted from that sum before payment.

 

13.2                         Notices .

 

(a)                                  Except as expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement, all notices, requests or consents provided for or required to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given if personally delivered, telecopied or delivery via electronic mail and confirmed, or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or nationally recognized overnight delivery service with proof of receipt maintained, at the following addresses (or any other address that any such party may designate by written notice to the other parties):

 

41



 

(i)                                      if to the Company, at:

 

Presentation Technologies, LLC

c/o AHA Service Management, LLC
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100

Dallas, TX  75254

Attn: David Brooks, General Counsel

Email: dbrooks@ashfordinc.com

 

With a copy to:

 

PT Holdco, LLC

c/o AHA Service Management, LLC
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100

Dallas, TX  75254

Attn: David Brooks, General Counsel

Email: dbrooks@ashfordinc.com

 

(ii)                                   if to a Member, to the address given for the Member on Schedule I hereto; and

 

(iii)                                if to an additional Member or a holder of Membership Interests or Units that has not been admitted as a Member, to the address given for such Member or holder in an Addendum Agreement.

 

Any such notice shall, if delivered personally, be deemed received upon delivery; shall, if delivered by electronic mail, be deemed received on the day of delivery and confirmation; shall, if delivered by telecopy, be deemed received on the first business day following confirmation; shall, if delivered by certified mail, be deemed received upon the earlier of actual receipt thereof or five (5) business days after the date of deposit in the United States mail, as the case may be; and shall, if delivered by nationally recognized overnight delivery service, be deemed received the first (1 st ) business day after the date of deposit with the delivery service.

 

(b)                                  Whenever any notice is required to be given by Law, the Certificate or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.

 

13.3                         Entire Agreement; Supersedure .  This Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules) constitutes the entire agreement of the Members relating to the Company and supersedes all prior contracts or agreements with respect to the Company, whether oral or written.

 

13.4                         Effect of Waiver or Consent . A waiver or consent, express or implied, to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by that Person of its obligations with respect to the Company is not a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person with respect to the Company.  Failure on the part of a Person to complain of any act of any Person or to declare any Person in default with respect to the Company, irrespective of how long that failure continues, does not constitute a waiver by that Person of its rights with respect to that default until the applicable statute-of-limitations period has run.

 

42



 

13.5                         Amendment or Restatement .  This Agreement (including any Exhibit or Schedule hereto) and the Certificate may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, and any provisions of this Agreement or the Certificate may be waived with the approval PT Holdco; provided, however , (i) that any such amendment, modification, supplement, restatement or waiver that would by its explicit terms require a Capital Contribution to the Company by any Member shall require the prior written consent of such Member; (ii) any amendment, modification, supplement, restatement or waiver that by its explicit terms would alter or change the rights, obligations, powers or preferences of any Member in a disproportionate and adverse manner compared to other Members shall require the prior written consent of such Member so disproportionately and adversely affected (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes but is not limited to any such actions with respect to Sections 8.2, 8.6 and the first sentence of this Section 13.5) and (iii) any amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or restatement of Article 7 shall require the written approval of both PT Holdco and PT Intermediate.  The execution of an Addendum Agreement in connection with an issuance or transfer of Units made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and changes to Schedule I hereof to reflect such transfers or issuances shall not be considered amendments to this Agreement and shall not require approval hereunder.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13.5, if (i) the provisions of Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-3 and related sections and the proposed Revenue Procedure described in IRS Notice 2005-43, as proposed by the Internal Revenue Service on May 24, 2005, or provisions similar thereto, or (ii) the amendments to Treasury Regulations §§ 1.704-1 and 1.704-3 proposed on January 22, 2003 (and corrected on March 28, 2003) are adopted as final (or temporary) rules (the “ New Rules ”), the Managers are authorized to make such amendments to this Agreement (including provision for any safe harbor election authorized by the New Rules) as the Managers may determine to be necessary or advisable to comply with or reflect the New Rules; provided , that such amendments do not materially alter the economic rights or control rights of the Members under this Agreement other than the timing of distributions pursuant to Section 6.1(b).  Except as required by Law, no amendment, modification, supplement, discharge or waiver of or under this Agreement shall require the consent of any person not a party to this Agreement.

