UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 


 

 

 

Date of Report

 

 

 

 

 

(Date of earliest

 

 

 

 

 

event reported):

August 23, 2017

 

 

 

DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

  001-34728  

 

134275891

(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation)

 

(Commission File
Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

7777 North 73rd Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(414) 354-2310

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

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

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o                                     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o                                     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                                     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o                                     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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    o

 

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.    o

 

 

 



 

Item 5.02 .                                         Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers .

 

On August 23, 2017, Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Company ”) announced that Robert (Bob) McCormick, the Company’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, effective August 28, 2017.  In his new role, Mr. McCormick will assume day-to-day responsibility for both of the Company’s reporting segments and will continue to report to James L. Janik, the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  The Company also announced that Sarah C. Lauber will join the Company in the role of Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and serve as the Company’s principal financial officer, also effective as of August 28, 2017.

 

Mr. McCormick, 56, most recently served as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2004 and as the Company’s Secretary since May 2005.

 

Mrs. Lauber, 46, most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Jason Industries, Inc. since January 2016 and as Jason Industries’ Chief Financial Officer since 2015. Prior to joining Jason Industries, Mrs. Lauber served as Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis at Regal Beloit Corporation from 2011 until 2015. Mrs. Lauber previously served as Chief Financial Officer of A.O. Smith Corporation’s Electrical Products Company (“ EPC ”) from 2002 until EPC was acquired by Regal Beloit in 2011. Mrs. Lauber began her career as an accountant at KPMG, and is a certified public accountant and member of the AICPA.  Mrs. Lauber earned a Bachelor of Science in administration, with an accounting concentration, from California State University, San Bernardino, and an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

 

In connection with Mrs. Lauber’s appointment, she will receive a base salary of $360,000 per year and will be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus, initially targeted at 75% of her base salary upon the achievement of certain performance targets approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors pursuant to the Company’s annual incentive plan. Mrs. Lauber will also be eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term equity program for executive officers, with a target share payout level set at 75% of her prorated fiscal 2017 base salary.  Mrs. Lauber is also subject to certain customary non-competition and other covenants in connection with her employment.

 

In connection with Mr. McCormick’s promotion, he will receive an increase in his annual base salary to $450,000.  The other terms of Mr. McCormick’s compensation remain unchanged and will continue to be governed by the terms of Mr. McCormick’s Employment Agreement with the Company, dated September 7, 2004, as amended.

 

Neither Mr. McCormick nor Mrs. Lauber were elected to their officer positions pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between the officer and any other person. There are no related party transactions between the Company and either of Mr. McCormick or Mrs. Lauber, and no family relationships exist between Mr. McCormick or Mrs. Lauber and any of the directors or officers of the Company.

 

The foregoing summary of the terms of Mrs. Lauber’s employment with the Company is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Employment Agreement between Sarah C. Lauber and Douglas Dynamics, LLC, effective August 28, 2017, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

In connection with and contingent upon the effective date of the election on August 28, 2017 of Mrs. Lauber as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and Mr. McCormick as Chief Operating Officer, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, which replaced in their entirety the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws.  The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws are substantially identical to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, except that the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws amend Article V to separate the roles and responsibilities of the President and Chief Operating Officer and include related conforming changes throughout the document.  The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws will become effective on August 28, 2017.

 

The forgoing description of the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 .                                         Financial Statements and Exhibits .

 

(a)                                  Not applicable.

 

(b)                                  Not applicable.

 

(c)                                   Not applicable.

 

(d)                                  Exhibits .  The following exhibits are being filed herewith:

 

(3.1)                        Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Douglas Dynamics, Inc.

 

(10.1)                 Employment Agreement between Sarah C. Lauber and Douglas Dynamics, LLC, effective August 28, 2017.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

Date: August 23, 2017

By:

/s/ James L. Janik

 

 

James L. Janik

 

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, INC.

 

Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

 

 

 

 

(3.1)

 

Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Douglas Dynamics, Inc.

 

 

 

(10.1)

 

Employment Agreement between Sarah C. Lauber and Douglas Dynamics, LLC, effective August 28, 2017.

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, INC.

(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

 

 

ARTICLE I.
CORPORATE OFFICES

 

Section 1.01                              Registered Office .  The registered office of the Corporation shall be fixed in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

 

Section 1.02                              Other Offices .  The Corporation may also have an office or offices, and keep the books and records of the Corporation, except as may otherwise be required by law, at such other place or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II.
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 2.01                              Annual Meeting .  The annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, on such date, and at such time as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.02                              Special Meeting .  Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, a special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time only by a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.03                              Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings .

 

(a)                                  Notice of the place, if any, date, and time of all meetings of the stockholders, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law.  In the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called also shall be set forth in the notice.  Notice may be given personally, by mail or by electronic transmission in accordance with Section 232 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”).  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to each stockholder at such stockholder’s address appearing on the books of the Corporation or given by the stockholder for such purpose.  Notice by electronic transmission shall be deemed given as provided in Section 232 of the DGCL.  An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any stockholders’ meeting, executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any transfer agent of the Corporation giving the notice, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of such notice or report.  Notice shall be deemed to have been given to all stockholders of record who share an address if notice is given in accordance with the “householding” rules set forth in Rule 14a-3(e) under the Exchange Act and Section 233 of the DGCL.