 

13.6                         Binding Effect .  Subject to the restrictions on Dispositions set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Company and each Member and their respective heirs, permitted successors, permitted assigns, permitted distributees and legal representatives; and by their signatures hereto, the Company and each Member intends to and does hereby become bound.  Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under, in or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained.  The rights under this Agreement may be assigned by a Member to a transferee of all or a portion of such Member’s Units transferred in accordance with this Agreement (and shall be assigned to the extent this Agreement requires such assignment), but only to the extent of such Units so transferred; it being understood that the assignment of any rights under this Agreement shall not constitute admission to the Company as a Member unless and until such transferee is duly admitted as a Member in accordance with this Agreement.

 

13.7                         Governing Law; Severability; Limitation of Liability .

 

(a)                                  THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE.

 

43



 

(b)                                  The parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and the federal courts of the United States of America located in Delaware, and appropriate appellate courts therefrom, over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such dispute or proceeding may be heard and determined in such courts.  The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.  This consent to jurisdiction is being given solely for purposes of this Agreement and is not intended to, and shall not, confer consent to jurisdiction with respect to any other dispute in which a party to this Agreement may become involved.    EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(c)                                   In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and (i) any provision of the Certificate or (ii) any mandatory, non-waivable provision of the DLLCA, such provision of the Certificate or the DLLCA shall control.  If any provision of the DLLCA provides that it may be varied or superseded in the agreement of a limited liability company (or otherwise by agreement of the members or managers of a limited liability company), such provision shall be deemed superseded and waived in its entirety if this Agreement contains a provision addressing the same issue or subject matter.

 

(d)                                  The Members agree that they have been or have had the opportunity to be represented by legal counsel during the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement. The Members waive the application of any Law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.

 

(e)                                   If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future Laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.  Furthermore, in lieu of each such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

 

13.8                         Further Assurances .  In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and each Member shall execute and deliver all such future instruments and take such other and further action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the intention of the parties as expressed herein.

 

13.9                         Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including facsimile counterparts), all of which together shall constitute a single instrument.

 

44



 

Remainder of Page Left Blank

 

45



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Members have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

 

MEMBERS:

 

 

 

PT HOLDCO, LLC

 

 

 

By: AHA Service Management, LLC, Manager

 

 

 

By: Ashford Advisors, Inc., its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

David Brooks

 

Title:

Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

PT INTERMEDIATE, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

DEFINED TERMS

 

Accredited Investor ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the regulations promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Addendum Agreement ” is defined in Section 7.6(a).

 

Additional Member ” means any Person who acquires newly issued Units from the Company and is admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.6.

 

Additional Securities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(a).

 

Adjusted Capital Account ” means the Capital Account maintained for each Unitholder, (a) increased by any amounts that such Unitholder is obligated to restore or is treated as obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) and (b) decreased by any amounts described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) with respect to such Unitholder.  The Adjusted Capital Accounts shall be maintained in a manner that facilitates the determination of that portion of each Adjusted Capital Account attributable to each series of Units.

 

Affiliate ” means, when used with respect to a specified Person, any Person which (a) directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by or is Under Common Control with such specified Person or  (b) is an officer, director, general partner, trustee or manager of such specified Person. For purposes of this Agreement, Remington Holdings, LP and its Affiliates shall be deemed to be Affiliates of PT Holdco.

 

Agreement ” means this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, as amended and restated from time to time.

 

Annual Budget ” is defined in Section 10.3.

 

Ashford ” means Ashford, Inc., a Maryland corporation.

 

Ashford Indemnification Claim ” means a claim by a “Buyer Indemnified Party” (as defined in the Unit Purchase Agreement) for indemnification pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement.

 

Assumed Tax Liability ” is defined in Section 6.1(b).

 

Available Cash ” shall mean the Company’s net profits, after payment of or set-aside for the Company’s expenses and other liabilities and reservation for all debt obligations, a minimum working capital balance and tax distributions to the Members, as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board.