 



 

(b)                                  When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, if any, date and time thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided , however , that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the meeting was originally called, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.  If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 7.07(a) of these Bylaws, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

(c)                                   Notice of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, either before or after the meeting, and to the extent permitted by law, will be waived by any stockholder by attendance thereat, in person or by proxy, except when the person objects at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 2.04                              Organization .

 

(a)                                  Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or in his or her absence by a person designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of a person so designated by the Board of Directors, by a Chairman chosen at the meeting by the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy.  The Secretary, or in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, a person whom the Chairman of the meeting shall appoint, shall act as Secretary of the meeting and keep a record of the proceedings thereof.

 

(b)                                  The Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient.  Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such Chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the Chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting and matters which are to be voted on by ballot.

 

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Section 2.05                              List of Stockholders .  The officer who has charge of the stock ledger shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, provided , however , that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the 10th day before the meeting date.  Such list shall be arranged in alphabetical order and shall show the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting at least 10 days prior to the meeting (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of meeting or (b) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation.  If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any stockholder who is present.  If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 2.05 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

Section 2.06                              Quorum .  At any meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority in voting power of all issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided , that where a separate vote by a class or series is required, the holders of a majority in voting power of all issued and outstanding stock of such class or series entitled to vote on such matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to such matter.  If a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of stockholders, then the Chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time in accordance with Section 2.07, without notice other than announcement at the meeting and except as provided in Section 2.03(b), until a quorum is present or represented.  If a quorum initially is present at any meeting of stockholders, the stockholders may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum, but if a quorum is not present at least initially, no business other than adjournment may be transacted.

 

Section 2.07                              Adjourned Meeting .  Any annual or special meeting of stockholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned for any reason from time to time by either the Chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy.  At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum may be present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

Section 2.08                              Voting .

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, each holder of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of such stock held of record by such holder on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

 

(b)                                  Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at each meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present, all corporate actions to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, and where a separate vote by class or series is required, if a quorum of such class or series is present, such act shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of such class or series entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy.

 

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Section 2.09                              Proxies .  Every person entitled to vote for directors, or on any other matter, shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy, which may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission, signed by the person and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.  A proxy shall be deemed signed if the stockholder’s name is placed on the proxy by the stockholder or the stockholder’s attorney-in-fact.  A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power.  A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or by filing another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation.  A proxy is not revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted, written notice of such death or incapacity is received by the Corporation.

 

Section 2.10                              Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations .

 

(a)                                  Annual Meeting .

 

(i)                                      Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business other than nominations to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.10(a) is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.10(a).

 

(ii)                                   For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of the foregoing paragraph, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and such business must be a proper subject for stockholder action.  To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90 th ) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such annual meeting or (y) the tenth (10 th ) day following the date on which public announcement (as defined below) of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation.  In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.  Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

 

(A)                                as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director (x) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) and (y) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;

 

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(B)                                as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made;

 

(C)                                as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made or the business is proposed:

 

(1)                                  the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and the name and address of such beneficial owner,

 

(2)                                  the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation owned of record by the stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the record date for the meeting (except as otherwise provided in Section 2.10(a)(iii) below), and,

 

(3)                                  a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination or business;

 

(D)                                as to the stockholder giving the notice or, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made or the business is proposed, as to such beneficial owner:

 

(1)                                  the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned (as defined below) by such stockholder or beneficial owner as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner as of the record date for the meeting (except as otherwise provided in Section 2.10(a)(iii) below),

 

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(2)                                  a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or other business between or among such stockholder or beneficial owner and any other person, including without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable to the stockholder or beneficial owner) and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting (except as otherwise provided in Section 2.10(a)(iii) below),

 

(3)                                  a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or beneficial owner, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the share price of any class of the Corporation’s capital stock, or maintain, increase or decrease the voting power of the stockholder or beneficial owner with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting (except as otherwise provided in Section 2.10(a)(iii) below),

 

(4)                                  a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, will engage in a solicitation with respect to the nomination or business and, if so, the name of each participant (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such solicitation and whether such person intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the business to be proposed (in person or by proxy) by the stockholder.

 

(iii)                                The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation, including information relevant to a determination whether such proposed nominee can be considered an independent director.  Notwithstanding anything in Section 2.10(a)(ii) above to the contrary, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders is different from the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.10(a) shall set forth a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, or by the opening of business on the date of the meeting (whichever is earlier), of the information required under clauses (a)(ii)(C)(2) and (a)(ii)(D)(1)—(3) of this Section 2.10 and such information when provided to the Corporation shall be current as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

(iv)                               This Section 2.10(a) shall not apply to a proposal or nomination proposed to be made by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present the proposal or nomination at an annual or special meeting only pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or any other rule promulgated under Section 14 of the Exchange Act and such proposal or nominee has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such meeting.

 

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(b)                                  Special Meeting .  Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting.  Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii)  provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.10(b) is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.10.  In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the notice required by paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.10 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120 th ) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10 th ) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting.  In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(c)                                   General .

 

(i)                                      Except as otherwise provided by law, only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10 shall be eligible to be elected at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10.  The Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by clause (a)(ii)(D)(4) of this Section 2.10).  If any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.10, then except as otherwise provided by law, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder does not provide the information required under clauses (a)(ii)(C)(2) and (a)(ii)(D)(1)—(3) of this Section 2.10 to the Corporation within the times frames specified herein, or if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation.  For purposes of this Section 2.10, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder (or a reliable reproduction or electronic transmission of the writing) delivered to the Corporation prior to the making of such nomination or proposal at such meeting by such stockholder stating that such person is authorized to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders.

 

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(ii)                                   For purposes of this Section 2.10, a “ public announcement ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  For purposes of clause (a)(ii)(D)(1) of this Section 2.10, shares shall be treated as “ beneficially owned ” by a person if the person beneficially owns such shares, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder or has or shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing):  (A) the right to acquire such shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a condition or both), (B) the right to vote such shares, alone or in concert with others and/or (C) investment power with respect to such shares, including the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such shares.

 

(iii)                                Nothing in this Section 2.10 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 2.11                              No Action by Written Consent .  Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly held meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which a quorum is present or represented, and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

 

Section 2.12                              Inspectors of Election .  Before any meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment.  If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the Chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder or a stockholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.  Inspectors need not be stockholders.  No director or nominee for the office of director shall be appointed such an inspector.

 

Such inspectors shall:

 

(a)                                  determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies;

 

(b)                                  receive votes, ballots or consents;

 

(c)                                   hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;

 

(d)                                  count and tabulate all votes or consents;

 

(e)                                   determine when the polls shall close;

 

(f)                                    determine the result; and

 

(g)                                   do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders.

 

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The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical.  Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

Section 2.13                              Meetings by Remote Communications .  The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211 (a)(2) of the DGCL.  If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication (a) participate in a meeting of stockholders and (b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder; (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE III.
DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.01                              Powers .  Subject to the provisions of the DGCL and to any limitations in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.  In addition to the powers and authorities these Bylaws expressly confer upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

Section 3.02                              Number, Term of Office and Election .  Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the Board of Directors shall consist of such number of directors as is fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

With the exception of the first Board of Directors, which shall be elected by the incorporator, and except as provided in Section 3.03, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the stockholders’ annual meeting in each year.  Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, wherein other qualifications for directors may be prescribed.

 

Section 3.03                              Vacancies .  Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more series of preferred stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall, unless otherwise provided by law or by resolution of the Board of Directors, be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and directors so chosen shall hold office until the expiration of the term of office of the director whom he or she has replaced or until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified.  No decrease in the authorized number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

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Section 3.04                              Resignations and Removal .

 

(a)                                  Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Secretary.  Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified in such notice or, if the time be not specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Secretary, as the case may be.  Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

(b)                                  Except for such additional directors, if any, as are elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

Section 3.05                              Regular Meetings .  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place or places, on such date or dates and at such time or times, as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors; provided that no fewer than one regular meeting per year shall be held.  A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.

 

Section 3.06                              Special Meetings .  Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the Board of Directors then in office.  The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place and time of such meetings.  Notice of each such meeting shall be given to each director, if by mail, addressed to such director as his or her residence or usual place of business, at least five (5) days before the day on which such meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to such director at such place by telecopy, telegraph, electronic transmission or other form of recorded communication, or be delivered personally or by telephone, in each case at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time set for such meeting.  Notice of any meeting need not be given to director who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a waiver of such notice or who shall attend such meeting without protesting, prior to or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such director.  A notice of special meeting need not state the purpose of such meeting, and, unless indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

 

Section 3.07                              Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone .  Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors or committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 3.08                              Quorum .  Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, and the vote of a majority of the directors present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors.  The Chairman of the meeting or a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to another time and place whether or not a quorum is present.  At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.  If a quorum initially is present at any meeting of directors, the directors may continue to transact business, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum, upon resolution of at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting prior to the loss of such quorum.

 

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Section 3.09                              Board of Directors Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting .  Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, provided that all members of the Board of Directors consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board of Directors.  Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.  Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.10                              Chairman of the Board .  The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at meetings of stockholders (except as otherwise provided in Section 2.04(a)) and meetings of directors and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  If the Chairman of the Board is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, another director chosen by the Board of Directors shall preside.

 

Section 3.11                              Rules and Regulations .  The Board of Directors shall adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws for the conduct of its meetings and management of the affairs of the Corporation as the Board of Directors shall deem proper.

 

Section 3.12                              Fees and Compensation of Directors .  Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services and such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.  This Section 3.12 shall not be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving compensation for those services.

 

Section 3.13                              Emergency Bylaws .  In the event of any emergency, disaster or catastrophe, as referred to in Section 110 of the DGCL, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors or a standing committee of the Board of Directors cannot readily be convened for action, then the director or directors in attendance at the meeting shall constitute a quorum.  Such director or directors in attendance may further take action to appoint one or more of themselves or other directors to membership on any standing or temporary committees of the Board of Directors as they shall deem necessary and appropriate.

 

ARTICLE IV.
COMMITTEES

 

Section 4.01                              Committees of the Board of Directors .  The Board of Directors may, by resolution, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation.  The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.  In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.  Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require

 

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it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters:  (a) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the Corporation.  All committees of the Board of Directors shall keep minutes of their meetings and shall report their proceedings to the Board of Directors when requested or required by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.02                              Meetings and Action of Committees .  Any committee of the Board of Directors may adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws for the conduct of its meetings as such committee may deem proper.