 

Bankruptcy ” or “ Bankrupt ” means with respect to any Person, that (a) such Person (i) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition; (iii) becomes the subject of an order for relief or is declared insolvent in any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; (iv) files a petition or answer seeking for such Person a reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any Law; (v) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against such

 

EXHIBIT A- 1



 

Person in a proceeding of the type described in subclauses (i) through (iv) of this clause (a); or (vi) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Person’s properties; or (b) against such Person, a proceeding seeking reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any Law has been commenced and one hundred twenty (120) days have expired without dismissal thereof or with respect to which, without such Person’s consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Person’s properties has been appointed and ninety (90) days have expired without the appointment’s having been vacated or stayed, or ninety (90) days have expired after the date of expiration of a stay, if the appointment has not previously been vacated.

 

Board ” is defined in Section 8.1.

 

Book Value ” means, with respect to any property, such property’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

 

(a)                                  The initial Book Value of any property contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the fair market value of such property as reasonably determined by the Board at the time of such contribution;

 

(b)                                  The Book Values of all properties shall be adjusted to equal their respective fair market values as determined by the Board in connection with (i) the acquisition of an interest in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis capital contribution to the Company, the grant of an interest in the Company (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company by an existing Member acting in a member capacity or by a new Member acting in a member capacity or in anticipation of being a Member, (ii) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of property as consideration for an interest in the Company, or (iii) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)(1) (other than pursuant to Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code);

 

(c)                                   The Book Value of property distributed to a Member shall be the fair market value of such property as determined by the Board; and

 

(d)                                  The Book Value of all property shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such property pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and clause (f) of the definition of Profits and Losses; provided, however , Book Value shall not be adjusted pursuant to this clause (d) to the extent the Board determines that an adjustment pursuant to clause (b) hereof is necessary or appropriate in connection with the transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this clause (d).

 

If the Book Value of property has been determined or adjusted pursuant to clauses (a), (c) or (e) hereof, such Book Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such property for purposes of computing Profits and Losses and other items allocated pursuant to Article 6.

 

Business Opportunity ” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

EXHIBIT A- 2



 

Capital Account ” means the account to be maintained by the Company for each Member pursuant to Section 5.4.

 

Capital Contribution ” means with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the initial Book Value of any property (other than money) contributed to the Company by such Member net of liabilities secured by the contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take subject to under Code Section 752.  Any reference in this Agreement to the Capital Contribution of a Member shall include a Capital Contribution of his predecessors in interest.

 

Capital Stock ” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all ownership interests in a limited liability company, partnership or other Person (other than a corporation), and any and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.

 

Certificate ” means the Certificate of Formation of the Company, as amended from time to time.

 

Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.  All references herein to sections of the Code shall include any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding Law.

 

Company ” means Presentation Technologies, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Confidential Information ” means all confidential and proprietary information (irrespective of the form of communication) obtained by or on behalf of a Member from the Company or its representatives, other than information which (a) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement by such Member, (b) was or becomes available to such Member on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure to the Member by the Company or its representatives, (c) was or becomes available to the Member from a source other than the Company and its representatives, provided , that such source is not known by such Member to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company governing such information, or (d) is independently developed by such Member without the use of any such information received under this Agreement.

 

Control, ” including the correlative terms “ Controlling, ” “ Controlled by ” and “ Under Common Control with ” means possession, directly or indirectly (through one or more intermediaries), of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or any partnership or other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.

 

Covered Person ” means each current and former Member, Tax Matters Member, Manager, Officer, PT Holdco Nominee and each of their and the Company’s respective Affiliates, officers, directors, liquidators, partners, stockholders, managers, members and employees, in each case whether or not such Person continues to have the applicable status referred to above.

 

Creditors’ Rights ” means applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.

 

Depreciation ” means, for each taxable year, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable for Federal income tax purposes with respect to property for such taxable year, except that (a) with respect to any property the Book Value of which differs from its adjusted tax basis for Federal income tax purposes and which difference is being eliminated by use of the remedial allocation method pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d), Depreciation for such

 

EXHIBIT A- 3



 

taxable year shall be the amount of book basis recovered for such taxable year under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)(2), and (b) with respect to any other property the Book Value of which differs from its adjusted tax basis at the beginning of such taxable year, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Book Value as the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such taxable year bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided , that if the adjusted tax basis of any property at the beginning of such taxable year is zero, Depreciation with respect to such property shall be determined with reference to such beginning value using any reasonable method selected by the Managers.

 

DLLCA ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and any successor statute, as amended from time to time.