 

ARTICLE V.
OFFICERS

 

Section 5.01                              Officers .  The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President and Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Controller and such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors, each to have such authority, functions or duties as set forth in these Bylaws or as determined by the Board of Directors.  Each officer shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and until such person’s successor shall have been duly chosen and qualified, or until such person’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal.  Any two of such offices may be held by the same person; provided , however , that no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers.

 

Section 5.02                              Compensation .  The salaries of the officers of the Corporation and the manner and time of the payment of such salaries shall be fixed and determined by the Board of Directors and may be altered by the Board of Directors from time to time as it deems appropriate, subject to the rights, if any, of such officers under any contract of employment.

 

Section 5.03                              Removal, Resignation and Vacancies .  Any officer of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors, without prejudice to the rights, if any, of such officer under any contract to which it is a party.  Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation, without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which such officer is a party.  If any vacancy occurs in any office of the Corporation, the Board of Directors may elect a successor to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor shall have been duly chosen and qualified.

 

Section 5.04                              President and Chief Executive Officer .  The President and Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall be responsible for corporate policy and strategy.  Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws, all other officers of the Corporation shall report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer or as otherwise determined by the President and Chief Executive Officer.  The President and Chief Executive Officer shall, if present and in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, preside at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.05                              Chief Operating Officer .  The Chief Operating Officer shall have general responsibility for the management and control of the operations of the Corporation.  The Chief Operating Officer shall have the power to affix the signature of the Corporation to all contracts that have been authorized by the Board of Directors or the President and Chief Executive Officer.  The Chief Operating Officer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as such officer may agree with the President and Chief Executive Officer or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

 

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Section 5.06                              Chief Financial Officer .  The Chief Financial Officer shall exercise all the powers and perform the duties of the office of the chief financial officer and in general have overall supervision of the financial operations of the Corporation.  The Chief Financial Officer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as such officer may agree with the President and Chief Executive Officer or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

 

Section 5.07                              Vice Presidents .  The Vice President shall have such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by his or her superior officer or the President and Chief Executive Officer.  A Vice President shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as such officer may agree with the President and Chief Executive Officer or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

 

Section 5.08                              Treasurer .  The Treasurer shall supervise and be responsible for all the funds and securities of the Corporation, the deposit of all moneys and other valuables to the credit of the Corporation in depositories of the Corporation, borrowings and compliance with the provisions of all indentures, agreements and instruments governing such borrowings to which the Corporation is a party, the disbursement of funds of the Corporation and the investment of its funds, and in general shall perform all of the duties incident to the office of the Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as such officer may agree with the President and Chief Executive Officer or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

 

Section 5.09                              Controller .  The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Corporation.  The Controller shall, when requested, counsel with any advice the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as such officer may agree with the President and Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Operating Officer or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

 

Section 5.10                              Secretary .  The powers and duties of the Secretary are:  (i) to act as Secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors, of the committees of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders and to record the proceedings of such meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; (ii) to see that all notices required to be given by the Corporation are duly given and served; (iii) to act as custodian of the seal of the Corporation and affix the seal or cause it to be affixed to all certificates of stock of the Corporation and to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; (iv) to have charge of the books, records and papers of the Corporation and see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and (v) to perform all of the duties incident to the office of Secretary.  The Secretary shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as such officer may agree with the President and Chief Executive Officer or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

 

Section 5.11                              Additional Matters .  The President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation shall have the authority to designate employees of the Corporation to have the title of Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary.  Any employee so designated shall have the powers and duties determined by the officer making such designation.  The persons upon whom such titles are conferred shall not be deemed officers of the Corporation unless elected by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 5.12                              Checks; Drafts; Evidences of Indebtedness .  From time to time, the Board of Directors shall determine by resolution which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money, notes, bonds, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable by the Corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall sign or endorse such instruments.

 

Section 5.13                              Corporate Contracts and Instruments; How Executed .  Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation.  Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.  Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

 

Section 5.14                              Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations .  The President and Chief Executive Officer or any other officer of the Corporation authorized by the Board of Directors or the President and Chief Executive Officer is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of the Corporation.  The authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by the person having such authority.

 

ARTICLE VI.
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

 

Section 6.01                              Right to Indemnification .  Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute mechanism, inquiry, judicial administrative or legislative hearing, investigation or any other threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise, including any and all appeals, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other nature (hereinafter a “ proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or while a director or officer of the Corporation is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “ indemnitee ”), or by reason of anything done or not done by him or her in any such capacity, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of the indemnitee) actually and reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided , however , that, except as provided in Section 6.03 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding, or part thereof (including claims and counterclaims), initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 6.02                              Right to Advancement of Expenses .  In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 6.01, an indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “ advancement of expenses ”); provided , however , that an advancement of expenses shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “ undertaking ”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision of a court of competent jurisdiction from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “ final adjudication ”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 6.02 or otherwise.

 

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Section 6.03                              Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit .  If a request for indemnification under Section 6.01 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days, or if a request for an advancement of expenses under Section 6.02 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 20 days, after a written request has been received by the Corporation, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware seeking an adjudication of entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses.  If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit to the fullest extent permitted by law.  In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.  Further, in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.  Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit.  In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VI or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

Section 6.04                              Non-Exclusivity of Rights .  The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders or directors, provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws or otherwise.

 

Section 6.05                              Insurance .  The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

Section 6.06                              Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation .  The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

 

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Section 6.07                              Nature of Rights .  The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article VI shall be contract rights that shall vest at the time an individual becomes a director or officer of the Corporation and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer or trustee and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.  Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article VI that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.