 

Disposition, ” including the correlative terms “ Dispose ” or “ Disposed ,” means any direct or indirect transfer, assignment, sale, gift, inter vivos transfer, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage, or other encumbrance or any other disposition (whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law) of Units (or any interest (pecuniary or otherwise) therein or right thereto), including derivative or similar transactions or arrangements whereby a portion or all of the economic interest in, or risk of loss or opportunity for gain with respect to, Units is transferred or shifted to another Person.

 

Drag-Along Transaction ” means (a) any consolidation, conversion, merger or other business combination involving the Company in which a majority of the Units are exchanged for or converted into cash, securities of a corporation or other business organization or other property, (b) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to be followed promptly by a liquidation of the Company or a distribution to the Members of all or substantially all of the net proceeds of such sale or disposition after payment or other satisfaction of liabilities and other obligations of the Company, or (c) the sale by all the Members of all their Units.

 

Economic Risk of Loss ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).

 

Effective Date ” is defined in the preamble.

 

Election Period ” is defined in Section 7.8(a).

 

Eligible Purchaser ” means any Member holding Series A Units that certifies to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that such holder is an Accredited Investor.

 

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

 

Excluded Equity Issuances ” means issuances of (a) Units or other awards of Units pursuant to incentive equity plans approved by the Board, so long the aggregate number of units issued under this clause (a) (including the maximum number of Units which may result from the exercise, conversion or exchange of any such award, whether or not such awards are unvested or otherwise not exercisable at the time of calculation) do not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Units as of the date of the grant and (b) Units issued to any Person that is not a Member or an Affiliate thereof as consideration in any acquisition, merger or similar business combination approved in accordance with this Agreement.

 

First Notice ” is defined in Section 7.8(a).

 

GAAP ” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

EXHIBIT A- 4



 

Initial Member ” is defined in Section 3.4.

 

Law ” means any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code (including the Code), law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment, decision, declaration, or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a domestic, foreign or international governmental authority or any political subdivision thereof and shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the DLLCA.

 

Liquidation Event ” is defined in Section 12.1(a).

 

Manager ” is defined in Section 8.1.

 

Member ” means any Person (but not any Affiliate or entity in which such Person has an equity interest) executing this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement as a member or hereafter admitted to the Company as a member as provided in this Agreement, but such term does not include any Person who has ceased to be a member in the Company.

 

Member Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning assigned to the term “ partner nonrecourse debt ” in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” has the meaning assigned to the term “ partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain ” in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

Member Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning assigned to the term “ partner nonrecourse deductions ” in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(1).

 

Membership Interest ” means the interest of a Member in the Company, including rights to distributions (liquidating or otherwise), allocations, notices and information, and all other rights, benefits and privileges enjoyed by that Member (under the DLLCA, the Certificate, this Agreement or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member; and all obligations, duties and liabilities imposed on that Member (under the DLLCA, the Certificate, this Agreement, or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member.

 

Minimum Gain ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704 2(d).

 

New Equity ” is defined in Section 7.7.

 

New Rules ” is defined in Section 13.5.

 

Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning assigned that term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b).

 

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning assigned that term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

 

Officer ” means any Person designated as an officer of the Company as provided in Section 8.3, but such term does not include any Person who has ceased to be an officer of the Company.

 

Over-Allotment Amount ” is defined in Section 7.8(a).

 

EXHIBIT A- 5



 

Percentage Interest ” means the quotient (expressed as a percentage) of the number of Series A Units of such holder divided by the total number of Series A Units outstanding.

 

Permitted Transferee ” with respect to (a) any non-entity Member shall mean (i) any Relative of such Member, (ii) any trust, corporation, partnership or limited liability company, the sole beneficiary of which is such Member or a Relative of such Member, (iii) by will or by the laws of intestate succession, to such Member’s executors, administrators, or testamentary trustees and (iii) any other Member and (b) any other Member shall mean (i) an Affiliate of such Member, (ii) in the context of a distribution by such Member to its direct or indirect equity owners substantially in proportion to such ownership, the partners, members or stockholders of such Member, or the partners, members or stockholders of such partners, members or stockholders, and (iii) any other Member.

 

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, joint venture, association, company, estate, trust, bank trust company, land trust, business trust, or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, custodian, trustee-executor, administrator, nominee or entity in a representative capacity and any government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Profits ” or “ Losses ” means, for each taxable year, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such taxable year, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):

 

(a)                                  Any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses pursuant to this definition of “ Profits ” and “ Losses ” shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

 

(b)                                  Any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i) and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses pursuant to this definition of “ Profits ” and “ Losses ” shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;

 

(c)                                   In the event the Book Value of any asset is adjusted pursuant to clause (b) or clause (c) of the definition of Book Value, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Book Value of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Book Value of the asset) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses;

 

(d)                                  Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Book Value;

 

(e)                                   In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such taxable year;

 

EXHIBIT A- 6



 

(f)                                    To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Account balances as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses; and

 

(g)                                   Any items that are allocated pursuant to Section 6.2(b) through (d) shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in clauses (a) through (f) hereof but shall not be taken into account in computing Profits and Losses.

 

Proportionate Fraction ” means, with respect to the Tag Offeror or the Tag Offeree desiring to Dispose of Series A Units pursuant to Section 7.5, a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of issued and outstanding Series A Units that the Tag Offeror or the Tag Offeree desire to Dispose of pursuant to Section 7.5 (as set forth in the applicable notice), and the denominator of which equals the total number of issued and outstanding Series A Units that the Tag Offeree(s) and the Tag Offeror(s) desire to Dispose of pursuant to Section 7.5 (as set forth in the applicable notice).

 

Proposed Purchaser ” is defined in Section 7.7.

 

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to any Eligible Purchaser, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which equals the number of Series A Units held of record by such Eligible Purchaser and the denominator of which equals the total number of outstanding Series A Units held by all Eligible Purchasers.

 

PT Holdco ” means PT Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

PT Holdco Nominee ” means PT Holdco or its Affiliates or any officer, director, partner, employee or other agent of PT Holdco or its Affiliates.

 

PT Intermediate ” is defined in the Recitals.

 

PT Holdings ” is defined in the Recitals.

 

Qualified Public Offering ” means any firm commitment underwritten initial public offering by the Company of Membership Interests pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act (a) for which aggregate cash proceeds to be received by the Company from such offering (without deducting underwriting discounts, expenses and commissions) are at least $35,000,000, and (b) pursuant to which such shares of common stock are authorized and approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange or admitted to trading and quoted in the Nasdaq Global Market system.

 

Regulatory Allocations ” is defined in Section 6.2(c).

 

Relative ” means, with respect to any individual, (a) such individual’s spouse, (b) any direct descendant, parent, grandparent, great grandparent or sibling (in each case whether by blood or adoption), and (c) the spouse of an individual described in clause (b).

 

Renounced Business Opportunity ” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

EXHIBIT A- 7



 

Representatives ” is defined in Section 10.5(b).

 

Requesting Purchaser ” is defined in Section 7.8(a).

 

Resign, Resigning or Resignation ” means the resignation, withdrawal or retirement of a Member from the Company as a Member.

 

Safe Harbors ” is defined in Section 7.1(c).

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute thereto and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Series A Units ” is defined in Section 3.1(a).

 

Subsidiary ” means (a) any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity a majority of the Capital Stock of which having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, with power to vote, by the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company, (b) a partnership in which the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiary is a general partner or (c) a limited liability company in which the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company is a managing member or sole manager.

 

Substituted Member ” means any Person who acquires Units from a Member and is admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.6.

 

Tax Distribution Date ” is defined in Section 6.1(b).

 

Tax Matters Member ” has the meaning assigned to the term “ tax matters partner ” in Code Section 6231(a)(7) and the meaning set forth in Section 11.4(a).

 

Third Party ” with respect to any Member means any Person, including any other Member, that is not a Permitted Transferee with respect to such first Member or the original holder of the related interest.

 

Third Party Tag Offer ” is defined in Section 7.5(a).

 

Treasury Regulations ” means the regulations promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code.

 

Unit Purchase Agreement ” is defined in Section 3.2.

 

Units ” shall mean, collectively, any units comprising or representing the Membership Interests of the Company, including the Series A Units.