 

Section 6.08                              Settlement of Claims .  The Corporation shall not be liable to indemnify any indemnitee under this Article VI for any amounts paid in settlement of any proceeding effected without the Corporation’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, or for any judicial award if the Corporation was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such proceeding.

 

Section 6.09                              Subrogation .  In the event of payment under this Article VI, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

Section 6.10                              Severability .  If any provision or provisions of this Article VI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not by themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent of the parties that the Corporation provide protection to the indemnitee to the fullest enforceable extent.

 

ARTICLE VII.
CAPITAL STOCK

 

Section 7.01                              Certificates of Stock .  The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of stock shall be uncertificated shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.  Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation certifying the number of shares owned by such holder in the Corporation.  Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles or other electronic formats.  In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile or other electronic signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

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Section 7.02                              Special Designation on Certificates .  If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided , however , that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.  Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this Section 7.02 or Section 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL or with respect to this Section 7.02 a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.  Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.

 

Section 7.03                              Transfers of Stock .  Transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation upon authorization by the registered holder thereof or by such holder’s attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary or a transfer agent for such stock, and if such shares are represented by a certificate, upon surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power and the payment of any taxes thereon; provided , however , that the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize and enforce any lawful restriction on transfer.

 

Section 7.04                              Lost Certificates .  The Corporation may issue a new share certificate or new certificate for any other security in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or the owner’s legal representative to give the Corporation a bond (or other adequate security) sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it (including any expense or liability) on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.  The Board of Directors may adopt such other provisions and restrictions with reference to lost certificates, not inconsistent with applicable law, as it shall in its discretion deem appropriate.

 

Section 7.05                              Addresses of Stockholders .  Each stockholder shall designate to the Secretary an address at which notices of meetings and all other corporate notices may be served or mailed to such stockholder and, if any stockholder shall fail to so designate such an address, corporate notices may be served upon such stockholder by mail directed to the mailing address, if any, as the same appears in the stock ledger of the Corporation or at the last known mailing address of such stockholder.

 

Section 7.06                              Registered Stockholders .  The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.

 

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Section 7.07                              Record Date for Determining Stockholders .

 

(a)                                  In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting.  If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination.  If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.  A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided , however , that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

 

(b)                                  In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action.  If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 7.08                              Regulations .  The Board of Directors may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VIII.
GENERAL MATTERS

 

Section 8.01                              Fiscal Year .  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January of each year and end on the last day of December of the same year, or such other twelve (12) consecutive months as the Board of Directors may designate..

 

Section 8.02                              Facsimile Signatures .  In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws, facsimile or other electronic signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

 

Section 8.03                              Corporate Seal .  The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary.  If and when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.

 

Section 8.04                              Maintenance and Inspection of Records .  The Corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the Board of Directors, keep a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these Bylaws as amended to date, accounting books and other records.

 

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Section 8.05                              Reliance Upon Books, Reports and Records .  Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

 

Section 8.06                              Time Periods .  In applying any provision of these Bylaws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.

 

Section 8.07                              Subject to Law and Certificate of Incorporation .  All powers, duties and responsibilities provided for in these Bylaws, whether or not explicitly so qualified, are qualified by the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

 

ARTICLE IX.
AMENDMENTS

 

Section 9.01                              Amendments .  In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws.  In addition to any requirements of law and any other provision of these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation, and notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, any provision of these Bylaws.

 

The foregoing Third Amended and Restated Bylaws are effective as of August 28, 2017.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is entered into as of August 28, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between Sarah Lauber, an individual (“ Executive ”), and Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”).

 

1.             Employment by the Company .

 

(a)           Full Time and Best Efforts . Subject to the terms set forth herein, the Company agrees to employ Executive as its Chief Financial Officer and in such other executive capacities as may be requested from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors (the  Board ) or a duly authorized committee thereof, and Executive hereby accepts such employment.  Executive shall render such other services for each of the Company and corporations that control, are controlled by or are under common control with the Company, as the case may be, and to successor entities and assignees of the Company, as the case may be (the “ Affiliates ”) as the Company may from time to time reasonably request and shall be consistent with the duties Executive is to perform for the Company and with Executive’s experience. During the term of her employment with the Company, Executive will devote her full business time and use her best efforts to advance the business and welfare of the Company, and will not engage in any other employment or business activities for any direct or indirect remuneration that would be directly harmful or detrimental to, or that may compete with, the business and affairs of the Company, or that would interfere with her duties hereunder.

 

(b)           Duties . Executive shall serve in an executive capacity and shall perform such duties as are customarily associated with her position, consistent with the Bylaws of the Company, and as reasonably required by the Board.

 

(c)           Company Policies . The employment relationship between the parties shall be governed by the general employment policies and practices of the Company, including but not limited to those relating to protection of confidential information and assignment of inventions, except that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.

 

2.             Compensation and Benefits .

 

(a)           Base Salary . Executive shall receive for services to be rendered hereunder a salary at the rate of $360,000 per year, payable in biweekly payments of $13,846.15 and subject to payroll deductions as may be necessary or customary in respect of the Company’s salaried employees (the  Base Salary ). The Base Salary will be reviewed by and shall be subject to increase (but not decrease) at the sole discretion of the Board each year during the term of this Agreement.

 

(b)           Participation in Benefit Plans; Vacation . During the term hereof, Executive shall be entitled to participate in any group insurance, hospitalization, medical, dental, health, accident, disability, 401(k) retirement savings plan or similar plan or program of the Company now existing or established hereafter to the extent that she is eligible under the general provisions thereof. The Company may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, amend, eliminate or establish additional benefit programs as it deems appropriate. Executive shall also participate in all fringe benefits, including without limitation annual vacation time, offered by the Company to any of its executives at such Executive’s level.  Executive shall initially be eligible for three weeks of vacation time for the period from the Effective Date to the date Executive enters the standard vacation schedule applicable to executives of the Company at such Executive’s level.  Notwithstanding anything otherwise provided under this Agreement, nothing contained herein shall obligate the Company or its Affiliates to continue or maintain any particular benefit plan or program on an ongoing basis.

 

3.             Bonus .

 

(a)           Annual Incentive Plan . Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan, through which the Company awards performance-based cash bonuses on an annual calendar year basis provided the Company achieves performance targets established by the Company’s management and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board for such calendar year. The Executive shall be eligible to participate at a target bonus level of 75% of her Base Salary.  Executive’s participation in such plan shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the plan as then in effect. For calendar year 2017, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Annual Incentive Plan on a pro rata basis for the portion of such calendar year that Executive was employed by the Company.

 

(b)           If Executive resigns before the last day of a calendar year (other than for a Material Breach (as hereinafter defined)) or is discharged by the Company for Cause before the last day of such calendar year, Executive will not be entitled to receive a performance-based bonus pursuant to Section 3(a) for such calendar year. If Executive’s employment terminates prior to the last day of a calendar year for any other reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive a pro rata part of the performance-based bonus for such calendar year pursuant to Section 3(a) only if the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, elects to pay a pro rata part of the performance-based bonus to Executive.

 

(c)           Stock Incentive Plan .  Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2010 Stock Plan, through which the Company grants equity awards to its key employees, pursuant to the separate terms and conditions of the 2010 Stock Plan.  For calendar year 2017, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2010 Stock Plan at 75% of Executive’s Base Salary, prorated for the portion of such calendar year that Executive was employed by the Company.  For calendar years 2018 and following, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2010 Stock Plan at 75% of Executive’s Base Salary.  Any grants made to the Executive under the 2010 Stock Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions of such plan and any applicable award agreements.

 



 

4.             Reasonable Business Expenses and Support . Executive shall be reimbursed for documented and reasonable business expenses in connection with the performance of her duties hereunder, including appropriate professional fees and dues. Executive shall be furnished reasonable office space, assistance, including an administrative assistant and facilities.

 

5.             Termination of Employment . The date on which Executive’s employment by the Company ceases, under any of the following circumstances, shall be defined herein as the “ Termination Date .”

 

(a)           Termination for Cause .

 

(i)            Termination; Payment of Accrued Salary and Vacation . The Board may terminate Executive’s employment with the Company at any time for Cause, immediately upon notice to Executive of the circumstances leading to such termination for Cause. In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, Executive shall receive payment for all accrued salary and vacation time through the Termination Date, which in this event shall be the date upon which notice of termination is given. The Company shall have no further obligation to pay severance of any kind whether under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

(ii)           Definition of Cause . “ Cause ” means the occurrence or existence of any of the following with respect to Executive, as determined in good faith by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Board: (a) a material breach by Executive of any of her material obligations hereunder which remains uncured after the lapse of 30 days following the date that the Company has given Executive written notice thereof; (b) a material breach by the Executive of her duty not to engage in any transaction that represents, directly or indirectly, self-dealing with the Company or any of its Affiliates which has not been approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Board, if in any such case such material breach remains uncured after the lapse of 30 days following the date that the Company has given the Executive written notice thereof; (c) the repeated material breach by the Executive of any material duty referred to in clause (a) or (b) above as to which at least two (2) written notices have been given pursuant to such clause (a) or (b); (d) any act of misappropriation, embezzlement, intentional fraud or similar conduct involving the Company or any of its Affiliates; (e) the conviction or the plea of nolo contendere or the equivalent in respect of a felony involving moral turpitude; (f) intentional infliction of any damage of a material nature to any property of the Company or its Affiliates; or (g) the repeated non- prescription abuse of any controlled substance or the repeated abuse of alcohol or any other non-controlled substance which, in any case described in this clause, the Board reasonably determines renders the Executive unfit to serve in her capacity as an officer or employee of the Company or its Affiliates.

 

(b)           Termination by Executive .

 

(i)            Executive shall have the right, at her election, to terminate her employment with the Company by written notice to the Company to that effect if (A) the Company shall have failed to perform a material condition or covenant of this Agreement (“ Material Breach ”); provided , however , that termination for Material Breach will not be effective until Executive shall have given written notice specifying the claimed breach and, provided such breach is curable, the Company fails to correct the claimed breach within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the applicable notice (but within ten (10) days if the failure to perform is a failure to pay monies when due under the terms of this Agreement), or (B) the Company repeatedly commits a Material Breach as to which at least two (2) written notices have been given pursuant to this Section 5(b)(i). If the Executive terminates her employment with the Company pursuant to this Section 5(b)(i), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive the benefits provided in Section 5(d)(i) hereof.