 

EXHIBIT A- 8



 

EXHIBIT B

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

See Attached

 

EXHIBIT B- 1



 

EXHIBIT C

 

SPOUSAL AGREEMENT

 

The spouse of the Member executing the foregoing Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Presentation Technologies, LLC (or the counterpart signature page above) is aware of, understands and consents to the provisions of the foregoing Agreement and its binding effect upon any community property interest or marital settlement awards he or she may now or hereafter own or receive, and agrees that the termination of his or her marital relationship with such Member for any reason shall not have the effect of removing any Units subject to the foregoing Agreement from the coverage thereof and that his or her awareness, understanding, consent and agreement is evidenced by his or her signature below.

 

 

 

 

[Spouse’s Name]

 

EXHIBIT C- 1



 

EXHIBIT D

 

ADDENDUM AGREEMENT

 

This Addendum Agreement is made this     day of               , 20   , by and between                        (the “ Transferee ”) and Presentation Technologies, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), pursuant to the terms of the  Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of [      ], 2017, including all exhibits and schedules thereto (the “ Agreement ”).  Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Members entered into the Agreement to impose certain restrictions and obligations upon themselves, and to provide certain rights, with respect to the Company and its Units; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Members have required in the Agreement that all Persons to whom Units of the Company are transferred and all other Persons acquiring Units must enter into an Addendum Agreement binding the Transferee and the Transferee’s spouse to the Agreement to the same extent as if they were original parties thereto and imposing the same restrictions and obligations on the Transferee, the Transferee’s spouse and the Units to be acquired by the Transferee as are imposed upon the Members under the Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties and as a condition of the purchase or receipt by the Transferee of the Units, the Transferee acknowledges and agrees as follows:

 

1.                                       The Transferee has received and read the Agreement and acknowledges that the Transferee is acquiring Units subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

 

2.                                       The Transferee agrees that the Units acquired or to be acquired by the Transferee are bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement, and hereby joins in, and agrees to be bound by, and shall have the benefit of, all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement to the same extent as if the Transferee were an original party to the Agreement, including making the representations therein as of the date hereof; provided, however , that the Transferee’s joinder in the Agreement shall not constitute admission of the Transferee  as a Member unless and until the Transferee is duly admitted in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.  This Addendum Agreement shall be attached to and become a part of the Agreement.

 

3.                                       Any notice required as permitted by the Agreement shall be given to Transferee at the address listed beneath the Transferee’s signature below.

 

4.                                       The Transferee is acquiring Series A Units.

 

5.                                       The spouse of the Transferee is aware of, understands and consents to the provisions of the Agreement and its binding effect upon any community property interest or marital settlement awards he or she may now or hereafter own or receive, and agrees that the termination of his or her marital relationship with such Member for any reason shall not have the effect of removing any including Units

 

EXHIBIT D- 1



 

subject to the Agreement from the coverage thereof and that his or her awareness, understanding, consent and agreement is evidenced by his or her signature below.

 

 

 

 

Transferee

 

Transferee’s Spouse

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGREED TO on behalf of the Members of the Company pursuant to Section 7.6 of the Agreement.

 

 

Presentation Technologies, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

EXHIBIT D- 2



 

SCHEDULE I

 

SERIES A UNITHOLDERS

 

 

 

Capital Account as

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of the Effective

 

Series A

 

Percentage 

 

Member /Address

 

Date

 

Units

 

Interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Member:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PT Holdco, LLC

 

$

[15,925,000]

 

850,000

 

85.0

%

c/o AHA Service Management, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dallas, TX  75254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attn: David Brooks, General Counsel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Email: dbrooks@ashfordinc.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PT Intermediate, LLC

 

$

[2,810,294]

 

150,000

 

15.0

%

c/o J&S Audio Visual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9150 N. Royal Lane, Suite 150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irving, Texas 75063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Email: Monroej@jsav.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attn: Monroe Jost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 4100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dallas, Texas 75201

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attn: J. Kenneth Menges Jr., P.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Email: kmenges@akingump.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

[18,735,294]

 

1,000,000

 

100.00

%

TOTAL:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1



 

SCHEDULE II

 

Initial Board of Managers

 

PT Holdco Managers :

 

Ashford, Inc.

 

AHA Service Management, LLC

 

PT Intermediate Manager :

 

Monroe Jost

 

2