 

(ii)           Executive shall have the right, at her election, to terminate her employment with the Company for reason other than a Material Breach by 60 days’ prior written notice to that effect. In the event of termination by Executive pursuant to this Section 5(b)(ii), the Company shall have no termination payment requirements except that Executive shall receive the accrued portion of any salary and vacation hereunder through the Termination Date, less requisite withholdings for tax and social security purposes.

 

(c)           Termination Upon Disability . The Company may terminate Executive’s employment in the event Executive suffers a disability that renders Executive unable to perform the essential functions of her position, even with reasonable accommodation, for sixty (60) consecutive days or for ninety (90) days within any one hundred eighty (180) day period. After the Termination Date, which in this event shall be the date upon which notice of termination is given, no further compensation will be payable under this Agreement except that Executive shall receive the accrued portion of any salary and vacation hereunder through the Termination Date, less requisite withholdings for tax and social security purposes.

 

(d)           Termination by Company Without Cause; Termination by Executive Pursuant to Section 5(b)(i) . The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time for other than Cause or disability, pursuant to the following termination payment requirements and upon not less than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to that effect.

 

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(i)            Termination Payments . In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Executive pursuant to Section 5(b)(i) hereof, the Company shall pay Executive as severance an amount equal to twelve (12) months of her then Base Salary. Such remuneration shall be paid, less requisite withholdings for tax and social security purposes, (A) in the case of Base Salary, over such term in monthly pro rata payments commencing as of the Termination Date and (B) in the case of the accrued portion of any vacation, promptly after such Termination Date in conformity with applicable law.

 

(ii)           The Company shall not be obligated to pay any termination payments under Sections 5(d)(i) above if Executive breaches in any material way the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement (as defined below).

 

(e)           Benefits Upon Termination . All benefits provided under Section 2(b) shall be extended, at Executive’s election and cost (such cost to Executive to be in the same amount as the cost for providing such benefits to existing employees), to the extent permitted by the Company’s insurance policies and benefit plans, for one year after Executive’s Termination Date, except (i) as required by law (e.g., COBRA health insurance continuation election) or (ii) in the event of a termination described in Section 5(a).

 

(f)            Termination Upon Death . If Executive dies prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the Company shall (i) continue coverage of Executive’s dependents (if any) under all benefit plans or programs of the type listed above in Section 2(b) herein for a period of six (6) months and (ii) pay to Executive’s estate the accrued portion of any salary and vacation through the Termination Date, less requisite withholdings for tax and social security purposes.

 

(g)           Termination Upon Retirement . Executive shall provide notice to the Company of her retirement prior to the term of this Agreement not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the effective date of Executive’s retirement as set forth in such notice (the “ Retirement Notice ”). In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive’s retirement prior to the term of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the effective date of Executive’s retirement as set forth in the Retirement Notice. After the Termination Date, no further compensation will be payable under this Agreement except that Executive shall receive the accrued portion of any salary and vacation hereunder through the Termination Date, less requisite withholdings for tax and social security purposes.

 

(h)           Duty to Mitigate; Termination of Severance Benefits . Executive agrees that upon any termination pursuant to either of Section 5(b) or 5(d) hereof, Executive shall have a duty to mitigate her damages hereunder. The Company and Executive further agree that if, at any time following such a termination but prior to the expiration of the period during which monthly severance benefits are to be paid by the Company with respect to such termination, Executive secures employment, such monthly severance benefits shall not be reduced by the amount of monthly compensation Executive is to receive from such new employment as long as Executive does not breach in any material way the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement; provided , however , that if Executive breaches in any material way the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to pay any such severance benefits in accordance with Section 5(d)(ii) above.

 

6.             Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement . Executive and the Company hereby acknowledge that, as of the date hereof, Executive and the Company have entered into a separate Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement governing matters related to confidential information, noncompetition, nonsolicitation of employees and assignment of inventions, among others, in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”).  Executive and the Company hereby ratify the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement and hereby agree that, notwithstanding the execution of this Agreement or the provisions of Section 7(c), the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein.

 

7.             Miscellaneous .

 

(a)           Notices . Any notices provided hereunder must be in writing and shall be deemed effective upon the earlier of two days following personal delivery (including personal delivery facsimile), or the fourth day after mailing by reputable overnight courier or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

To the Company:

 

Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C.

7777 North 73rd Street

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile: (414) 354-5939

 

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With a copy to:

 

Foley & Lardner LLP
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Attention: Jay O. Rothman
Facsimile: (414) 297-4900

 

To Executive:

 

Sarah Lauber
541 East Erie Street Unit 207
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Facsimile: (           )               —

 

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party will have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

 

(b)           Severability . Any provision of this Agreement which is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction and subject to this paragraph be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or rendering that or any other provisions of this Agreement invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction. If any covenant should be deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable because its scope is considered excessive, such covenant shall be modified so that the scope of the covenant is reduced only to the minimum extent necessary to render the modified covenant valid, legal and enforceable.

 

(c)           Entire Agreement . This document, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, constitutes the final, complete, and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement and understanding between the parties related to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior or contemporaneous understandings, agreements, or representations by or between the parties, written or oral.

 

(d)           Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed on separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(e)           Successors and Assigns . This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, the Company, and their respective successors and assigns, except that Executive may not assign any of her duties hereunder and she may not assign any of her rights hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

(f)            Amendments . No amendments or other modifications to this Agreement may be made except by a writing signed by all parties. No amendment or waiver of this Agreement requires the consent of any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity not a party to this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any third person any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(g)           Choice of Law . All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

 

(h)           Survivorship . The provisions of this Agreement necessary to carry out the intention of the parties as expressed herein shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

(i)            Waiver . Except as provided herein, the waiver by either party of the other party’s prompt and complete performance, or breach or violation, of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation, and the failure by any party hereto to exercise any right or remedy which it may possess hereunder shall not operate nor be construed as a bar to the exercise of such right or remedy by such party upon the occurrence of any subsequent breach or violation.

 

(j)            Captions . The captions of this Agreement are for convenience and reference only and in no way define, describe, extend or limit the scope or intent of this Agreement or the intent of any provision hereof.

 

(k)           Construction . The parties acknowledge that this Agreement is the result of arm’s-length negotiations between sophisticated parties each afforded representation by legal counsel. Each and every provision of this Agreement shall be construed as though both parties participated equally in the drafting of the same, and any rule of construction that a document shall be construed against the drafting party shall not be applicable to this Agreement.

 

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8.             Arbitration .

 

(a)           Any disputes or claims arising out of or concerning the Executive’s employment or termination by the Company, whether arising under theories of liability or damages based upon contract, tort or statute, shall be determined exclusively by arbitration before a single arbitrator in accordance with the employment arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”), except as modified by this Agreement. The arbitrator’s decision shall be final and binding on all parties. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. In recognition of the fact that resolution of any disputes or claims in the courts is rarely timely or cost effective for either party, the Company and Executive enter this mutual agreement to arbitrate in order to gain the benefits of a speedy, impartial and cost-effective dispute resolution procedure.

 

(b)           Any arbitration shall be held in the Executive’s place of employment with the Company. The arbitrator shall be an attorney with substantial experience in employment matters, selected by the parties alternately striking names from a list of five such persons provided by the AAA office located nearest to the place of employment, following a request by the party seeking arbitration for a list of five such attorneys with substantial professional experience in employment matters. If either party fails to strike names from the list, the arbitrator shall be selected from the list by the other party.

 

(c)           Each party shall have the right to take the depositions of a maximum of three individuals, as deemed appropriate by such party. Each party shall also have the right to propound requests for production of documents to any party and the right to subpoena documents and witnesses for the arbitration. Additional discovery may be made only where the arbitrator selected so orders upon a showing of substantial need. The arbitrator shall have the authority to entertain a motion to dismiss and/or a motion for summary judgment by any party and shall apply the standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

 

(d)           The Company and Executive agree that they will attempt, and they intend that they and the arbitrator should use their best efforts in that attempt, to conclude the arbitration proceeding and have a final decision from the arbitrator within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of selection of the arbitrator; provided , however , that the arbitrator shall be entitled to extend such 120-day period for a total of two one hundred twenty (120) day periods. The arbitrator shall immediately deliver a written award with respect to the dispute to each of the parties, who shall promptly act in accordance therewith.

 

(e)           The Company shall pay the fees and expenses of the arbitrator. Each party shall pay its own attorney fees and costs including, without limitation, fees and costs of any experts. However, attorney fees and costs incurred by the party that prevails in any such arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 8 or any judicial action or proceeding seeking to enforce the agreement to arbitrate disputes as set forth in this Section 8 or seeking to enforce any order or award of any arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 8 may be assessed against the party or parties that do not prevail in such arbitration in such manner as the arbitrator or the court in such judicial action, as the case may be, may determine to be appropriate under the circumstances. Any controversy over whether a dispute is an arbitrable dispute or as to the interpretation or enforceability of this paragraph with respect to such arbitration shall be determined by the arbitrator.

 

(f)            In a contractual claim under this Agreement, the arbitrator shall have no authority to add, delete or modify any term of this Agreement.

 

(g)           In the event that more than one dispute is submitted to arbitration by the Company or Executive pursuant to any agreement between the Company and Executive, including under this Agreement, and one or more additional agreements to which the Company and Executive are parties, all such matters shall be consolidated into a single arbitration proceeding so as to avoid, to the extent possible, more than one simultaneous arbitration proceeding between the Company and Executive.

 

9.             409A Compliance .

 

(a)           The parties agree that this Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (“ Section 409A ”) or an exemption from Section 409A.  The Company shall undertake to administer, interpret, and construe this Agreement in a manner that does not result in the imposition on Executive of any additional tax, penalty, or interest under Section 409A, provided , however , that Executive understands and agrees that the Company shall not be held liable or responsible for any taxes, penalties, interests or other expenses incurred by Executive on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

 

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(b)           A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”  If Executive is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered deferred compensation under Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” and that is not exempt from Section 409A as involuntary separation pay or a short-term deferral (or otherwise), such payment or benefit shall be made or provided at the date which is the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Executive or (ii) the date of Executive’s death (the “ Delay Period ”).  Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Subsection 9(b) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive in a lump sum without interest, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

 

(c)           With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Section 409A, all such payments shall be made on or before the last day of calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense occurred.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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

 

 

 

/s/ Sarah Lauber 

 

By: Sarah Lauber

 

Date:

August 14, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, L.L.C.   

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ James L. Janik

 

By:

James L. Janik

 

Its:

Chairman President & CEO

 

Date:

August 11, 2017

 

[Signature page to Employment Agreement]